Automated material handling systems supplier Beumer Group has announced the launch of two new modular sorting solutions – the new multi-use pouch sortation system and the completely redesigned and overhauled paletpac range of robust palletizers.
The BG Pouch System, which has been designed to meet omnichannel and D2C operators’ demands for leaner e-commerce fulfilment, is a single multi-purpose system for buffering, sorting, sequencing and returns handling.
Less manual handling
Each BG Pouch System module can handle more than 10,000 pouches per hour, according to Beumer, and offers a more flexible automation process which enables reverse item handling to be completed with less manual handling.
This specialised e-commerce fulfilment technology can transport, sort, sequence and store both outbound and returned items in a much leaner sequence, requiring less manual intervention, and reducing the number of product touches in the returns process by more than 50%.
This simplified handling of returns is achieved by placing each item directly into a pouch rather than sending it back to the regular storage area. The pouch system serves as an interim storage buffer for returned items.
When goods are sold again, they can be sent for sortation and shipment directly from the dynamic buffer without being sent back to the main storage area and without having to be re-picked.
Overcoming space constraints
The BG Pouch System is also ideal for sites that are space constrained, Beumer notes, as being ceiling mounted it represents a massive saving on space and enables easy deployment when floor area is a limiting factor. Additionally, as a modular system the BG Pouch System can also be readily scaled up when required with minimal installation time.
The system runs on a contactless magnetic drive that gives friction-free operation with the complete avoidance of energy- and maintenance-heavy pneumatics, which means lower operating costs through minimal wear on mechanical parts, less maintenance, a reduced number of spares and a minimum of cleaning requirements.
The system is also highly flexible, being able to handle a wide range of packages from cartons to polybags and having a high weight capacity of up to 7kg per pouch, making it ideally suited to handling a wide product profile, including print and media, pharmaceuticals and beauty products, and electronics.
Stephan Heessels, Director for Beumer Group Logistic Systems, said: “We see a huge potential for our modern version of the pouch technology. The handling of returns is going to be an ongoing and growing challenge, and omnichannel distributors need to be able to optimise their processes for faster goods-to-consumer cycles and a vastly lower need for operators to touch items.”
The paletpac range
Meanwhile, Beumer’s new overhauled paletpac range of robust palletizers now offer identical or similar components and modules and – wherever possible – are based on the same design. The total number of components has been reduced and faster deliveries are possible, Beumer noted.
Beumer configures the modules according to each customer’s requirements, tests them in-house and installs them on the customer’s premises, saving time and money.
“Our paletpac series is keyed to the characteristics of the packaged goods and complies with the customers’ requirements for packing patterns and pallet dimensions,” said Kay Wieczorek, Divisional Director of Product Business at Beumer.
The new paletpac range is also easier to install, as modules are designed so they can be picked up from two sides; it is more compact, energy efficient, and reliable; and it has been equipped with a larger deposit table. With maximum layer dimensions of 1,500 x 1,300mm, it can accept bags filled with bulk materials on euro pallets or pallets with other formats.
The BEUMER paletpac range continues to offer a wide range of models at different capacity levels. Machines in the low-throughput range stack up to 1,800 bags per hour. Those in the medium and high-throughput ranges stack up to 3,200 and 6,000 bags per hour respectively.
