---
title: "Thermoformed Tray Glossary | Termotray"
description: "Plain-language definitions of functional tray, ESD, conductive, dissipative, poka-yoke, matrix tray, Tier 1 supplier, and other thermoformed tray terms."
url: "https://www.termotray.com.br/en/glossary"
---

# Glossary of engineered tray terms

The technical terms we use, explained in plain language.

- [Functional tray](https://www.termotray.com.br/en/glossary#bandeja-funcional)
- [Thermoformed tray](https://www.termotray.com.br/en/glossary#bandeja-termoformada)
- [Tray life cycle](https://www.termotray.com.br/en/glossary#ciclo-de-vida-da-bandeja)
- [ESD](https://www.termotray.com.br/en/glossary#esd)
- [Latent damage](https://www.termotray.com.br/en/glossary#dano-latente)
- [Conductive](https://www.termotray.com.br/en/glossary#condutivo)
- [Dissipative](https://www.termotray.com.br/en/glossary#dissipativo)
- [Insulative](https://www.termotray.com.br/en/glossary#isolante)
- [Topical anti-static coating](https://www.termotray.com.br/en/glossary#antiestatico-de-superficie)
- [In-resin anti-static additive](https://www.termotray.com.br/en/glossary#antiestatico-na-massa)
- [Poka-yoke](https://www.termotray.com.br/en/glossary#poka-yoke)
- [Matrix tray](https://www.termotray.com.br/en/glossary#bandeja-cartesiana)
- [Pick-and-place](https://www.termotray.com.br/en/glossary#pick-and-place)
- [In-plant logistics](https://www.termotray.com.br/en/glossary#logistica-interna)
- [Tier 1 supplier](https://www.termotray.com.br/en/glossary#sistemista)

Functional tray

A tray specified to perform a function in your operation, such as protecting parts, organizing the line, speeding up counting, and simplifying transport, rather than just holding the part.

Thermoformed tray

A tray formed from a plastic sheet into the shape of the parts it holds, custom-designed for the application.

Tray life cycle

How long a tray needs to last and how many trips it needs to make, from a single shipment to years of use inside a plant.

ESD

Short for electrostatic discharge: the sudden flow of electric charge between two objects, which can damage electronic components.

Latent damage

Damage caused by electrostatic discharge that doesn't show up in inspection and appears later, often in the field.

Conductive

An ESD material class that drains charge quickly.

Dissipative

An ESD material class, also called static dissipative, that releases charge gradually and in a controlled way.

Insulative

A material that holds charge and needs special precautions in applications with ESD-sensitive components.

Topical anti-static coating

Anti-static protection applied to the tray surface like a coating, with a limited shelf life, suited to single-use or short-cycle trays.

In-resin anti-static additive

Anti-static protection compounded into the material. It lasts for years (the so-called permanent effect) and suits trays built for many use cycles.

Poka-yoke

An error-proofing feature: in a tray, the cavity accepts the part only in the correct position.

Matrix tray

A matrix tray is an indexed, robot-ready tray in which every pocket has an exact, repeatable position, like an address.

Pick-and-place

An automated operation in which a robot picks up a part from one position and places it in another.

In-plant logistics

The movement of trays between areas of the same plant, returning to the start of the process.

Tier 1 supplier

A supplier that makes a component or system and ships it to the company that builds the final product.

## Send your technical question to our engineers

If you didn't find your answer here, ask us. Your question could become the topic of a future article.

[Request a Quote](https://www.termotray.com.br/en/quote) [Contact Engineering](https://wa.me/5511976999471?text=Hi%20Termotray%2C%20I%20have%20a%20part%20I'd%20like%20your%20engineering%20team%20to%20evaluate.)

---

Termotray is a Brazilian manufacturer of custom thermoformed trays for auto parts, electronics, and sensitive components, based in Guararema, São Paulo.
- Request a Quote: https://www.termotray.com.br/en/quote
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- Instructions for AI agents: https://www.termotray.com.br/agents.md