CASE STUDY: Sorter Controls Retrofit

The Problem

A large distributor of catalogs wanted to install a reconditioned sortation system to streamline their out bound sortation operation. Routing data for the used shipping sorter would come from the customers "custom made" Warehouse Management System (WMS). A license plate barcode in an omnidirectional orientation was on the side of the carton.

As with all used sortation systems, CASI took great care to inspect the system and insure the pre-owned equipment was in good working order.

The Solution

CASI installed SolidComm and SolidRoute modules from the SolidSuite Warehouse Control System. An interface was established between the custom WMS and the existing legacy conveyor controls.

System Overview

The system starts with an interface to the customers legacy warehouse Management System using SolidComm.

Carton travel from the existing mezzanine and are transported to the shipping sorter induct. The cartons are gapped for sortation using a break meter belt.

As cartons enter the sortation system, a Datalogic DX6300 reads the barcode from the side of the box in an Omnidirectional orientation. This data is sent to the SolidRoute system where a database lookup is performed using SolidComm to the customers WMS. Response time is usually under 20 milliseconds. The cartons are assigned a sortation lane as the data attach photoeye is unblocked and the carton is traced to the destination lane and sorted.

Benefits from the new efficiencies

Benefits from the Sorter retrofit system include reduced labor costs, faster and more predictable order processing and the ability to add capacity without adding personnel.