Narrow-Band Sorting Machine: An Ideal Choice For Small And Medium-Sized Logistics Sorting Centers
Release Time : 2025-05-26
With the vigorous development of the e-commerce industry, the amount of logistics sorting operations has increased dramatically, and higher requirements have been placed on the efficiency, flexibility and economy of sorting equipment. Among the many sorting equipment, the narrow-band sorting machine has become an ideal choice for small and medium-sized logistics sorting centers with its compact structure, flexible layout, wide range of applicable products, low construction cost and high sorting efficiency.
The narrow-band sorting machine is a logistics sorting equipment based on automation technology. Its working principle is similar to that of the cross-belt sorting machine, but its structure is more compact. It is mainly composed of multiple narrow belts with equal spacing. These belts are driven left and right by specific drive devices to transport the goods to the designated grid. In practical applications, narrow-band sorting machines are usually combined with horizontal belt conveyors, climbing belt conveyors, induction mechanisms, code scanning systems, SDS systems, chutes, etc. to form a narrow-band sorting system.
When the package enters the conveyor belt, it first passes through the code scanning system to scan the barcode information. This process is usually completed by a top scanning camera, which can quickly identify the barcode on the express delivery bill and connect the scanned information to the server to obtain the corresponding barcode information. After receiving this information, the upper computer control system will pass the package information to the main control PLC. According to the size, dimensions, grid and other information of the package, the PLC controls multiple groups of infrared electric roller trolleys or other drive devices through distributed IO modules to sort the packages to the corresponding grid.
Structural characteristics of narrow-band sorting machine
Compact structure
The narrow-band sorting machine adopts a compact design concept and can achieve efficient sorting operations in a limited space. The width of its narrow belt is usually between 10 and 30 cm, which greatly saves site space compared to traditional sorting equipment. This compact structure makes the narrow-band sorting machine particularly suitable for small and medium-sized logistics sorting centers with limited warehouse area, which can improve space utilization and reduce site costs.
Flexible layout
The narrow-band sorting machine is highly flexible and can be flexibly laid out according to the site shape and sorting needs of the sorting center. It can be placed in a variety of ways such as straight line, U-shaped, L-shaped, etc. to adapt to different site conditions. In addition, the narrowband sorter also supports modular design, which is convenient for adding sorting lines according to business growth to meet the changing sorting needs.
Stable drive
The narrowband sorter has various drive modes, including infrared electric roller drive and permanent magnet linear motor drive. These drive modes can ensure the stable operation of the sorter and improve the accuracy and efficiency of sorting. For example, the narrowband sorter driven by permanent magnet linear motor uses chain plate + joint bearing to install the fixed trolley, which has a more stable structure, the fastest running speed of the sorting line can reach 2.0 m/s, and the sorting efficiency can reach up to 9,000 pieces/hour.
Advantages of narrowband sorter
Wide range of applicable products
The narrowband sorter is suitable for sorting various types of goods, including small and medium-sized parcels, documents, e-commerce small items, small parts, medicines, food packaging, etc. It can handle parcels of different sizes, weights and shapes, and can also achieve flexible sorting for parcels with uneven bottoms, soft packages, small packages, and fragile packages such as wine and water, reducing the error rate and breakage rate. At the same time, the narrow-band sorting machine also supports compatible sorting of large and small pieces, without the need for initial sorting, which greatly improves the sorting efficiency.
Low construction cost
Compared with some large sorting equipment, the construction cost of the narrow-band sorting machine is relatively low. Its modular design and compact structure make the installation, commissioning and maintenance of the equipment more convenient, reducing the investment of manpower and material resources. In addition, the energy consumption and maintenance cost of the narrow-band sorting machine are relatively low. Compared with the traditional cross-belt sorting machine, the power consumption can be reduced by 40%, and the belt replacement cost can be reduced by 60%. This is of great economic significance for small and medium-sized logistics sorting centers with relatively limited funds.
High sorting efficiency
The narrow-band sorting machine has a high sorting efficiency and can meet the growing sorting needs of small and medium-sized logistics sorting centers. Its sorting efficiency can usually reach 5,000-25,000 pieces/hour, and the specific value depends on factors such as the average length of the package, the main line speed and the configuration of the equipment. In some actual application cases, the narrow-band sorting machine can efficiently handle a large number of packages during the 618 and Double Eleven e-commerce promotions to ensure the timely delivery of orders.
