Robotic sorting solution released

MiniSort uses the Geek+ S20 line of robots as sorting and transportation devices. Sorting slots can be freely distributed around the edge of the site, and the system is characterised by its high efficiency, reduced labour, and modular approach, says the firm. MiniSort can design a sorting environment based on the actual site requirements of the client, and it is highly adaptable to site locations; with no need for fixed platforms and suitable for quick installation. 

The S20 series of robots are capable of carrying packages up to a maximum size of 600x420x400mm; The system delivers 100% sorting accuracy so long as package information is correct, with robots able to automatically pair automated equipment for both incoming and bundled packages. After palletisation, Geek+ transport robots or unmanned forklifts can be used to deliver pallets to their corresponding buffer storage or truck areas.

The company says: “MiniSort uses a hierarchical design to increase efficiency and use of space. This means that investment costs are far lower than with traditional automated sorting equipment, client labour costs can be reduced by 70%, and returns on investment occur within 2-3 years.”

The latest generation of S20 robots from Geek+ use visual-inertial navigation and high-precision laser radar for obstacle avoidance, they are capable of handling various product ranges and able to deliver packages of up to 20kg; supports various features including automatic matching with conveyor belts, product fall detection and dynamic delivery. The system is capable of supporting intelligent gathering and deployment of several hundred robots, while at the same time ensuring uninterrupted 24-hour operation of the robotic system.

Typical applications

Replenishing goods, cross-docking and distribution: MiniSort offers a wide range of product-handling capabilities. At package supply terminals belt equipment may be used for automatic pairing, at delivery terminals pairing can be performed with low profile chutes or low profile unpowered roller conveyors allowing for easy handling of various kinds of products or fragile goods up to 20kg. Rapid and combined pack handling of delivery bags may be selected at receptacles and chutes or roller conveyors may also be used to simplify product buffer storage. The system supports dynamic store adjustment and store quantity may be increased or decreased quickly.

• Returns: MiniSort can handle various kinds of customer returns or category-specific returns services with high efficiency and adaptability. It is able to process classification of goods for returns based on SKU, supplier or other pre-defined attributes/categories.
• Alternative to putwall: MiniSort supports sorting by order and rapid secondary order separation may be performed after batch orders are collated and picked. Compared with traditional putwalls, quantity of orders handled in a single time is increased and efficiency is improved.
• Expanded sorting for cross belt sorters: MiniSort supports both expanded sorting lines and expanded efficiency of traditional cross belt sorters and other such equipment in order to meet a continued increase in business volume with flexible and rapid deployment and a high level of precision.
• Relay sorting for order picking: MiniSort is able to match traditional upstream picking systems that pass through multiple pieces of picking equipment or robots, relaying packages to sort them between different target stations, carriers, and zones.

Benefits

Compared with traditional sorting equipment, MiniSort is a robotic flexible sorting solution. It carries benefits in such areas as system flexibility, convenient expandability, rapid installation, and stage-specific investment; deployment at sorting centres requires basically no fixed installations; and it can achieve a sorting rate of up to 15,000 items/hour.

The S20 robots employ static unloading, so as long as the information written on the front of the package is accurate, the theoretical error ratio for sorting is 0, helping to avoid sorting mistakes from traditional human sorting operations, gaps in sorting, and other such events, further increasing the reliability and accuracy of the logistical services of the client.

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MiniSort operates through a combination of numerous individual S20 robots working together. Their side-by-side processing ability is strong, and the system has no single point of failure, improving the sturdiness of the system. Furthermore, The MiniSort robotic sorting system has a lower power consumption compared with cross belt sorters of the same scale. The robots also employ rapid charging technology and have a high utility. This further reduces equipment operating costs for the client.

Expansion

FleetSort is another new solution model created by Geek+. Matrix distribution of cage trolleys mean a high level of integration with the sorting area, maximising destination quantity and reducing sorting area size. FleetSort supports combined operation of both S20 and P-series robots in the sorting areas, with the P-series robots used to complete transport operations. This solution allows for both high-efficiency automatic sorting and intelligent transportation of combined packages. Transportation robots match the locations of packaging and combined packing points in order to adjust dynamically. The site does not require any fixed steel platforms and costs for fixed installations can be reduced as much as possible in order to accomplish rapid and flexible deployment.

FleetSort is especially used for small and medium-sized packages or order-sorting environments with high requirements with regards to efficiency or shelf quantity. It can be flexibly deployed and expanded by module in accordance with the client’s needs and supports rapid unmanned sorting from the unloading to the loading stage.