‘Compact sorting system is easier to integrate’

Impressive demo sorter at LogiMAT

Companies are automating more and more logistics and production processes. Compact sorting systems are increasingly being chosen. Collo-X by FarmaSort and Hexapole Sorting Systems B.V. are jointly developing these smart logistics sorting systems that are increasingly widely applicable, such as for e-commerce, fulfillment, 3pl and healthcare. At LogiMAT, the companies will show an impressive demo sorter.

The challenges for logistics operations are increasing. Staff shortages are growing, markets are demanding more and more flexibility and scalability. At the same time, expanding existing logistics real estate is difficult. With the deployment of smart machines, these challenges can be partially overcome. “It is therefore not very surprising that more and more entrepreneurs are knocking on our door. Our compact solutions also have a smaller footprint and therefore lower costs,” says Floris Hendriks of Collo-X. Bas Bloemink: “As Hexapole, we then take care of the intelligent software control of these and other logistics installations.”

MicroSorter: compact sorting machine

A compact sorter, such as the MicroSorter, has a wide range of uses. The compactness means a relatively small footprint. The machine is easy to fit into an existing logistics center. “Nevertheless, the MicroSorter has a large number of outputs, allowing users to respond to a variety of order flows,” Hendriks and Bloemink indicate.

Inbound and outbound of smaller orders

The MicroSorter has its origins in the sorting applications used by the Dutch pharmacy market. Since 2016, FarmaSort has been the market leader in the Netherlands in sorting systems for pharmacies. The systems automate the process of medication processing, from bulk receipt to sorting and compounding a prescription into a bag. The MicroSorter is capable of handling both inbound and outbound flows. Hendriks: “So that also applies to return flows and sorting them out, so that items can quickly re-enter the warehouse. These are functions that certainly benefit e-commerce operations with large numbers of small orders.” Bloemink adds: “A smaller sorter is much more interesting for this type of business than larger machines. Above all, their relatively small footprint makes them much easier to fit into existing operations.”

Smooth cooperation

FarmaSort and Hexapole are responding to a growing automation need with the joint development. E-commerce companies are moving from manual work to automated order processing. Bloemink: “This increases the importance of integration: our system must be able to link with existing logistics systems, such as the end customer's WMS or WCS and with AMR solutions. The combination of systems provides opportunities, but requires expertise. We provide that.”

Increase scalability of logistics processes

An obvious question from growing entrepreneurs is how quickly the smaller sorting machines reach their maximum capacity. Bloemink: “That limit is not quickly reached because the MicroSorter is scalable. By that I mean that it is fairly easy to loop several of them together. The sorting machine can also be applied within an environment where other machines are already present. This is really a solution for many types of logistics centers owned by e-commerce and 3PL companies.” One customer who knocked on Collo-X's door is looking at a setup with six MicroSorters. The setup consists of conventional sorters and finer sorters that sort from coarse to fine. An AMR picks up the sorted totes at the machine and moves them toward the packing tables. “This setup gives the customer the opportunity to scale up as needed. This shows that Collo-X thinks along with the situation for each customer in order to create a customized solution.”

Online printing company consolidates products

Another customer, an online printing company, now operates three machines. The company prints shirts and mugs, among other products, and uses Collo-X's MicroSorters to consolidate products coming from various production areas. Bloemink: “The result is that fewer people are needed.”

Together, the two partners want to show visitors at LogiMAT what they are capable of. Among other things, they do this with a MicroSorter equipped with the latest features, both mechanical and software. “We are the only company in Europe that makes these machines. The market also calls the MicroSorter a 3D sorter. There are a few suppliers in the U.S. and China, but Collo-X stands out in providing customer-specific solutions on a situation-by-situation basis. We also provide local support here. And how good we are and what we can offer, we like to show at the fair. There we will gladly engage in conversation with visitors at booth 5F41 or make an appointment for a demo in our factory in Wijchen.”

At LogiMAT, Collo-X can be found in Hall 5 - Stand 5F41.