Are you considering a sortation system for your Inland Northwest warehouse, distribution center or production facility? The most popular types of sortation systems vary widely in capability and expense. In this article we offer a high level synopsis of the advantages and drawbacks of the most popular kinds of sortation systems.

Cross-Belt Sorter & Tilt Tray Sorter

Tilt-tray and cross-belt sortation systems provide similar functionality and are commonly associated when discussing sortation mechanization. In practice they are very different mechanisms.

Tilt-tray sorters are a series of trays mounted to carts that are transported on a continuous-loop conveyor. Products are added to the trays at one or more induction positions on the loop through manual or automatic processes. When an item arrives at its sorting location, the tray that is carrying it inclines and dumps the product onto a chute.

Cross-belt sorters are motorized belt conveyors attached to carts running on a continuous conveyor loop. Comparable to tilt-trays, cross-belt sorters move materials onto a chute when they reach the correct sorting location.

Advantages: Cross-belt and tilt-tray sorters provide the highest sorting speed and can manage a variety of product types in comparison with other sortation systems. They are an excellent choice for operations that deal with a wide range of SKUs. These kinds of systems are also fairly noiseless and allow a more comfortable workplace for warehouse personnel.

Disadvantages: The speed, capacity and versatility or these sorters come at a price-- they are among the most expensive sortation options on the market.

Shoe Sorter

Sliding shoe sorters utilize a "shoe" mechanism attached to the conveyor surface that pushes and diverts materials onto an alternate, after-sort conveyor. Shoe sorter systems are fed by a unified stream of products that might be a combined feed from several upstream locations of a facility. These types of sortation solutions are commonly utilized in shipping applications.

Advantages: Sliding shoe sorter configurations enable a fairly high peak rate, often several hundred items per minute, depending on the unit weight and size. In addition, a wide range of products can be processed due to the simplicity and versatility of a positive divert system.

Disadvantages: Shoe sorters are more expensive than other alternatives like pop-up wheel sorters. Likewise, divert stations are not freely movable, making the system complicated and expensive to rearrange. These systems also produce more noise than belt or tray systems and are consequently not as worker compatible as other styles of sorters.

Pop-up Wheel Sorter

Pop-up wheel sorters are a common choice due to the fact that they are relatively low-cost and easy to install. Wheels or rollers are incorporated into a belt conveyor. When a product needs to be diverted, the wheels pop up to move items at an angle to an alternate, downstream conveyor.

Advantages: Pop-up wheel sorters are modular, so segments can be rapidly incorporated or eliminated when the line needs reconfiguration. These systems can also be significantly less expensive than other sorter choices.

Disadvantages: These kinds of sorters deliver quite a bit less speed and capacity than tilt-tray, cross-belt or shoe alternatives. They will undoubtedly enhance productivity, but may not maximize throughput like other solutions. Because pop-up systems do not offer a positive divert, the kinds of materials they can manage are reduced.

Automated Sortation Systems Near Me

To get more details on sortation choices, phone an automation professional at Raymond West today!

Raymond West's Spokane branch services Spokane, Airway Heights, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Post Falls, Hayden, Rathdrum, Coeur d'Alene, Medical Lake, Cheney, Pullman, Moscow, Moses Lake, Yakima, Wenatchee, Lewiston, Clarkston, Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, Walla Walla and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Spokane Material Handling Equipment Supplier

11002 E Montgomery Dr #100
Spokane, WA 99206
(509) 728-6000