conveyor Archives

Innovative Modular Diverter, Sorter Modules

Posted on 2 March, 2023 by Keith McKinley

An innovative high-capacity, multi-directional diverter and a compact 90° diverter and sorter module will take centre stage on Itoh Denki’s stand (no. C017) at the 2023 Semaine de l’Innovation du Transport et de la Logistique (SITL) event in Paris from 28-30 March.

The Multi-Angle Ball Sorter (MABS) boasts patented rotating ball transfer technology, which allows products to be diverted to at any angle on both the left and right. It can handle up to 4,300 units per hour of up to 30kg in weight and is suitable for integration into any type of conveyor system. It is powered solely by 24V DC technology, helping to optimise safety when compared with pneumatically powered systems.

Available in a total of five sizes, MABS can be rapidly reconfigured to suit the requirements of changing set-ups, with up to eight units able to operate in tandem where larger transfer zones are needed. MABS’ high throughput, versatility and compact footprint make it ideal for a vast range of warehousing, e-commerce and intralogistics applications.

Also on show will be the F-RAT NX compact – the only diverter of its type on the market which is able to transfer products at a 90° angle on both sides of the conveyor line without needing to raise the product between the entry and exit. Not only does this make for smoother transfers, but conveyor design is simplified too. Again powered by 24V DC power, the need for pneumatic systems is negated, while the F-RAT comes in a range of sizes.

MABS and F-RAT NX can be combined with ZPA (zero pressure accumulation) conveyors to deliver precise positioning of products and smooth transfer. These attributes make them perfect for any application requiring high throughput alongside optimised quality and safety.

Etienne Vuillard of Itoh Denki explained: “The modern warehouse and distribution facility demands not just high throughput, but unstinting performance when it comes to safety and overall quality of handling. Alongside this, requirements from the sortation line in terms of volume and product type can change rapidly. This means modular, DC-powered systems, able to be rapidly reconfigured, are likely to be attractive to specifiers and system designers. Itoh Denki has been a pioneer of modular sorting and diverting technology for many years and both the MABS and F-RAT combine the qualities for which we have become renowned – speed, versatility, accuracy and safety. The SITL event will welcome leading decision-makers in the sector from across France, and beyond, and we anticipate strong interest in both ranges from visitors to our stand seeking to maximise productivity and enjoy a rapid return on their investment.”

Itoh Denki is a pioneer and leader in motorised roller-based conveyor and sorting solutions for automated intralogistics.

Ultra-reliable ecommerce sorter technology at IMHX

Posted on 18 August, 2022 by Keith McKinley

Ferag, a global leader in advanced conveying and sortation solutions, will be showcasing its advanced Swiss engineered overhead pouch and sorter systems at the UK’s IMHX 2022 show – 6th to 8th September 2022, NEC Birmingham (Stand: 5D15).

Visitors to the stand will have the opportunity to discover the many innovative features of Ferag’s latest high-speed sortation systems, Skyfall and Denisort, along with the full range of energy-efficient conveyors and sorters in Ferag’s extensive product portfolio.

The speed and reliability of Skyfall, Ferag’s ultra-fast automated pouch sorter solution, enables retailers to gain greater operational efficiencies by accumulating orders in advance of a final pick-wave at 10pm. With processing speeds of up to 25,000 units per hour orders can be picked, sorted, packed and dispatched within the shortest time window, giving fashion brands the keen competitive edge of a late cut-off with an early next day delivery.

The same high-speed Skyfall pouch sorter system used for fulfilling ecommerce orders can also be deployed to create store friendly sequenced consignments for high-street shops – pulling from the same, pooled inventory used for ecommerce customers. Sequencing product to each store’s individual layout speeds shelf replenishment, freeing shop assistants to spend more time with customers. Developed for some of the most testing of handling applications in the international print industry, Ferag’s high-speed overhead conveyors are designed to be ultra-reliable, offering unfailing performance on daily newspaper production runs in the millions. The same technology has been successfully applied by Ferag within the intralogistics sector, bringing reliable, high-performance conveying to retail, ecommerce, automotive and general merchandise businesses.

Also featured on the stand will be Ferag’s innovative tilt-tray sorter. The Denisort combines conveying, order picking and sorting in one seamless and scalable system, with universal applications across a wide range of intra-logistics processes. The highly versatile design uses low-friction rollers within a steel profile, offering quiet and reliable, energy-efficient operation across single or multi-level applications.

