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GR's Dematic Introduces New Package Sorter

GRAND RAPIDS (WWJ) -- The Grand Rapids logistics systems builder Dematic Monday introduced FlexSort SL2, a high capacity package sorting system.

Dematic says it's the next generation sliding shoe sorter that incorporates many new design features for improved performance, ease of maintenance, and reduced cost of ownership.

The Dematic FlexSort SL2 is applied throughout the warehouse or distribution center in areas such as receiving, order fulfillment, consolidation and shipping to increase operational performance, productivity, and accuracy. Web-enabled modular software and distributed controls manage all areas of the unified sortation system including merge, induct, diverting, and take-away.

The key attribute of the FlexSort SL2 is the ability to produce the highest sort rates at the slowest operating speed: 200 cartons per minute at 400 feet per minute. Reduced operating speed minimizes wear, sound, and energy use. Furthermore, automatic speed control allows the sorter to vary operating speeds to accommodate the actual volume flowing onto the sorter. Peak rate is 400 cartons per minute.

FlexSort SL2 does not use the traditional large end drive motor with oily chain loops on either side of the sorter. Instead, it uses multiple drives to provide redundancy. The result: higher system uptime with less maintenance requirements, while issues, such as messy chain oil and slat skew, are omitted. Users can select either the non-contact linear induction drive or a profile drive configuration.

According to Mike Khodl, vice president of solution development for Dematic, "FlexSort provides operational flexibility. For example, it accommodates the hourly volume fluctuations with automatic speed control. Divert points can be taken in and out of service, merge release priorities can be changed."

FlexSort is modular and scalable, as divert switch locations can be moved and the sorter can be expanded/lengthen to include additional divert addresses.

Support features include fast and easy slat removal design, no chain to be lubricated, side thrust wheels to ensure smooth slat flow, divert force on bearing versus pin, and a new diverting mechanism.

For more information regarding Dematic or the FlexSort SL2, visit www.dematic.com/FlexSort-SL2, or contact Cheryl Falk at cheryl.falk@dematic.com or (262) 860-6715.

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