Beumer Group A/s

Jørgen Staun

Uffe Lykkegaard

The invention provides a method and a system for inducting items to a sorter (SRT) from a stream of items (IT, IT), e.g. mail or parcels, arriving at a feeding conveyor (FC). A processor (PCR) executes a control algorithm (C_A) with at least information (I_) regarding the stream of items arriving at the feeding conveyor (FC) as input. In response, the control algorithm (C_A) generates an output (O) indicating where to place an item picked up by a robot (R) from the feeding conveyor (FC). The control algorithm (C_A) selects between two or more of: 1) a first induction (I) arranged for transporting items to the sorter (SRT), 2) an empty space (E_S) on the sorter(SRT), 3) the feeding conveyor (FC), e.g. singulating bulk items on the feeding conveyor (FC), and 4) a weighing unit (W) arranged for weighing items. By controlling the robot (R) accordingly, it is possible to provide effective use of existing pick-and-place robots as part of a sorter induction system, where a high capacity can be obtained with a small requirement for space. E.g. it may be possible to save space for inductions, compared to what is required for manual handling with the same sorting capacity, especially this may be advantageous for items with a maximum weight of 2-3 kg.

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Hinnerup, Denmark

Jørgen Staun