NEW LOGISTICS PRODUCTS & SERVICES
EDITED BY DIANE RAND rollouts
Pouch sorter: SDI (Systems Design Inc.), a provider of
material handling systems and technology solutions to the retail,
wholesale, fulfillment, and e-commerce industries, has combined
forces with Swiss systems supplier Ferag AG to introduce the
Joey Pouch Sorter.
The Joey Pouch Sorter will transport, sort, and incorporate
loading stations; generate an intermediate storage buffer area;
and create a sorting buffer and packing area, while intercon-necting all of these activities. Suitable for use with a variety of
products, including garments, shoes, and jewelry, Joey provides
the flexibility to design the flow above or around existing processing areas, giving SDI the opportunity to tailor the solution to
each client’s needs.
This ultraflexible system makes use of powered systems and
gravity to transport, sort, accumulate, and buffer items in the
distribution center. The Joey uses pouches to handle an infinite
variety of individual items. The solution generally incorporates
loading stations, an intermediate storage buffer, and a feed to
packing stations.
What’s unique about the solution is that the pouches can be
sorted and re-sorted using sophisticated software algorithms,
the company says. For example, if the pouches go in randomly
in a sequence that best suits picking efficiency, they would be
delivered to the packer at an order level. The only work the
packer has to do is insert the products into a carton or bag and
label the package. (SDI, www.sdi.systems)
Scan and sort system: Dematic has introduced the Modular
Sort System, a scan and sort system for production and distribution applications.
The Modular Sort System brings a new dimension of productivity and optimization to production and distribution operations.
Built around pre-engineered and preconfigured modules, the
solution fits into new or existing buildings and is designed to
support carton, case, and tote handling environments. Positive
sortation assures that the correct container is directed to the
correct location and in the correct sequence.
Most commonly used for final disposition in the shipping area,
the sort subsystem can be configured for other applications,
such as routing to pick modules, value-added processing, quality
assurance, and packing stations. Typical shipping configurations
include manual palletizing (one or more pallets per divert lane),
direct divert into a shipping container (Gaylord), and connection
to an extendable conveyor for fluid loading into a trailer.
The Modular Sort System is a solution that automates the scan
and sort function. Dematic iQ software manages induction, gapping, and sorting, while providing real-time performance information. The pre-engineered layout includes an accumulation and
gapping conveyor, a scanner, software, and a choice of diverters.
(Dematic, www.dematic.com)
SPOTLIGHT ON ….
SORTATION SYSTEMS
Multifunction sorter: Denipro AG has introduced its “
denisort” system. This innovation from the Swiss specialist in rolling
conveyor technology combines all the advantages of tilt-tray and
slide-tray sorters within a single system. This is an enhanced version of the deniway conveyor and is aimed mainly at customers
from sectors like e-commerce and the mail order business.
The new system unites three functions, which can be run in parallel: conveying, order picking, and sortation. Like all other Denipro
systems, the new denisort gets by with only a few drive units and
is extremely energy efficient. Thanks to transfer-free technology,
the material flow is so gentle that the system can be used for the
transport and sortation of fragile products. Furthermore, users
benefit from less wear and tear, lower energy consumption, fewer
CO2 emissions, and a reduced maintenance outlay.
The Denipro system can simultaneously receive and transfer
incoming goods to stock, process, and transport orders to the
dispatch zone and, in parallel, also feed returns back into the
system. The tilt mechanism has been designed so that the products are unloaded gently. At the same time, there is an option
for double-sided unloading, since the tray can be tilted and
opened to the right and to the left. The products don’t simply
fall out of the tray; they slide gently under full control toward
their destination.
As standard, Denipro supplies three popular tray sizes: Cosmic
[150 millimeters ( 5. 9 inches) by 250 millimeters ( 9. 8 inches)], Orbit
[290 millimeters ( 11. 4 inches) by 40 millimeters ( 1. 6 inches)], and
Shuttle [650 millimeters ( 25. 6 inches) by 450 millimeters ( 17. 7
inches)]. If requested, Denipro will supply trays in other sizes, as
specified by the customer. (Denipro AG, www.denipro.com)
Single-line sorter: Beumer Group
has introduced its Rota-Sorter, a system
that can handle a vast range of items
on a single line at top speed. Its unique
discharge technology makes sortation
extremely gentle. The system also dis-tinguishes itself through its flexibility and economic efficiency,
the company says.
The Rota-Sorter can sort a great variety of items, including
those of different weight categories and in different packaging,
on a single line. The range extends from flat lightweight items
with dimensions of 120 millimeters ( 4. 7 inches) long by 60 millimeters ( 2. 4 inches) wide by 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) high to
large packages with dimensions of 1,200 millimeters ( 47. 2 inches) long by 800 millimeters ( 31. 5 inches) wide by 800 millimeters
( 31. 5 inches) high weighing up to 69. 4 pounds ( 31. 5 kilograms).
High-speed operation is a matter of course: The Rota-Sorter can
sort 5,000 items per hour on one line. The sorter can be expanded to up to three lines arranged above each other, thus achieving
a maximum capacity of 15,000 items per hour. (Beumer Group,
www.beumergroup.com)
