Based on the structure of the sorting mechanism, sorting machines are divided into different types. The most common types are: baffle sorting machines, floating sorting machines, tilting sorting machines, sliding sorting machines, pallet sorting machines, overhead sorting machines, and roller sorting machines.
(Automatic sorting machine)
1. Baffle sorting machine
Baffle-type sorting machines use baffles (baffle bars) to block moving goods on the conveyor and guide them. Another type of baffle uses one end as a fulcrum and can rotate. When the baffle moves, it acts like a wall, blocking the forward movement of goods, and uses the friction from the conveyor to move the goods along the baffle surface and discharge them from the main conveyor into the chute. Typically, the baffle is located on one side of the main conveyor, allowing goods to continue moving forward; if the baffle moves horizontally or rotates, the goods will be unloaded onto the chute.
Baffles are typically installed on both sides of a conveyor and do not contact the conveyor's surface. Even during operation, they only contact the goods, not the conveyor's transport surface, making them suitable for most types of conveyors. Baffles themselves come in different forms, such as straight and curved. Some have rollers or smooth plastic materials installed on their working surfaces to reduce frictional resistance.
2. Floating sorting machine
A floating sorting machine is a structural design that lifts goods from a main conveyor to guide them off the conveyor. Regarding the direction of exit from the main conveyor, one option is a right angle to the main conveyor; the other is a defined angle (typically 30°-45°). Generally, the former has lower productivity than the latter, which is likely to have a greater impact on the goods.
Floating sorting machines typically come in the following forms:
(1) The roller-type main conveyor adopts the sorting structure of a belt-type floating sorter, with two or more electric belts or a single chain horizontally installed between the rollers of the main conveyor. When the sorting structure receives the start inch command, the belt or chain rises to contact the bottom of the goods, supports the goods and moves them out of the hungry side of the main conveyor.
(2) The floating roller sorting mechanism is used for roller or chain main conveyors. One or dozens of powered tilting rollers are installed below the surface of the main conveyor. When the sorting mechanism is started, the tilting rollers float upward, contact the bottom of the goods, and tilt the goods from the main conveyor. This type of floating sorting machine has a row of rollers that can rotate to the left or right, and can unload goods to the left or right by pneumatic lifting.
3. Inclined sorting machine
(1) A slat tilting sorter is a special type of slat conveyor where goods are loaded onto slats. When the goods move to the sorting position, one end of the slats automatically rises to tilt the slats, thereby moving the goods away from the main conveyor. The number of slats occupied by the goods depends on the length of the different goods. The number of slats occupied is like the same unit, tilted simultaneously. Therefore, the sorter does not limit the length of the goods to a certain range.
(2) The tipping sorter consists of a series of rollers with hinged plates that can tilt to the left or right. When a pallet loaded with goods moves to a certain position, the pallet tilts and transfers the goods to a nearby chute. To reduce the impact during tipping, some sorting functions control the tipping of goods in a parabolic manner. This type of sorter cannot strictly adhere to the shape and size of the goods to be sorted, but they cannot exceed the pallet size. For long goods, they can be placed on two simultaneously tilting plates. The sorting function typically uses a continuous circular conveyor, which occupies a small area. Because it is a horizontal loop, it can be divided into several parts. Each part has a sorting signal input device for goods input. The sorted goods are arranged on the same chute to improve sorting capacity.
4. Sliding sorting machine
Sliding sorters are a special type of slat conveyor. The conveyor surface is composed of metal slats or pipes, such as bamboo mats. Each slat or pipe has a guide slider made of rigid material that slides horizontally along the slat. Typically, the slider stops on one side of the conveyor. A pin at the bottom of the slider connects to a guide rod below the slat. Controlled by a computer, when the sorted goods reach the designated intersection, the controller automatically slides the guide slider orderly to the other side of the conveyor, pushing the goods to the sorting intersection and guiding them out of the main conveyor. In this way, the goods are gradually pushed out laterally without affecting their movement, thus minimizing damage. It is widely used for sorting goods of various shapes and sizes. It is currently the latest high-speed sorting machine available internationally.
5. Pallet sorting machine
Pallet sorting machines are a widely used type of machine, mainly composed of pallet trolleys, drive units, and traction units. There are many types of pallet trolleys, including flatbed pallet trolleys, U-shaped pallet trolleys, and cross-belt pallet trolleys.
Traditional flatbed carts use inclined plates and gravity to unload goods. While the structure is simple, it suffers from drawbacks such as unstable loading positions and long unloading times, leading to unstable high-speed sorting and excessively wide chute widths.
The cross-belt pallet truck is characterized by eliminating the traditional disc tilt and adopting a gravity unloading structure. A short conveyor belt (also known as a cross belt) is set under the vehicle body to carry the cargo plane. The cargo is pulled to the grid by a traction chain and then transported by the cross belt, with the cargo forced into the left and right grids.
6. Suspended sorting machine
A suspended sorting machine is a sorting device that uses a traction chain (or wire rope) as its traction force. Depending on whether it has branch lines, it can be divided into fixed suspended and push-suspended types. The former is used for sorting and transporting goods. It only has a main conveyor line. The lifting device is connected to the traction chain. In addition to the main conveyor line, the latter also has branch line storage, sorting, and cargo transport functions.
(1) The fixed suspension sorting machine mainly consists of a crane, conveyor rail, drive unit, tensioning device, coding device, and clamps. During the sorting process, the goods are clamped in the crane clamps, and the clamp release mechanism controls the unloading of the goods into the designated transport vehicle or sorting chute through the coding device.
(2) Push-type hangers have the advantages of flexible line layout and line climbing, and are widely used in cargo sorting and warehousing operations.
(3) Suspended sorting machines are characterized by being suspended in the air and utilizing the operating space. They are suitable for sorting boxes and bags. They have lower requirements for packaging shape and can sort heavier goods, generally over 100 kg, but the machine requires a special location.
7. Roller Sorting Machine
A roller sorter is a sorting device used for the transportation, storage, and separation of goods. Depending on the needs of the goods handling process, it can be arranged horizontally or combined with elevators to form an automated warehouse.
Local roller sorting machines typically consist of 3-4 rollers, each with its own independent power supply, matching the width or length of the goods. The computer controls the rotation or stopping of each roller group based on storage and separation requirements. Photoelectric sensors are used to detect goods during transport. When goods reach the shunting position, the photoelectric sensors send a signal, triggering the computer to stop the rollers beneath the goods, activate the pushers, and move the goods to the appropriate branch, thus achieving sorting.
Roller sorters are generally suitable for well-packaged boxed goods with flat bottoms. They have high sorting capacity, but their structure is complex and their price is high.
