RES / 07 — INDUSTRIAL COMPONENT GLOSSARY
Industrial Component Glossary
Industrial component selection depends on shared technical language. This glossary explains common terms used when discussing dimensions, tolerances, loads, motion, fluid systems, electrical interfaces, sensing, materials, specifications, standards, and component compatibility.
GLOSS / A
A
Actuator
Motion / Control
A device that converts electrical, hydraulic,
pneumatic, or another form of energy into mechanical
movement. Actuators may produce linear or rotary
motion. See
Automation + Motion Systems.
Accuracy
Measurement
The degree to which a measured or indicated value
agrees with the reference or accepted value under the
stated measurement conditions.
Axial Load
Bearings / Fasteners
Force acting approximately parallel to a shaft,
fastener, bearing axis, or other primary component
centerline.
GLOSS / B
B
Bearing
Motion Support
A component that supports relative motion while
controlling position and reducing unwanted friction.
Bearings may support radial, axial, linear, or
combined loads. See
Bearings + Bushings.
Bushing
Motion Support
A sleeve-like bearing or support element installed
between mating parts to guide motion, reduce wear,
control clearance, or protect a housing or shaft.
GLOSS / C
C
Calibration
Measurement / Quality
A documented comparison between a measuring device
and an appropriate reference used to determine
measurement error, adjustment need, or measurement
status.
Compatibility
Replacement / Selection
The degree to which two components, interfaces, or
systems can operate together while meeting required
mechanical, electrical, material, environmental, and
performance conditions. See the
Component Compatibility Guide.
Connector
Electrical Interface
A component or assembly that creates a separable
electrical interface between conductors, cables,
circuits, devices, or equipment. See
Electrical Connectors.
Continuous Rating
Performance
An operating value a component is intended to sustain
continuously under the manufacturer's stated
conditions, as opposed to a temporary, peak, or
intermittent rating.
GLOSS / D
D
Datasheet
Specification
Technical product documentation describing
dimensions, ratings, materials, performance,
interfaces, operating conditions, options, and other
information associated with a particular component
family or part.
Duty Cycle
Motors / Controls
The relationship between operating time, idle time,
load level, or repeated work cycles used to describe
how frequently and for how long equipment operates.
GLOSS / E
E
Environmental Rating
Application
A stated suitability or protection level associated
with exposure to conditions such as moisture, dust,
temperature, chemicals, washdown, vibration, or
outdoor use.
Excitation
Sensors
Electrical power supplied to a sensor or transducer
so that the device can produce its specified output
signal.
GLOSS / F
F
Fit
Dimensions / Assembly
The dimensional relationship between mating parts,
such as a shaft and bore, that determines clearance,
transition, interference, or another assembly
condition.
Flow Rate
Fluid Systems
The quantity of fluid moving through a system during
a defined amount of time. Flow may be expressed in
volumetric or mass terms depending on the
application.
GLOSS / G
G
Gear Ratio
Motion
The relationship between input and output rotation
created by a gearset or gearbox. Gear ratio affects
output speed and available torque.
Grounding
Electrical
The intentional electrical connection of equipment,
conductors, shielding, or circuits to a defined
reference or protective grounding system.
GLOSS / H
H
Hardness
Materials
A material property associated with resistance to
localized indentation, scratching, wear, or
deformation under a specified test method.
Hysteresis
Sensors / Controls
A difference in output or switching behavior
depending on whether the input condition is
increasing or decreasing.
GLOSS / I
I
Interchangeability
Standards / Replacement
The ability of one component to replace another while
satisfying the required interfaces, ratings,
dimensions, materials, function, and application
conditions. See
Interchangeable Components.
Interface
System Integration
The point or relationship where one component,
subsystem, or device connects mechanically,
electrically, fluidically, digitally, or
functionally with another.
GLOSS / L
L
Linearity
Measurement
A description of how closely the output of a device
follows the expected relationship with its input over
a specified range.
Load
Mechanical / Electrical
A force, torque, weight, electrical demand, pressure,
or other applied requirement that a component or
system must support or operate against.
GLOSS / M
M
Mating Cycle
Connectors
One complete connection and disconnection sequence
for a separable connector or interface. Connector
designs may have different intended cycle life.
Maximum Rating
Performance
A stated upper limit that should not be interpreted
as the preferred continuous operating condition
unless the documentation specifically says so.
Mounting Pattern
Mechanical Interface
The arrangement and dimensions of holes, slots,
studs, flanges, feet, rails, or other features used
to secure a component to surrounding equipment.
GLOSS / N
N
Nominal Dimension
Specifications
A named or reference size used to identify a
component, system, or interface. The actual measured
dimension may differ from the nominal value within
defined limits.
GLOSS / P
P
Part Number
Identification
A manufacturer, organization, or system identifier
assigned to a specific component configuration,
product variant, or documented item.
