Automated Sortation — Facility Logistics

Why Automate?

GBI Sortation Systems Solutions provide automation that will provide accurate, reliable and efficient sorts for order fulfillment, returns processing, or loose receipts utilizing less space, fewer employees, and in a shorter window of time.

For example, a tilt tray sorter can be loaded by three to four employees and is capable of attaining maximum rates of up to 12,000 sorts per hour. GBI strives for 100% accuracy. Our customers report accuracy rates up to and exceeding 99.99%, depending on the level of verification installed with the system.

Aside from the labor, time and space savings other benefits of automated sortation include:

Electronic transfer of information. Better product and order tracking Process measurement for monitoring efficiency Reduction of handling and paper processes Fewer charge-backs due to missorts And so on...

Click on image below to view Tilt Tray Sorter Video

Tilt Tray Sorter - used for Automated Sortation Click on image for enlarged view

Why a Tilt Tray Sorter for automated sortation

There are numerous types of sorters used for automated sortation available on the market. The tilt tray sorter provides the most secure method of transfer for automated sortation since the product is contained within the confines of the tray. The GBI tilt tray has walls on the leading and trailing sides to add more secure containment. Open conveyor transfers, such as sweeping arm sorters, leave the product and sort accuracy vulnerable to lost positioning and damage from protruding elements or jammed product.

The tilt tray design provides a gentle and gradual deployment from the tray to the collection chute since gravity is the only force acting to move the product off the tray. Forward vector paths are accommodated by appropriately chosen drop widths and the horizontal vector path is a slower gentle motion. Crossbelt conveyors can make use of a smaller drop width since the product is ejected from the conveying carrier. However this added velocity makes it a poor choice for sorting delicate product and usually costs more.

Automated Sortation Operational Considerations and Sort Methodologies

Here are some ideas worth exploring with or without automated sortation:

• Grouping orders of the same makeup and content for specialized operator stations.
• Grouping orders of the same packaging requirements for specialized operator stations.
• Batching small (under 4 pieces per order) mixed orders for Pick-to-Light processing.
• Setting up several slots on the sorter to sort by consolidation or specialization station (as described here). See the Internet Model.
• Sort several simultaneous waves on the sorter to optimize equipment utilization. Examples include larger orders that remain on the sorter for a longer period of time that is simultaneously sorted with a medium wave and consolidation wave. This sort is optimized by the product mix for better batch processing. See the Simultaneous and Multiple Batch Model.

Here are several methods used to facilitate a sort: Sortation Methods

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GBI Data & Sorting Systems • 1143 West Newport Center Drive • Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 USA
954-596-5000 Ext. 231 • Fax 954-596-5015 • E-mail contact: info@gbisorters.com