K

 

 

KAMM BACK

Body styling similar to station wagon where only the rear window opens, and there is no tailgate door.

 

KC

(Key Control Characteristics) A process parameter for which variation must  be controlled around a target value. (GM derived)

 

KCDS

(Key Characteristics Designation System) is the GM document that defines a common  system for the identification and documentation of Key Product Characteristics and their related Key Control Characteristics. System purpose is to aid in the economical manufacture of quality products.

 

KEELEY

A small tank containing water which is hung on the side of a car and attached by a hose to the journal box when there is a hotbox.

 

KELLER SET-UP

A hard plaster taken off the wood model tipped in die position and used to guide the tracer of a Keller machine.

 

KERF

A cut or notch  relief.

 

KICK

To uncouple a car or cars while in motion, allowing them to roll to a stop.

 

KICKER

Triple valve in defective order which throws airbrakes into emergency when service application is intended.

 

KICK-PAD

The area along  the bottom of a door interior, which is likely to be scuffed when getting in and out of a car.

 

KINEMATICS

Kinematics is that branch of engineering or physics which studies the geometry of motion, or how things move, with little or no reference to the forces that cause the motion

 

KINETIC ENERGY

(ke):  Defined as the ability of a body to do work due to position or motion.  The amount of energy represented by a moving mass.  Energy and work are essentially the same thing, so one foot pound-force is the amount of work done to raise a mass of one pound one foot.  Thus a 2000 lb. car moving at 30 M.P.H. has a kinetic energy of about 60,124 foot pounds.

 

KINETIC ENERGY OF ROTATION

(ker): Given by the relation  ker = (I*w^2)/2 where I is the moment of inertia of a mass about  an axis when  the mass is  rotating about that axis with angular velocity w. Ke is reported in ft*lb.

 

KINETICS

The study of all aspects of motion including both kinematics and dynamics.

 

KING SEAT AND QUEEN SEAT

A non stock seat on which the operator sits in a lower position that the passenger.

 

KINGPIN INCLINATION

The angle in front elevation between the steering axis and the vertical.

 

KINGPIN OFFSET

Kingpin offset at the ground is the horizontal distance in front elevation between the point where the steering axis intersects the ground and the center of tire contact.  The kingpin offset at the wheel center is the horizontal distance in front elevation from the wheel center to the steering axis.

 

KINGPINS

The bolt-like device on the underside of the front of a semi-trailer that fits into the tractor's fifth wheel to couple the tractor and the trailer together.  Kingpin weight  of the trailer at the kingpin or the trailer weight applied to the fifth wheel.

 

KNEE BRACE

A stiffening piece used to reinforce two members of a structure that meet at right angles.

 

KNEE CUSHION

See inner cushion.

 

KNOCKED DOWN

A freight classification term denoting that an article is partially or entirely taken apart (not set up).  Abbreviated KD.

 

KNOCKOFFS

(Knockoff hubs) Large wing-nut used to retain a wheel for rapid attachment or removal of racing wheels. Sometimes ornamental only.

 

KNOWN DAMAGE

Damage discovered before or at the time of delivery of a shipment.

 

KNOWN LOSS

Loss discovered before or at the time of delivery of a shipment. laden weight  The weight of a vehicle and its cargo.  See gross weight.

 

KNUCKLE

The pivoting hook-like casting that fits into the head of a coupler and rotates about a vertical pin to either the open position (to engage a mating coupler) or to the closed position (when fully engaged).

 

KNUCKLE PIN

The pin holding the knuckle in the jaws of the coupler.  Sometimes called the pivot pin.

 

KNUCKLE THROWER

A device which throws the knuckle of a car open when the uncoupling lever is operated.

 

KPC

(Key Product Character) is a product characteristic for which reasonably anticipated variation could significantly affect the product's safety, compliance to government standards, or cause customer dissatisfaction. (GM derived)