Pinout
Electrical Interface
The assignment of electrical functions, signals,
grounds, or power connections to individual contacts
within a connector or device interface.
Pressure Drop
Fluid Systems
The reduction in fluid pressure between two points in
a system caused by piping, valves, fittings, filters,
flow restrictions, elevation, or other system
effects.
GLOSS / R
R
Radial Load
Bearings / Shafts
Force acting approximately perpendicular to the axis
of a shaft, bearing, or rotating component.
Range
Sensors / Measurement
The interval between the minimum and maximum input or
measurement values over which a device is specified
to operate or measure.
Repeatability
Measurement / Motion
The degree to which repeated measurements, movements,
or operations under similar stated conditions produce
similar results.
Resolution
Measurement
The smallest change in input or measured condition
that a measurement system can distinguish or report
under stated conditions.
GLOSS / S
S
Sensor
Measurement / Control
A device that detects or measures a physical or
process condition and provides an output that can be
interpreted, displayed, recorded, or used for
control. See
Sensors + Controls.
Service Factor
Mechanical / Motors
A manufacturer-defined factor associated with
allowable operating conditions beyond a nominal
rating. Its meaning and permitted use depend on the
applicable product documentation.
Shielding
Electrical / Signal
Conductive or protective material used to reduce
unwanted electromagnetic coupling or interference
around cables, circuits, connectors, or equipment.
Specification
Technical Documentation
A documented technical requirement describing what a
product, material, process, component, or system must
meet. See
Understanding Part Specifications.
Standard
Technical Reference
A documented set of agreed technical rules, methods,
definitions, dimensions, classifications, test
procedures, or other requirements intended to create
consistency across products or processes.
GLOSS / T
T
Thread Pitch
Fasteners
The spacing between corresponding points on adjacent
threads. Thread systems may express this relationship
directly as pitch or through threads per unit length.
Tolerance
Dimensions / Quality
The allowable variation from a specified nominal
dimension, value, position, geometry, or other
requirement.
Torque
Motion / Fasteners
A rotational moment created by force acting at a
distance from an axis. Torque is commonly used when
describing motors, shafts, gears, and fastener
tightening.
Traceability
Quality / Documentation
The ability to connect a component, material,
measurement, process, result, or record to its
relevant identification and supporting history.
GLOSS / V
V
Valve
Fluid Control
A device used to start, stop, divert, regulate,
isolate, throttle, relieve, or otherwise control the
movement of liquid or gas through a system. See
Pumps + Valves.
Voltage Rating
Electrical
A stated electrical voltage limit or operating value
associated with a component under specified
conditions.
GLOSS / W
W
Wetted Parts
Fluid Systems
Component surfaces or internal parts that come into
direct contact with the process fluid. Wetted
material compatibility is often critical in pumps,
valves, meters, fittings, and sensors.
Wire Gauge
Electrical
A conductor-size designation used when selecting
wire, cable, terminals, connectors, and electrical
interfaces. The applicable size system and allowable
current depend on the design context.
GLOSS / FAMILY
Continue by Component Family
Each OpenType component page expands the terminology into practical application, specification, compatibility, and selection context.
FAST / 01
Fastener Terms
Threads, pitch, diameter, head style, grade, preload, torque, joint loading, materials, and finishes.
Fastener Reference
BEAR / 02
Bearing Terms
Radial load, axial load, clearance, fit, speed, lubrication, alignment, linear motion, and bearing materials.
Bearing Reference
MOTR / 03
Motor + Drive Terms
Torque, speed, power, duty cycle, gearing, feedback, inertia, controls, and motion transmission.
Motor Reference
VALV / 04
Pump + Valve Terms
Flow, pressure, pressure drop, wetted parts, seals, ports, actuation, media, and fluid compatibility.
Fluid Reference
CONN / 05
Connector Terms
Contacts, pinout, keying, locking, voltage, current, termination, shielding, cable, and mating cycles.
Connector Reference
SNSR / 06
Sensor + Control Terms
Range, accuracy, repeatability, resolution, hysteresis, linearity, response, excitation, output, and calibration.
Sensor Reference
GLOSS / USE
Terminology is the starting point, not the final specification.
Industrial terms can be defined differently by product family, manufacturer, standard, test method, or application.
Datasheet
Use the manufacturer's documentation for the actual
part configuration and stated operating conditions.
Drawing
Use controlled engineering drawings for dimensions,
tolerances, interfaces, materials, and revision
requirements.
Standard
Verify the applicable standard and revision when a
requirement depends on standardized dimensions,
ratings, test methods, or classifications.
Replacement
Do not treat matching terminology or one matching
rating as proof of interchangeability.
Application
Final selection must account for the real mechanical,
electrical, fluid, environmental, and service
conditions.