Accessory – A secondary part or assembly of parts that contribute to the overall function and usefulness of a machine.

Actuator – A mechanical device for moving or controlling a mechanism or system.

AIMCO Pistol Grip Handle – A device that allows ergonomic control of lifting and handling operations, specific to AIMCO products, typically mounted to a 1” handlebar.

Air Balancer – A device using compressed air to lift and balance loads, providing smooth, precise control.

Aluminum Gantry Crane – A lightweight, portable crane made of aluminum for lifting light to medium loads.

Anti-Kickback Feature – A safety feature in AIMCO manipulators that prevents sudden or uncontrolled movements of a suspended load.

Articulating Jib Crane – A jib crane with multiple pivot points, allowing greater movement and flexibility in tight spaces.

Automatic Load Leveler – A device that automatically adjusts the height of a platform or surface based on the weight of the load.

Auxiliary Hoist – A secondary hoist rope system used either in conjunction with or independently of the main hoist system.

Axis of Rotation – The vertical axis around which the crane superstructure rotates.

Axle – The shaft or spindle with which or about which a wheel rotates. On wheel-mounted cranes, it refers to a type of axle assembly including housing, gearing, differential, bearings, and mounting appurtenances.

Ballast – Weight used to supplement the weight of the machine in providing stability for lifting working loads (normally associated with mobile crane bases).

Baseplate– The base on which a pedestal of a crane is mounted to a foundation with anchor bolts.

Boom – The horizontal arm of a crane or jib that supports the load. Typically, a member hinged to the rotating superstructure and used for supporting the hoisting tackle.

Boom Stop – A device used to limit the angle of the boom at the highest recommended position.

Brake – A device used for slowing or stopping motion.

Bridge Crane – A type of overhead crane consisting of a bridge that spans across two runways.

Bumper – A protective device installed on material handling equipment to absorb shock and prevent damage.

Bus Bar System – A system of electrical conductors that provides power to moving cranes or hoists.

Cantilever Jib Crane – A type of jib crane with a horizontal arm (boom) supported at one end, capable of handling light to moderate loads.

Ceiling-Mounted Crane – A crane that is mounted to the ceiling to save floor space and increase operational range.

Chain Hoist – A hoist that uses a chain to lift heavy objects.

Clamp Hoist – A type of hoist that uses clamps to secure a load during lifting.

Clutch – A means for engagement or disengagement of power.

Column-Mounted Jib Crane – A jib crane mounted on a column or post, typically used for localized lifting tasks.

Counterbalanced Manipulator – A material handling device that uses counterweights to balance and move loads with minimal effort.

Counterweight – Weight used to supplement the weight of the machine in providing stability for lifting working loads.

Custom End Effector – A customized attachment for manipulators or cranes, designed to handle specific loads (e.g., AIMCO designs for unique applications).

Custom Manipulator – A specially designed lifting device tailored to a specific application, often involving AIMCO’s expertise.

Articulated Jib (AIMCO Mfg.)

Davit Crane – A crane with a vertical mast and a rotating boom, often used for light-duty applications.

Deadweight – The non-operational weight of a crane or lifting device.

Designated Person – A person selected or assigned by the employer or the employer’s representative as being competent to perform specific duties.

Drum – The cylindrical member around which a rope is wound for lifting and lowering the load or boom.

Drum Lifter – A specialized device for handling cylindrical drums.

Duty Cycle – The percentage of time a hoist or crane is in active use versus at rest.

Dynamic (Loading) – Loads introduced into the machine or its components due to accelerating or decelerating forces.

Electric Chain Hoist – A hoist powered by an electric motor, using a chain to lift loads.

End Truck – The wheeled assembly on the ends of a bridge crane, allowing it to move along the runways.

Ergonomic Lifting Device – A tool or system designed to reduce strain and injury risk for workers handling materials.

Explosion-Proof Hoist – A hoist designed for use in hazardous environments where flammable gases or dusts are present.

Extension Boom – An add-on to a jib or crane arm that increases the reach of the boom.

Festoon System – A system of cables and trolleys used to provide power to cranes and hoists while allowing them to move freely.

Flexible Workstation Crane – A modular crane system that can be reconfigured to suit changing workspace requirements.

Floor-Mounted Crane – A crane installed on the floor, often in workstations, for localized lifting needs.

Forklift Attachment – An accessory added to forklifts to expand their material handling capabilities.

Freestanding Jib Crane – A crane supported by its own foundation, independent of other structures.

Gantry Crane – A crane with a horizontal beam supported by legs on wheels, often portable.

Girder – The main horizontal structural member of a crane bridge.

Gripper End Effector – An attachment that grips and holds a load during lifting or handling (common in AIMCO manipulators).Ground-Supported Crane – A crane supported by the ground, typically portable or fixed in place.

Electric Chain Hoist (Demag)

Hand Chain Hoist – A manually operated hoist using a chain to lift loads.

HMI (Hoist Manufacturers Institute) Ratings – Industry standards that classify hoists based on their duty cycles and load handling capabilities.

Hoist Mechanism – A hoist drum and rope reeving system used for lifting and lowering loads.

Hoist Trolley – A wheeled device that carries a hoist along a track.

Hydraulic Lift – A lifting device powered by hydraulic fluid pressure.

Hydraulic Manipulator – A type of manipulator that uses hydraulics to assist in moving heavy or awkward loads.

