Are you considering a sortation solution for your Calexico warehouse, distribution center or production facility? The most common kinds of sortation systems vary widely in capability and expense. In this article we offer a high level outline of the advantages and shortcomings of the most popular kinds of sortation equipment.

Cross-Belt Sorter & Tilt Tray Sorter

Tilt-tray and cross-belt sorters provide similar functionality and are frequently associated when covering sortation mechanization. However, they are quite different solutions.

Tilt-tray sorters are a series of trays attached to carts that are carried on a continuous-loop conveyor. Items are put into the trays at one or more induction points on the loop through manual or automatic processes. When a product reaches its sorting destination, the tray that is transporting it tilts and transfers the item toward a chute.

Cross-belt sorters are motorized belt conveyors mounted to carts operating on a continuous conveyor loop. Comparable to tilt-trays, cross-belt sorters drop materials onto a chute when they reach the appropriate sorting destination.

Advantages: Cross-belt and tilt-tray sorters offer the best sorting rate and can manage a variety of product types as opposed to other sortation solutions. They are a terrific option for operations that deal with a wide array of SKUs. These types of systems are likewise reasonably quiet and permit a more comfortable workplace for warehouse personnel.

Disadvantages: The speed, capability and versatility or these sorters come at a price-- they are among the most costly sortation solutions available.

Shoe Sorter

Sliding shoe sorters utilize a "shoe" system attached to the conveyor surface that nudges and diverts materials onto an alternate, after-sort conveyor. Shoe sorter systems are fed by a single flow of products that may be a combined feed from several upstream areas of a facility. These kinds of sortation solutions are extensively utilized in shipping applications.

Advantages: Sliding shoe sorter equipment setups can accommodate a reasonably high peak rate, sometimes several hundred products per minute, depending upon the product weight and size. Additionally, a wide range of products can be processed because of the simplicity and flexibility of a positive divert system.

Disadvantages: Shoe sorters are more costly than other alternatives like pop-up wheel sorters. Likewise, divert centers are not readily movable, making the system complicated and costly to modify. These systems also create more noise than tray or belt solutions and are accordingly not as worker compatible as other kinds of sorters.

Pop-up Wheel Sorter

Pop-up wheel sorters are a popular alternative because they are relatively affordable and easy to install. Wheels or rollers are integrated with a belt conveyor. When a product must be diverted, the wheels quickly rise up to divert items at an angle to a secondary, downstream conveyor.

Advantages: Pop-up wheel sorters are modular, so components can be rapidly added or removed when the system requires modification. These systems can also be substantially less expensive than other sorter types.

Disadvantages: These types of sorters deliver quite a bit less performance and capacity than shoe, cross-belt or tilt-tray options. They will undeniably increase efficiency, yet might not maximize throughput like other options. Since pop-up systems don't provide a positive divert, the kinds of products they can process are reduced.

Automated Sortation Systems Near Me

To get more guidance on sortation options, call an automation specialist at Raymond West Inc today!

Raymond West Inc
285 Rood Rd
Calexico, CA 92231
(760) 768-8700