Sorter: solution for separating items
Operational benefits pay back the investment without any hassle
The Sorter is an automated order picking system that takes care of distributing each box, package to different stations, ports or docks for the transport of orders.
This technology uses sensors that identify characteristics of the moved items, which, through parameters defined in the system, activate the deviators, transferring the products between the conveyor belts at the programmed points, using for this optical reading machinery, photoelectric cells, scales or even a flow meter. volumes.
Sounds like big companies like Amazon? Yes. Can the deployment cost be high? Again, yes, but not always. This does not mean that such technology cannot also be applied to smaller companies. It all depends on the project that will be developed. One thing is certain: the operational benefits pay for the investment without any difficulty. See below some of the advantages that this technology offers, according to the Delage website :
- “ Reduced labor costs — By using the automatic order sorting system, labor costs for carrying out this type of work are reduced. A job that would take perhaps hours to complete manually can be done in a few minutes with a sorter;
- Greater control of the operation — One of the great advantages of automating warehouse processes is being able to monitor all the data that directly impact the business. With the sorter, the manager knows exactly the exact number of orders fulfilled per day, assessing whether the operation is meeting the volume of demands or whether it needs improvement;
- Increased Efficiency and Reduced Errors — Sorters help to double the efficiency of the order sorting process and significantly reduce errors, which can affect lead times and customer satisfaction, which are vital success factors of a company;
- Optimized Traceability — Automation allows for better traceability, so customers can track where their orders are. Data can be collected to provide customers with a forecast of when the product will arrive in their hands. In addition, the occurrence of unshipped orders is avoided”.
In all cases, the justification for implementing the Sorter system is the same: operational efficiency, which ultimately translates into more consistent profits. But when should the company invest in this type of technology? Well, you have to consider your operational objectives, your current and expected level of growth, your business cycle, your physical space and the level of capital available for investment. Projects like this are part of Águia Sistemas’ know-how and we can help our customers in this process.
After deciding to implement this technology, you will need to choose the best type of sorter for your business: cross belt sorter, paddle sorter, pop-up sorter, cross-track sorter, tilt tray sorter, shoe sorter, flat sorter, vertical sorter, pusher sorter, among others. Depending on the model and project, the volume of separation of items per minute can range from 30 to 450. It is also necessary to pay attention to the maximum weight of the goods to be placed in the sorter, which normally ranges from 20 to 50 kilos. The good news is that this system has a long lifespan as long as proper maintenance is carried out.
Did you like the text? At Águia Sistemas S/A , we are national leaders in Intralogistics and we can help your company to always find the best solution in this field. Keep in touch!
(The text above was written with information from the websites, Delage and Revista Logística ).