The loss of small items in automated sorting systems, particularly crossbelt sorters, is a common issue. Many small and lightweight e-commerce items shift, roll or tilt during induction, often ending up on the cover between crossbelt carriers. These misplaced items not only cause shipping delays but can also lower the sorter’s overall capacity by blocking the respective crossbelt carrier. Staff often need to manually remove these misplaced parcels from the system at the end of the shift, when the sorter is stopped. This causes delays, which in turn entail high costs. Siemens Logistics says it has developed a solution to this issue with the announcement of its Misplaced Item Clearer (MIC) for crossbelt sorters in parcel sorting centers.
The company says the device uses sensors to detect items that are inadvertently positioned in between crossbelts. The MIC automatically removes them using compressed air and moves them into an outlet. Siemens says this means consignments can thus be processed immediately without interrupting sorter operations. It notes that express distribution centers at airports, with small time windows during which parcels need to be processed and distributed to connecting flights, will in particular benefit from MIC.
“It is our aim to optimally support our customers and to offer them innovative products with the highest benefit,” said Michael Reichle, CEO of Siemens Logistics. “The MIC hits the mark here, especially for e-commerce shipments – the new development means that delivery time commitments are even better met and costs are reduced.”
Siemens also notes that as the device is installed at the sorter itself, independently of the sorter manufacturer and without requiring integration into the system’s IT, it is a straightforward retrofit for most sorting centers.