The principle in one sentence: diverting ejection, not lateral translation
On many sorters the discharge action is “pushing the parcel out sideways”. The cross-belt sorter is not — it ejects the parcel along a diagonal ：
The parcel on the slat chain at the line speed 1.5 m/s moving forward;
On reaching the target module, the module deflects 45° , giving the parcel a lateral component;
Axial velocity does not vanish , the two components combine → the item travels along a diagonal;The slope of this diagonal is fixed: 0.75 m/s laterally, 1.5 m/s longitudinally, resultant angle approx. 26.6° ；
Module deflection approx.0.5 s then it returns automatically to centre and waits for the next item.
Because it “throws” rather than “pushes”, the mechanism has no long-stroke reciprocating translation parts: fewer moving parts, less impact and lower maintenance.
Why the drop point lands exactly in the chute
When the parcel is ejected it still carries an axial speed of 1.5 m/s, with only 0.75 m/s laterally; the ratio of the two components is fixed at 1 : 2 . Therefore the chute centreline as a whole lags behind the module by about 400 mm , so that the end of the diagonal falls exactly into the centre of the chute, without hitting the edge or skipping a chute.
What actually happens inside the module: a three-stage friction relay
There is no motor inside the module pushing the parcel.Lateral sorting speed is generated passively —— Speed is transmitted stage by stage along three levels of friction contact; each stage can only transmit the other's speed at Projection component along its own rolling direction ：
Level 1 · Power source : the main line belt surface (modular belt) at 1.5 m/s runs at constant speed;Level 2 · Passive : the divert module swings to 45° , the driven wheel in contact with the belt surface is turned by friction and only “catches” the projection of the belt surface speed onto its own rolling direction: 1.5 × cos45° ≈1.06 m/s ；Level 3 · Output : the driven wheel then drives the roller shaft, and the output direction is Transverse (sorting direction) ：
1.06 × sin45° ≈ 0.75 m/s ——exactly half the main line speed 。
Three sorting motions · enter → divert → drop into chute
1 Entry
Target group · steering module
Dual-side chutes of this group (small slide chutes)
After the parcel is automatically centred in the head section Single row travels along and reaches the position of the divert module corresponding to its target chute.
2 Divert
45°
Module deflects 45°
The lateral component pushes the parcel off the conveying surface
The divert module deflects toward the target side 45° , the parcel gains a lateral component and is thrown off;Axial velocity does not vanish , the two components combine into a diagonal.
3 Drop into chute
Lag 400
Chute centre
The parcel falls into the chute (small slide) along a diagonal, landing downstream of the module 400 mm ; the module returns automatically to the straight position after about 0.5 s.
Segment composition
※ All section widths equal the slat chain width (chute depth 800 mm). The table above gives the current final dimensions for the 500 mm chain width; the head section, tail section and chute depth scale proportionally with the belt width, subject to the technical agreement.
What this structure delivers
Dual-side chutes · space-saving
One line section discharges at the upper and lower levels at the same time, doubling the number of chutes. The total width incl. chutes is only “slat chain width + 2 × chute depth”, halving the line length compared with a single-side layout.
Chute length is selected by item type
750 / 1000 / 1200 / 1500 / 2000 mm, five options. Short chutes for small items make the line shorter; long chutes for medium and large items avoid pinching, so one model covers different item types.
Chute count matches the number of destinations
3 ～ 20 per side, up to 40 on both sides. Adding a destination = adding a middle sorting section; the head and tail sections stay unchanged, making retrofit and expansion inexpensive.
Assembled from standard segment modules
The head section / middle sorting section / tail section are standard sections, combined on site according to the project length: short lead time, common spare parts, and later extension only needs inserting a section.
Single slat chain section replaceable
The cross-belt is a modular plastic slat chain; a locally damaged segment is replaced individually, with no need to change the whole belt and only short downtime.
All equipment self-manufactured
Manufactured in Jaytom's own factory: frame, slat chain sections and controls are all in-house standard parts, so lead time and after-sales response are controllable, with custom modifications per project.
Measured with current configuration
Footprint estimate (rectangular) —
Head section / Tail section —
Cycle time per chute group —
Three choices determine the machine
Look at three figures:Slat chain width (determines which item types can pass),Chute length (determines how large an item a single chute can hold),Number of chutes (determines how many destinations can be sorted). After the selection, the model, overall dimensions and footprint are shown in real time below.