Inverter Drive – A device that controls the speed of an electric motor, used in crane and hoist systems for smooth operation.

Intelligent Lifting Device – A sophisticated system that uses sensors and controls for more precise, efficient, and ergonomic lifting.

Jib – An extension attached to the boom point to provide added boom length for lifting specified loads. The jib may be in line with the boom or offset to various angles in the vertical pane of the boom.

Jib Backstop – A device that will restrain the jib from turning over backward.

Jib Crane – A crane with a horizontal arm (boom) that supports a hoist, used for localized lifting.

Jobsite – Work area defined by the construction contract.

Knuckle Boom Crane – A crane with a boom that can bend, allowing for more flexible movement in tight spaces.

Lift Assist Device – A general term describing a device that helps workers lift and move heavy objects, reducing physical strain.

Lifting Magnet – A device that uses magnetic force to lift ferrous materials without the need for hooks or clamps.

Load Block, Lower – The assembly of hook or shackle, swivel, sheaves, pins, and frame suspended by the hoisting ropes.

Load Block, Upper – The assembly of shackle, swivel, sheaves, pins, and frame suspended from the boom point.

Load Capacity – The maximum weight that a hoist or crane can safely lift.

Load Cell – A sensor used to measure the weight of a load being lifted.

Load Chain – The chain used in a chain hoist to carry the weight of the load.

Load Indicator – A device that measures the weight of the load.

Load Ratings – Crane ratings in pounds (kilograms) established by the manufacturer.

Intelligent Lifting Device (Gorbel G-Force)

Manipulator Arm – A mechanical arm used for handling materials, often with an end effector tailored to specific tasks.

Manual Hoist – A hoist operated by hand, usually using a chain or lever.

Mast (Boom) – A frame hinged at or near the boom hinge for use in connection with supporting a boom. The head of the mast is usually supported and raised or lowered by the boom hoist ropes.

Mast (Jib) – A frame hinged at or near the boom point for use in connection with supporting a jib.

Modular Crane System – A crane system that can be customized and expanded with different modules.

Monorail Crane – A crane system where the hoist travels along a single rail, often used for light-duty lifting.

Motorized Trolley – A trolley with a motor for moving the hoist along a crane beam.

Multi-Axis Manipulator – A manipulator that can move loads along multiple axes for greater control.

Nominal Load – The weight that a crane or hoist is designed to handle safely during regular operations.

Operator Pendant – A handheld control device for operating cranes and hoists.

Outriggers – Extendable or fixed members attached to the mounting base, which rest on supports at the outer ends used to support the crane.

Overhead Crane – A crane that runs on elevated tracks and spans across a working area.

Overload Protection – A safety feature in cranes and hoists that prevents them from operating if the load exceeds safe limits.

Pneumatic Hoist – A hoist powered by compressed air.

Portable Gantry Crane – A mobile, lightweight gantry crane that can be moved around a facility for lifting tasks.

Power Rotation – A feature that allows the boom or jib of a crane to rotate under motor power.

Push Button Station – A control box with push buttons for operating cranes and hoists.

Rack and Pinion System – A mechanical system using gears to move or rotate a crane’s components.

Rated Capacity – The maximum load that a crane or hoist is rated to carry under safe operating conditions.

Reach – The horizontal distance a jib or boom can extend from its support point.

Remote Control – A wireless control system for operating cranes or hoists from a distance.

Rope Hoist – A hoist that uses a rope (usually wire rope) instead of a chain for lifting loads.

Rotation (Boom) – A circular motion of the boom in a horizontal plane.

Rotary Actuator – A device used in manipulators or cranes to provide rotational motion.

Runway Beam – A beam that supports a bridge crane and allows it to move along its length.

Manipulator (AIMCO Mfg.)

Safety Catch – A mechanism that prevents accidental release of the load from the hook.

Self-Supporting Crane – A crane that does not require additional structural support from a building or other equipment.

Servo Motor Drive – A motor that provides precise control of movement, often used in cranes and manipulators for accuracy.

Single-Girder Bridge Crane – A bridge crane with one girder running across its span, supporting the trolley and hoist.

Slip Clutch – A device that allows controlled slippage in a crane mechanism to prevent overload.

Spreader Beam – A beam used to spread the load of a lift across multiple points for safer handling.

Stationary Crane – A crane that is fixed in place, used for specific lifting tasks within a limited area.

Steel Gantry Crane – A gantry crane made of steel, suitable for heavier loads compared to aluminum gantry cranes.

Suction End Effector – An attachment for manipulators that uses suction to grip and hold materials during handling.

Suspension Crane – A type of overhead crane suspended from the ceiling or another structure, used for overhead lifting.

Swivel Hook – A hook that can rotate, allowing for easier positioning of the load during a lift.

Telescoping Boom – A boom that can extend and retract, providing adjustable reach.

Torque Limiter – A safety device that limits the amount of torque applied by a crane or hoist motor to prevent overloading.

Track-Mounted Jib Crane – A jib crane mounted on a track for linear movement along a specified path.

Vacuum Lifter – A lifting device that uses vacuum technology to grip and lift non-porous materials.

Wall-Mounted Jib Crane – A jib crane mounted on a wall, used for localized lifting in workstations.

Wire Rope Hoist – A hoist that uses wire rope to lift loads, typically stronger than chain hoists for heavier loads.

Suction End Effector (AIMCO Mfg.)