Beumer Group, a supplier of automated material handling systems, has introduced a new class of line sorter at this year’s LogiMAT event in Germany.
An alternative to traditional sliding-shoe line sorters, the new BG line sorter aggregates the wide handling mix of a cross-belt sorter within the compact footprint of a line sorter.
The company has replaced the traditional sliding-shoe discharge mechanism with active slat-belts to enhance handling capabilities.
The sliding-shoe discharge mechanism may not efficiently discharge items, making line sorters infective in handling boxes, cartons and totes, as well as thin items such as small polybags.
Beumer Group logistic systems division director Stephan Heessels said: “The launch of the BG Line Sorter introduces a radical new approach to line sorting.
“The active slat-belt technology enables the sorter to achieve a capacity of 1,500 to 10,000 items per hour in a compact and flexible footprint. It will also enable logistics companies to increase efficiency.”
BG line sorter’s slat-belts feature rolling discharge mechanism that helps to handle standard and non-standard items on the same belt with the same level of efficiency.
The slat-belts discharge items by rolling them off the belt into chutes situated on either side of the line, and the technology is similar to the one used on belt-based loop sorters.
The belts are produced by using a high-friction material to precisely position each item, helping to offer extended weight-carrying capabilities
A single slat-belt is said to accept an item that weighs up to 25kg. When items induced onto one or more slat-belts, the sorter can handle items with a maximum weight of 50kg each.
Beumer has used standard modules to simplify installation, as well as pre-assembled the required mechanical and electrical components, information technology (IT) and controls.
The pre-assembled modules will help complete the installation with a minimum number of connection points, said the company.
The new sorter can be integrated with host systems such as warehouse management system (WMS), material flow control (MFC) and warehouse control system (WCS), as well as subsystems and peripheral equipment.
Image: The BG Line Sorter combines the broad handling mix of a cross-belt sorter within the compact footprint of a line sorter. Photo: courtesy of BEUMER GROUP.