Warehouse Automation with Steerable Wheel Sorters: Improving Productivity with Electric Steering
As the demand for faster and more efficient order fulfillment grows, warehouse managers are turning to automation to optimize their operations. One of the key areas where automation can make a significant impact is in package sorting, where traditional manual methods can be slow and error-prone. Steerable wheel sorters, equipped with electric steering and pivot wheels, are fast becoming a popular choice for warehouses looking to streamline their sorting process.
What is a Steerable Wheel Sorter?
A steerable wheel sorter is a conveyor system designed to sort and divert packages based on their destination. Packages are placed on the conveyor and are separated according to their size, shape, or weight. The steerable wheel sorter features powered wheels that can rotate to the left or right, allowing the package to be redirected onto the correct chute or takeaway lane.
Advantages of Steerable Wheel Sorters
The biggest advantage of steerable wheel sorters is their ability to sort packages quickly and accurately. With the ability to handle high volumes of packages, a steerable wheel sorter can significantly increase the productivity of a warehouse. Electric steering and pivot wheels also reduce the need for manual adjustments, which minimizes the risk of errors and damage to packages.
Another benefit of steerable wheel sorters is their flexibility. Because they can be configured to handle a wide range of package sizes and shapes, steerable wheel sorters are ideal for warehouses that handle a diverse range of products. They can easily be integrated with other warehouse automation systems, such as barcode scanners, to further improve efficiency and accuracy.
How Electric Steering Improves Package Sorting
Electric steering is a key feature of modern steerable wheel sorters. It allows the powered wheels to rotate quickly and precisely, ensuring that packages are diverted onto the correct takeaway lane. Without electric steering, sorting packages accurately could be challenging and time-consuming.
Electric steering also reduces the amount of time it takes to make adjustments to the conveyor system. With manual steering, workers would need to make constant adjustments to ensure the packages were diverted to the correct lane. Electric steering eliminates the need for this, as the conveyor system can be programmed to accurately sort each package.
Pivot Wheels Allow Even More Flexibility
The addition of pivot wheels to the steerable wheel sorter adds even more flexibility to the package sorting process. Pivot wheels allow the conveyor system to move packages in any direction, which can be particularly useful for warehouses that have limited space. Pivot wheels also allow the conveyor system to sort smaller packages, which may be difficult to handle with traditional sorting methods.
Conclusion
With the rise in e-commerce and the demand for faster order fulfillment, warehouse automation has become a necessity to remain competitive. Package sorting, in particular, is an area where automation can bring significant improvements in productivity and accuracy. Steerable wheel sorters, equipped with electric steering and pivot wheels, are a flexible and reliable choice for warehouses looking to streamline their operations. By investing in this technology, warehouses can ensure improved productivity and customer satisfaction, while reducing the risk of errors and damage to packages.