Overview
ISO 14617-14:2004 - Graphical symbols for diagrams - Part 14: Devices for transport and handling of material - specifies a harmonized set of graphical symbols for components and devices used in material transport and handling diagrams. It is part of the ISO 14617 series that creates a consistent symbol library for technical diagrams, enabling clearer process and technical product documentation across industries.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope: Symbols cover conveyors, feeders, turntables, cranes, lifts, hoists, material-handling robots, tracks, traversers, turntables, industrial vehicles and cargo ships.
- Symbol indexing: Each symbol is assigned a registration/identification number (e.g., 3801 for conveyor, 3841 for crane) for consistent referencing in diagrams.
- Application rules: The standard includes application rules and variants (for example rules for unidirectional, reversible or bidirectional conveyors and for indicating slope or drive type).
- Supplementary information symbols: Symbols to indicate features such as belt type, chain-driven, roller type, bucket type, screw type, vibrating, spiral gravity, escalator function, plus general modifiers like adjustability and direction symbols.
- Examples: Practical composition of diagrams is shown through application examples (e.g., unidirectional belt conveyor with motor, screw feeder with funnel, escalator orientations, traverser with multiple tracks).
- Conformance guidance: For fundamental rules on symbol creation and use, ISO 14617-14 references ISO 81714-1 and ISO 14617-1 for presentation, numbering, and examples.
Practical applications
ISO 14617-14 is used to:
- Produce clear, standardized process and plant diagrams for material handling systems.
- Communicate design intent in engineering drawings, maintenance manuals, and control-system documentation.
- Support procurement and installation specifications by removing ambiguity in component identification.
- Facilitate cross-disciplinary collaboration (mechanical, electrical, automation) and international projects by using a common symbol language.
Typical use cases include conveyor system layouts, crane and monorail schematics, warehouse handling plans, and transport equipment documentation for manufacturing, logistics, mining and ports.
Who should use this standard
- Mechanical and process engineers
- Plant layout and systems integrators
- Technical illustrators and CAD/drafting professionals
- Maintenance and operations documentation teams
- Standards authors and technical communicators in material handling and logistics
Related standards
- ISO 14617-1: General information, indexes and examples for the ISO 14617 series.
- ISO 81714-1: Basic rules for the design of graphical symbols used in technical documentation.
- ISO/TC 10 (technical product documentation) and IEC collaboration ensure alignment across electrotechnical and mechanical diagram practices.
Using ISO 14617-14 improves diagram clarity, reduces misinterpretation, and speeds project coordination across international material handling projects.