Principle products in Ferag’s extensive range of innovative sorters and conveyors include: Skyfall, an overhead pouch system that combines conveying, buffering, sorting and consolidating, suited to a wide variety of goods weighing up to 20kg. The solution makes efficient use of available overhead space; Denisort, a tilt-tray sorter that provides order picking, conveying and sorting in one seamless and scalable solution; Denisort Compact, a modular vertical sorter designed for items weighing up to 12Kg; Deniway, a plate chain conveyor with low-friction rollers for long conveying distances, offering smooth transfers with the minimum number of drive units; and Easychain, a largely maintenance-free continuous and seamless conveying system with an ultra-narrow curve radii, making it well suited to complex, 3D layouts.

Also on the stand at IMHX will be a working scale-model of Skyfall, built by Ferag apprentices as an expression of the skills acquired by young people under Ferag’s long-standing apprenticeship programme, established in 1968. Each year 10-15 apprentices are enrolled on four-year in-house courses, ensuring the next generation of qualified professionals.

A number of leading fashion brands are taking advantage of pouch sorter technology to increase capacity and boost performance of their fulfilment operations. Ferag has recently installed a flexible high-speed Skyfall system at a new distribution centre for children’s fashion company, Mayoral Group, in Malaga, Spain. The extensive overhead pouch solution is one of the largest to date, with a mix of hanging pouches and garment hangers totalling more than 58,000 Skyfall hangers, and a throughput of up to 12,000 units per hour. The system features fully automatic unloading of pouches, including flat goods.

Ferag has installed intelligent conveyor and sortation systems for some of the world’s largest brands, such as: DHL, Auchan, Nestle, Zeiss, Cewe, Zalando, Mayoral, Viapost, Peerless Clothing International, Dumoulin, AstraZeneca, Stage, VW, Shoebox, along with many more.

Sensor system monitors conveyor belt utilisation

Posted on 31 May, 202225 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Pepperl+Fuchs Factory Automation says its Contour2D sensor system enables optimally efficient detection of conveyor belt utilisation. It is the only system on the market to require just one LiDAR sensor to do this. The unique performance characteristics of the R2000 LiDAR sensor and an intelligent algorithm ensure reliable shadow correction. Minimal installation effort and quick, straightforward, three-step commissioning round off this highly economical solution.

To distribute packages on a conveyor belt as efficiently and evenly as possible for transport to the downstream station, the conveyor belt’s current utilisation must be detected reliably. The Contour2D sensor system is the most efficient solution for this on the market, comprising a single LiDAR sensor mounted centrally above the conveyor belt. The central position of the sensor means that it detects shadows of packages on the conveyor belt, which would ordinarily distort the measurement results of the system. However, the high angular resolution of the R2000 2-D LiDAR sensor combined with an intelligent algorithm makes corrections for these shadows.

The sensor system’s Multi Scan Evaluation Unit (MSEU) takes care of running the algorithm and the further processing of the raw data from the LiDAR sensor.

Since there are only two components (sensor and MSEU) to install, the Contour2D impresses with very low hardware costs and minimal installation effort. Unlike conventional systems, there is no need for time-consuming configuration to align several sensors with each other. And since only a single sensor is mounted centrally above the conveyor belt, installation requires no major adjustments to the conveyor belt. Therefore, even existing plants can be retrofitted easily.

Specialist Range of Conveyors to meet Packaging Demands

Posted on 21 October, 2020 by Keith McKinley

Conveyor supplier, Conveya has recently added another product to its portfolio – the Flexible Expandable Roller (pictured). With increased demand on the e-commerce sector around Christmas period, the Flexible Expandable Roller is able to efficiently move cardboard and oher materials. It is available for hire and purchase.

As well as the Flexible Expandable Roller, Coveya has launched various conveyor products recently for the packaging, manufacturing and distribution sector. These include the Telescopic Gravity conveyor, High-Rise Telescopic Unloading conveyor and the LineShaft Powered Roller conveyor. They all offer a versatile, modular, and economical solution for transporting light to medium products as well as loading and unloading containers.

Earlier this year the company also launched Mist-Safe, an over conveyor sanitisation tunnel that has been designed in direct response to COVID-19. It enables the sanitisation of boxes, cartons, tech, and online returns by releasing a disinfectant mist.

Winston Herbert, the manufacturing & logistics sector specialist at Coveya said; “With years of experience in manufacturing and supplying conveyors for a range of UK industries including construction, recycling and water treatment, we’ve seen an increase in the need for quality, modular conveyors for the packaging and manufacturing sectors and alongside our well established Easibelt conveyor, we have now introduced a range of new products that will support customers when they need a flexible conveyor solution to meet increases in demand.

He continued; “Whether it be supporting new processing and picking lines for contract packaging, dealing with increase in online sales or simply moving stock to and from large containers, we have the perfect conveyor and with a free onsite visit and short-lead in times for hire and purchase conveyors, we are committed to ensuring our customers have a conveyor that is fit for purpose”.

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