Industry Terms
Find the definition for terms used within the Dawson website and throughout the industry.
3M LIQUID WELD
very flexible, fast-setting, two-part epoxy adhesive that provides a strong, permanent bond even under vibration and impact
ACCESSIBLE
design of products, devices, services, or environments so as to be usable by people with disabilities
ADA
American with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public
Air Pressure
the force exerted onto a surface by the weight of the air
Aluminum
a silver-white light metallic material that is easily worked, conducts electricity well, resists weather, and is the most plentiful metal on Earth
Anodized
of metal, coated with a protective oxide layer by an electrolytic process in which the metal forms the anode
Astragal
the vertical piece that runs between a set of double doors
AWS Certification
certification test examines and documents a welder’s ability to create welds of acceptable quality following a well-defined welding procedure
Balanced Door
a door where the panel rotates around a rolling pivot in an elliptical path to provide the widest possible opening with the smallest arc, balanced so that wind and stack pressures aid in the door opening
Butt Joint
a joint formed by two surfaces abutting at right angles
Caliper
an instrument for measuring external or internal dimensions, having two hinged legs resembling a pair of compasses and in-turned or out-turned points
Cellular Manufacturing
a process of manufacturing which is a subsection of just-in-time manufacturing and lean manufacturing encompassing group technology. The goal of cellular manufacturing is to move quickly while making as little waste as possible
Center Hung
a configuration where a door is supported by and swings on a pivot that is recessed in the floor at a point located on the centerline of the door’s thickness; may be either single-swing or double-acting
clad
refers to the covering (dressing up) of the exterior door unit
Close Tolerance
a precision CNC machining process designed to ensure a part or component is produced to precise specifications
CNC Turret
punch machining controlled by automatic positioning of the metal sheet beneath the tool and programmed selection of a variety of tools
Coining
a form of precision stamping in which a workplace is subjected to sufficiently high stress to induce plastic flow on the surface of the material
Continuous Hinge
these run the entire length of the door, providing maximum, uniform support for the heaviest of doors
Corrosion Resistant
the ability to prevent environmental deterioration by the chemical or electrochemical reaction
Counterbore
a cylindrical flat-bottomed hole that enlarges another coaxial hole, or the tool used to create that feature
Countersink
a conical hole cut into a manufactured object, or the cutter to cut such a hole
Cross Rails
the horizontal structural member
die
a specialized tool used in manufacturing industries to cut or shape material mostly using a press
Door Jamb
side of the door frame that runs vertically
door-sill
the very bottom part of the door frame that rests on the floor
Door Sweep
a piece of weather stripping at the bottom of the door that is weather-resistant and forms a seal between the door sill and the door frame- increasing energy efficiency
Electromechanical
combines processes and procedures drawn from electrical engineering and mechanical engineering
emboss
carve, mold, or stamp a design on a surface or object so that it stands out in relief
Extrusions
a definitive fixed cross-sectional profile
fabrication
creation of structures by cutting, bending, and assembling processes
Fiber Laser
a laser in which the active gain medium is an optical fiber doped with rare-earth elements
flange
a projecting flat rim, collar, or rib on an object, serving to strengthen or attach to maintain position on a rail
gauge
the thickness, size, or capacity of something
glass stops
a glazing bead that holds the lower end of a glazing bar, preventing the pane from sliding down
glazing stops
the piece of millwork that butts up against the glass to hold it in place and comes in different profiles to achieve architectural detail appropriate for the style
grille
a grating or screen of metal bars or wires, placed in front of something as protection or to allow ventilation or discreet observation
inertia
a property of matter by which it continues in its existing state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line unless that state is changed by an external force
ISO
International organization for standardization that develops and publishes international standards
load bearing
supporting much of the weight of the overlying parts of a building or other structure
louver
each of a set of angled slats or flat strips fixed or hung
micrometer
a gauge that measures small distances or thicknesses between its two faces, one of which can be moved away from or toward the other by turning a screw with a fine thread
miter joint
a joint made between two pieces of material at an angle of 90“, such that the line of junction bisects this angle
mitered
joined with a miter joint or seam
monolithic
formed of a single large block of stone
muntin
a bar or rigid supporting strip between adjacent panes of glass
offset pivot
a pivot that allows a door to swing clear of the inside frame
panic hardware
designed to provide fast and easy egress to allow building occupants to exit safely in an emergency
pivot arms
a short shaft or pin supporting something that turns
powder coating
a type of coating that is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder. It is used to create a hard finish that is tougher than conventional paint
press brake
a machine pressing tool for bending sheet and plate material, most commonly sheet metal
return miter
an outside corner that results in a finished and professional look
rivet
a permanent mechanical fastener
sidelite
fixed glass panels attached to both or either side of the door, outside the frame. The tall narrow windows allow more light to enter
solar radiation
the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun that can be captured and turned into useful forms of energy
Stainless Steel
a form of steel containing chromium, resistant to tarnishing and rust
stile
the vertical piece in a frame of a paneled door or sash window
strike plate
placed on the door jamb where the hole for the bolt of the door and the bolt meet
tempered glass
a type of safety glass processed by controlled thermal or chemical treatments to increase its strength
thermal break
a thermal break is the result of a material with low thermal conductivity being placed between two high thermally conductive materials to prevent thermal bridging
threshold
a strip of material forming the bottom of a doorway and crossed in entering a house or room
transom
the horizontal beam that separates the door from the fanlight or window above it
weldments
a part created from an assembly of smaller components that are joined by welding