ASTRO Sort H - Cube | Sort To Bag Horizontal Astro | H configuration | 48 Bag Destinations

In the logistics and manufacturing sectors, the need for efficient and accurate sorting solutions is critical to maintaining high levels of productivity and customer satisfaction. The horizontal sorting machine is designed to handle 48 destinations, leveraging advanced automation technology to significantly enhance sorting efficiency and accuracy.

Objectives
Enhance Sorting Speed: Significantly reduce the time required to sort items into their respective destinations.
Improve Accuracy: Ensure precise sorting to minimize errors and improve customer satisfaction.
Boost Efficiency: Streamline operations to handle larger volumes with minimal manual intervention.
Future-Proofing: Develop a system that can be easily upgraded or expanded to meet future demands.

Key Components
Infeed Conveyor: Items are fed into the sorting machine via an infeed conveyor, ensuring a steady and controlled flow of items.
Barcode/RFID Scanners: Each item is scanned to retrieve its destination information from a central database.
Control System: A programmable logic controller (PLC) or an industrial computer manages the sorting logic and controls the machine's operations.
Sorting Mechanism: A series of diverters or pushers directs items to the appropriate horizontal chutes or lanes, each corresponding to one of the 48 destinations.
Collection Bins: Sorted items are collected in bins or containers located at the end of each chute.
Programming and Automation

The control system software was programmed to handle complex sorting algorithms, ensuring real-time decision-making and precise item allocation. Key features included:
Destination Mapping: A comprehensive database that maps each scanned item's code to its respective destination chute.
Real-time Processing: High-speed processing capabilities to handle large volumes of items without delays.
Error Handling: Robust mechanisms to manage misreads or unrecognized items, rerouting them for manual inspection.
User Interface: A user-friendly interface for monitoring system performance, managing exceptions, and performing maintenance.

Implementation
The implementation process was carried out in several stages:
Design and Prototyping: Developing a prototype to test the horizontal sorting mechanism and refine the control logic.
Software Development: Programming the control system, integrating the barcode/RFID scanning system, and developing the user interface.
Installation and Integration: Installing the sorting machine at the company's facility and integrating it with the existing conveyor infrastructure and IT systems.
Testing and Calibration: Conducting extensive testing to ensure accurate sorting and fine-tuning the system for optimal performance.
Training: Providing thorough training for operators and maintenance personnel to ensure smooth operation and upkeep.

Results
The automated horizontal sorting machine yielded significant improvements in the operations:
Increased Speed: Sorting speed improved by 70%, allowing to process a higher volume of items in less time.
Enhanced Accuracy: Sorting accuracy reached 99.8%, greatly reducing the number of sorting errors and improving customer satisfaction.
Operational Efficiency: The need for manual intervention was drastically reduced, allowing staff to focus on other critical tasks.
Scalability: The machine's modular design facilitates easy upgrades and expansions to accommodate future growth.