Glossary · Packaging and intralogistics
Sorter
Also known as: Sortation system, Sorting system
German: Sortieranlage
In intralogistics, a sorter is an automated conveyor system that identifies items, usually by scanning, and distributes them at high rates to many destinations such as chutes, lanes or containers.
- Intralogistics
In one sentence
A sorter is an automated conveyor system that identifies items and distributes them to many destinations at high rates.
Example
The distribution center's sorter handles 10,000 parcels per hour and assigns them to outbound doors by destination region.
How it applies
- Engineering: A sorter system has induction, identification (barcode, RFID, vision), the sorting conveyor with its discharge mechanism and destinations. Sorter types include cross-belt, shoe, tilt-tray, bomb-bay and pocket sorters.
- Operation: Sort plans map item data to destinations and change by shift or wave. No-reads, overflows and recirculation need defined handling.
- Integration: The Warehouse control system (WCS) supplies destinations and receives confirmations. Timing between scan and discharge is critical.
- Documentation: Document the sort plan logic, special destinations (no-read, overflow, manual), the interfaces and the maintenance procedures. Operators need clear instructions for clearing jams in chutes, which are frequent and sometimes hazardous tasks.
Sorter vs. diverter
A Diverter is a single device with one branch. A sorter is a complete system with many destinations, designed for high rates.