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Making the right choice between a flexible sorting robot and a fixed sorting robot is pivotal to optimise operational efficiency and fulfilling all the demands that a modern logistics and manufacturing environment have been designed to meet.
A good sorting system has an immense impact on productivity, accuracy, and scalability. Fixed sorting and flexible sorting robots are options, each with their respective benefits.
Flexible sorting robots offer flexibility and can be used in any of a variety of product types and size mixes. This is an especially efficient option within operating environments where products change often or within an operation that necessitates rapid reconfiguration.
Fixed sorting solutions are also usually suited for large quantities with relatively uniform product size and shape.
What is Zippy?
Zippy is a flexible sorting robot capable of sorting items and fitting into the current work processes with the help of smart sensors, artificial intelligence, and automatic navigation.
Its construction enables modifications to carry out different missions in different settings thus making it a practical invention to enhance the operations within a warehouse.
Unlike mitigated labour through the enhancement of sortation processes, which Zippy accomplishes through speed and accuracy, Zippy helps to ensure that your operations run efficiently and smoothly by raising the productivity levels.
Zippy will cater to your business’s varying demands, whether it is sortation, reverse logistics, or material movement.
Benefits of Zippy
- High-Speed Sortation: Sorts up to 30,000 pieces per hour. At the SKU level, it also provides strong management of available stock.
- Improve Warehouse Productivity: The automatic software automatically performs the work of repetition and frees labour to work in a strategic manner. It also expedites the fulfillment of orders.
- Efficient Reverse Logistics: Reverse processing sorts the returns automatically to the type, and thus, returns are very much quicker and assist in a good customer relationship.
- Increased Operational Efficiency: It is going to be implemented for the achievement of high operational efficiency through the employment of an AI-driven navigation and fleet management system that maximises optimal usage of batteries along with effective operational arrangements for achieving the highest level of efficiency.
What is SortIE?
Meet the multi-tasking vertical sortation robot capable of accurate packet sorting across multiple levels on a specific railway track.
SortIE goes great for those business sectors where there is a need for distributing, assorting, and processing a lot of different goods or materials.
This one-of-a-kind robot offers a payload capacity of 10 kg and can be tailored to accommodate different racking systems, thus allowing it to range over various warehouse settings.
Equipped with safety features such as emergency stop buttons, limit switches, and protective barriers, the design is safe for use.
Reducing the amount of work done manually and increasing the level of accuracy of SortIE helps in the management of warehouses and speeding up the process of providing customers with goods, making this system very useful in modern supply chains.
Benefits of SortIE
- Accuracy: Provides highly accurate sortation for individual packets, leading to fewer mistakes in inventory management.
- Efficiency: There is less incidence of manual labour which mainly leads to optimised overall warehouse operation and throughput.
- Customisation: The racking types and heights can be supported and, hence can be adapted to accommodate various warehouse layouts and needs.
What are Sorting conveyors?
Sorting conveyors are automated systems that can take products and sort them in warehouses, distribution centers, and also manufacturing facilities. They utilize belted move rollers, among other mechanisms, to move products along a set route, complete with technologies to sort items into their target destinations.
Benefits of Sorting Conveyors
- Reduced Labour Expenses: The sorting process is streamlined, hence easy to sort various commodities within a relatively short time.
- Low Labour Expense: Automatic sorting limits the quantity of manual sorting by free staff to concentrate more strategically.
- Enhanced Accuracy: Automated sorting will decrease errors in order and inventory management on the fulfillment side
- Scalability: The system is quite flexible to adapt to business growth with increased volumes in products with not much reconfiguration.
- Versatility: Such an automated system is applicable in various industries and can sort packages, boxes, and individual goods.
- Optimization of Space: The design allows for efficient use of warehouse space with vertical transportation options maximising floor area
- Real-time Data Tracking: Many integrate with warehouse management software that will provide the actual performance of inventory movement and sorting.
Flexible Sorting Robots vs Fixed Sorting Robots
| Criteria | Flexible Sorting Robots | Fixed Sorting Robots |
| Fixed paths vs. flexibility. | Adjusts to evolving workflows and is readily rerouted | Less flexible and restricted to predetermined routes. |
| Capacity for Sorting | Manages a large variety of SKUs and specifications. | Limited adaptability; optimised for particular types. |
| Fixed paths vs. Flexibility. | Perfect for a variety of sectors that undergo rapid modifications, like e-commerce, logistics, retail, and automotive. | Ideal for consistent products in steady situations. |
| Capacity of Payload | Accessible in a range of scalable configurations. | Growth is constrained and limited to certain capacities. |
| Flexibility in Warehouse | adapts to modifications and blends seamlessly with existing layouts with ease. | Perfect for a variety of sectors that undergo rapid modifications, like e-commerce, logistics, retail, and automotive. |
Final Thoughts
There is a growing demand for fixed and flexible sorting robots in today’s fastest logistics and manufacturing environment.
Addverb’s innovative offerings, including flexible sorting robots such as Zippy and high-end sorting conveyors, will help businesses better optimise operations with more precision, saving labour costs.
These technologies can be integrated to enable companies to maximise productivity and scalability as they seek to meet the changing needs of their industries.
Choosing Addverb would be an investment in the future of automation, where flexibility and efficiency make the difference.
FAQ
What is a flexible sorting robot?
Flexible sorting robots are automated machines designed to adapt to various sorting tasks. They can handle different shapes, sizes, and types of items, allowing for quick reconfiguration based on current needs.
What is a fixed sorter?
Fixed sorters are specialized machines that are designed for specific sorting tasks. They are optimized for the sorting of a particular type of item and typically require manual reconfiguration or adjustment to switch to different tasks.
What are the main advantages of flexible sorting robots?
Flexible sorting robots offer versatility, adaptability, and reduced downtime for reconfiguration.
What are the advantages of fixed sorters?
Fixed sorters are often more efficient for high-volume sorting of specific items. They can operate at higher speeds and may require less maintenance due to their simplicity and focus on a particular task.
Which option is more cost-effective?
The cost-effectiveness of each option varies based on the specific application. Flexible sorting robots may have a higher upfront cost but can save on labour and downtime over time. Fixed sorters may be less expensive initially but can become costly if frequent adjustments or changes in sorting tasks are needed.
Founded in 2016, Addverb offers complete robotics solutions for warehouse and industrial automation, with a strong global presence through its subsidiaries worldwide. The company provides a range of in-house automation products, including autonomous mobile robots, ASRS, and sorting technologies. It serves over 350+ clients, including well-known companies such as Coca-Cola, Amazon, and DHL.
