The principle in one sentence
The full line is a single Constant-velocity straight line: induction → pulling → item singulation → centring → weighing and scanning → modular belt sorting → dual-side chutes. Each stage does only one thing, relying on Speed differentialand Divert ejectionRelease and chute drop are completed without lateral translation.
Three actions
- Queue · Separate: incoming items pass through the induction / pulling section in a mass; after entering the singulator (4×4, 4 rows along the flow × 4 columns across)Row-by-row accelerationDifferential speed separates items front to back: in the same lane the trailing item yields and the leading one accelerates; contact does not penetrate (stops when blocked, no reversing, no teleporting).
- Look closely: the centring unit converges in a V shape, narrowing the downstream equipment from 800 to 600 wide and centring it; the weighing and scanning section performs dynamic weighing + scanning, with an external multi-side scan frame. This is the only place on the line Does not change the parcel flow directionof a segment.
- Discharge: the head section of the modular belt has built-in centring; each divert unit in the middle sorting section can deflect, throwing the parcel sideways when it arrives, retaining its axial inertia to follow a diagonal descent path, falling into the chute 400 mm downstream, and the unit returns to the neutral position automatically.
Item singulator Does not centre items(centring is completed by the centring unit via funnel-type merging); the induction / pulling section only performs Anti-overlap and flow control(clearance 200 mm); reaching a full 500 mm is done by the singulator.
Top-view structure drawing (to actual dimensions)
Segment dimensions (W × L, mm)
| Section | Width | Length | Description |
|---|
| Induction | 800 | 2000 | Horizontal belt, 2~5 m selectable to site |
| Induction section (within item singulation) | 800 | 1600 | combined with the induction section into a start/stop metering queue area |
| Item singulator 4×4 | 800 | 1600 | Row-by-row acceleration differential + yielding within the same lane |
| Centering unit | 800 → 600 | 1200 | Angled rollers converge in a V and narrow the flow at the same time |
| Induction section (after the centering unit) | 600 | 800 | Spacing is created again to guarantee the clear gap entering the DWS |
| Weighing and scanning section | 600 | 800 | Dynamic weighing + barcode scanning, with external multi-side scan frame |
| Cross-belt · Head section | 500 | 1750 | Built-in centring, so this line does not require a buffer section |
| Cross-belt · Central sorting section | 500 | 750 × 6 = 4500 | Section length = chute length, includes 1 diverter unit |
| Cross-belt · Tail section | 500 | 1250 | Main loop motor, provides motion power to the slat chain |
Belt-width convergence path 800 → 600 → 500: the singulator's 4 columns × 200 = 800 exactly matches the 800 belt width; after the centring unit the whole line is 600, and entering the modular belt it is 500.
Chute and parcel
| items | Value | Description |
|---|
| Chute length (along the conveying direction) | 750 mm | Options: 750 / 1000 / 1200 / 1500 / 2000 |
| Chute lag diverting unit | 400 mm | After ejection the axial inertia remains, so the drop point lags |
| Chute layout | Dual-side | N on each side, upper and lower (2N total), form = small chute |
| Parcel dimensions | 100×200 ～ 300×400 | Lateral × longitudinal (mm); the longest side must not exceed the belt width |
| Line speed | 1.5 m/s | Centering unit outlet speed; constant speed is maintained along the whole line |
| Sorting throughput | 5500 parcels/h | Constant speed at the centering unit outlet, 4×4 item singulation induction |
Current configuration
Upstream incoming parcels
- Incoming items allowed Clustered: the pulling section only guarantees anti-overlap (clearance 200 mm), not a 500 mm pitch.
- occurs randomly Manual batch dumping (batch infeed)—— It is exactly this kind of incoming material that tests the gate and the singulator.
- Parcel range 100×200 ～ 300×400 mm, longest side not exceeding the belt surface width.
Downstream and site
- Downstream connects directly to Dual-side chutes; the chute centreline is positioned 400 mm downstream of the divert unit.
- Induction section 2~5 m selected by site; total length of the middle sorting section = chute length × number of chutes per side.
- Chutes: 3~20 per side (6~40 double-sided); reserving 15~20% redundancy is more reliable.
Configuration and selection
- Scan: top scan (integrated weighing and scanning on the top face) / multi-side scan (external frame + cameras on each face) / six-side (top/bottom/front/back/left/right).
- Six-side cameras: 5+1 (standard) / 6+1 / 8+1 / more; bottom face 8K line scan + perforated belt for backlighting.
- Induction stages: with item singulation → single pulling section; without singulation, <3000 single / 3000~5000 dual / ≥5000 triple; if space is tight, single/dual is preferred.
- Buffer section: for connection to the modular belt Not required(the head section has built-in 1750 mm centring); required only when connecting to a wheel divert sorter.
All equipment self-manufactured; this solution does not cover inclines for now.
Canvas legend
Induction section■
Item singulator 4×4■
Centering unit (narrowing)■
Weighing and scanning section■
Singulator modules · slow / normal / accelerating■
Divert unit · Return to straight / Sorting■
Ejection trajectory■
Dual-side chutes■
Operating notes
- Lower-left floating label:Infeed flow rateHigh / Medium / Low +Induction / pulling start-stop; when the flow is too dense, the whole group is held in a queue.
- The real-time readout in the bottom bar is Simulated throughput, set value 5500 items/h; if the two are close, the incoming flow keeps pace.
- Shortcut:SpacePause / Resume ·FFocus view ·← →Change chute length ·RollerZoom.
For the detailed solution (including project cases and online solution configuration), see
Documentation →