How is the footprint calculated: Estimated by the rectangle “overall length × total width incl. chutes” = overall length × (slat chain width + 2 × chute depth). The actual factory layout may be more compact (for example, no consolidation area on the chute side).Space for consolidation positions / cage positions must be reserved on the chute side , it is advisable to leave a maintenance walkway as well.※ Five chute length options 750/1000/1200/1500/2000 are Globally unified level , independent of the slat chain width option,Does not scale with belt width ; the slat chain width only determines the lower limit (300→450 / 400→600 / 500·600→750 / 800→1200 mm). Chute depth and head/tail section lengths are subject to the technical agreement.
Key parameters
Throughput basis
The sorter's own sorting capacity is far greater than 5500 items/h,Actual throughput depends on the item type, the clearance and the upstream induction rate , not the equipment limit. The rate is set by(Item length L + clearance d) ÷ line speed vcalculate, then multiply by the engineering factor:
Line speed is taken as 1.5 m/s. Therefore There are only three ways to raise throughput: higher line speed, shorter item length, smaller clearance —— Increasing belt width or adding more chutes does not raise throughput (the number of chutes only determines how many destinations can be sorted, not the speed).
Naming rules for the straight-type modular sorter (ZX series):
ZX - [Chute size] - [Module type] - [Belt width]
Slat chain width only determines the minimum chute: 300→450 / 400→600 / 500·600→750 / 800→1200 mm.
Example: ZX-750-I-500＝ Chute length 750 mm, central sorting section, slat chain width 500 mm. A complete machine is usually made up of several sections, for exampleZX-750-O-500(head section) +ZX-750-I-500×6 (6 middle sorting sections) +ZX-750-O-500(tail section).
Upstream incoming requirements
The cross-belt is Execute equipment and does not break up clusters. Upstream must ensure One piece, in order, with clearance Incoming flow (recommended clearance between items ≥ 400 mm), otherwise chutes will mis-sort and labels will be duplicated. This is usually handled by Item singulation system + DWS weighing and scanning done; the simplified configuration is induction line → DWS.
The incoming item type must be within the parcel specification range of the selected belt-width grade;The longest side must not exceed the slat chain width 。
The head section has built-in centring and tolerates a small lateral offset in the incoming flow, but it cannot replace upstream separation and centring equipment.
Downstream and site
Chute type:Small chute , on the chute side, consolidation positions / cage positions and an operating aisle must be reserved.
The footprint is estimated as “overall length × total width incl. chutes”; the actual layout can be optimised to the building shape.
The end of the tail section is the outlet for exception / oversized items and requires a recirculation line or a collection container.
Engineering conditions
“Standard configuration” refers to specifications included with this model as shipped; “Confirmed per project” must be tied to on-site conditions and is confirmed together with the technical agreement.
How is the number of chutes determined?
According to Number of sort destinations decide — one chute per destination (region / branch / SKU group). Count the destinations first, then allow 15 ～ 20% redundancy; that is the number of chutes. Maximum 20 per side (40 for both sides); beyond that the line becomes too long and each chute too narrow, which is unfavourable both visually and economically.
How to choose the chute length?
For the largest item size Along-the-run length choose, generally 1.5 ～ 2 times the item length: small items commonly use 750 mm; general use 1000 ～ 1200 mm; medium and large items 1500 ～ 2000 mm. A short chute makes the line short and saves floor space; a long chute keeps large items from jamming.
Could a parcel hit the chute edge or fall to the floor?
No. When a parcel is ejected it still carries an axial speed of 1.5 m/s and follows a fixed diagonal (aspect ratio 1 : 2): while moving 400 mm laterally it moves 800 mm longitudinally, and the minimum chute length (750 mm) is itself close to 800, so the end of the diagonal lands exactly at the chute centre.
What throughput can it actually reach?
Planned value 5500 parcels/h . The machine's own sorting capacity is far greater than this; actual throughput depends on Item type, clearance and upstream induction rhythm determine it. Cycle ＝(item length ＋ clearance)/line speed; the smaller the item and the tighter the clearance, the higher the throughput.
Can it sort various parcels?
Within the designed item range, all kinds of parcels can be sorted regardless of packaging form. Out-of-spec items (over-length, overweight, unreadable) are not mis-sorted: they travel straight to the tail section and are discharged through the exception chute for manual handling.
How to choose against wheel divert and cross-belt sorters?
Cross-belt:Straight layout, dual-side chutes, high chute density , suitable for scenarios with small to medium-large items, many destinations and a long, narrow plant; the wheel divert sorter as a standalone machine is compact and suited to standalone sorting; the cross-belt sorter suits very large chute counts and high throughput. Jaytom manufactures all three, and the final recommendation is made based on item type, chute count and site.