High sorting accuracy
The narrow-band sorting machine can achieve high-precision sorting through laser scanning or visual recognition technology. Its sorting accuracy can reach more than 99.9%, and even in some high-end equipment, the sorting accuracy can be as high as 99.99%. This high-precision sorting can effectively reduce the problem of misclassification and omission, improve customer satisfaction, and reduce the operating costs of logistics companies.
Application scenarios of narrow-band sorting machines
E-commerce warehousing and order processing
In the field of e-commerce warehousing and order processing, narrow-band sorting machines are suitable for e-commerce warehouses with an average daily order volume of more than 20,000 orders. It can efficiently handle the sorting of standardized commodities such as clothing, daily necessities, and 3C products, shorten the order outbound time, and improve the efficiency of logistics distribution. For example, in the storage centers of some large e-commerce companies, narrow-band sorting machines are used in conjunction with other automated equipment to realize the full process automation from order reception, commodity sorting to packaging outbound, which greatly improves operational efficiency.
Express distribution center
Express distribution center is one of the important application scenarios of narrow-band sorting machines. The combination of narrowband sorting machine and barcode/RFID technology can realize automatic sorting of express parcels by destination. Its efficient sorting capacity can cope with the peak business volume of the express industry, reduce the error rate of manual sorting, and improve the operating efficiency and service quality of the distribution center.
Manufacturing Parts Management
In the automotive, electronics and other manufacturing industries, narrowband sorting machines can be used for sorting small parts. It can support classification by production batch or model, improve the response speed of the supply chain, and ensure the smooth progress of the production process. For example, in the parts warehouse of an automobile manufacturer, a narrowband sorting machine can quickly and accurately sort parts of different models to the corresponding areas, providing timely support for production.
Pharmaceutical and Food Industry
The pharmaceutical and food industries have high requirements for hygiene and traceability. Narrowband sorting machines meet GMP clean standards and can handle pharmaceutical and food packaging. It can meet the industry's needs for hygiene and traceability and ensure product quality and safety. In the logistics center of a pharmaceutical company, a narrowband sorting machine can accurately sort drugs of different batches and specifications to the corresponding shipping area to achieve accurate distribution of drugs.
Book and document sorting
In libraries, archive management centers and other places, narrowband sorting machines can realize the rapid classification of books and documents. It can reduce labor costs, improve sorting efficiency, and facilitate readers and staff to find and use books and documents. For example, in some large libraries, narrowband sorting machines can quickly and accurately sort returned books to the corresponding bookshelf areas, improving the management level and service quality of the library.
Development trend of narrowband sorting machines
Intelligent upgrade
With the continuous development of technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, narrowband sorting machines will be upgraded in the direction of intelligence. In the future, narrowband sorting machines will have more powerful visual recognition, data analysis and autonomous decision-making capabilities, and will be able to monitor various data in the sorting process in real time, and automatically adjust sorting strategies according to the data to improve sorting efficiency and accuracy.
Green environmental protection
With the increasing awareness of environmental protection today, the development of narrowband sorting machines will also pay more attention to green environmental protection. In the future, narrowband sorting machines will adopt more energy-saving drive methods and more environmentally friendly materials to reduce energy consumption and environmental pollution during equipment operation.
Customized service
Logistics sorting centers of different industries and sizes have different demands for narrowband sorting machines. In the future, narrowband sorting machine suppliers will provide more customized services, design and produce narrowband sorting machines according to the specific needs of customers, and meet the personalized needs of customers.
With its compact structure, flexible layout, wide range of applicable products, low construction cost and high sorting efficiency, narrowband sorting machines have become an ideal choice for small and medium-sized logistics sorting centers. Narrowband sorting machines play an important role in many fields such as e-commerce, express delivery, manufacturing, medicine and food, books and documents. With the continuous advancement of technology, narrowband sorting machines will develop in the direction of intelligence, green environmental protection and customization, providing stronger support for the development of the logistics industry. Small and medium-sized logistics sorting centers should actively introduce narrowband sorting machines to improve their sorting capabilities and operational efficiency to adapt to the increasingly fierce market competition.