productnews 8 / 0 7 - Interroll

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INTERROLL
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P R O D U C T N E W S 8 / 0 7
INTERROLL CROSS BELT SORTERS
PRIMED FOR ACTION
Keeping a firm grip on processes and costs

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INTERROLL CROSS BELT SORTERS –
THE ECONOMICAL SOLUTION
Every day, millions of goods are in transit worldwide – and
the trend is rising. Tele-shopping, eCommerce, mail-order
business and ever shorter product life cycles are all
contributing to the rising tide of material and goods flow.
What is more, the sheer diversity of products destined for
all four corners of the world has put enormous demands
on internal processing and scheduling. This calls for
high-performance logistics with efficient sortation systems.
At the same time, the growing trend towards fast-paced
operations can prove to be a formidable growth drive
for courier, express and parcel services, postal centres,
mail-order operators, logistics service providers and
other distribution centres – especially if they install Interroll
sorters and conveyor modules to achieve long-term
productivity gains in their logistics chain. This applies
equally to large centralised hubs and smaller, regional
distribution centres.
When one considers that sorting, next to order picking,
is the most cost-intensive area of logistics, it pays to invest
in best-in-class solutions that combine the ultimate in
reliability with cost-effective performance.

ALWAYS ON THE SAFE SIDE
Interroll sorters are designed to offer total peace of mind:
� Extremely reliable, easy-to-operate sorting technology
� Highly economical, even for low throughputs
of 2,000 items/hour
� Long-term gain on short-term ROI (2–3 years)
� Adaptable to future growth
Sortation capability:
unit-load throughput per hour
8000
Interroll sorters
Efficient solutions for a wide range
of throughput volumes
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INTERROLL CROSS BELT SORTERS –
THE USER-FRIENDLY SOLUTION
FAST AND EASY INTEGRATION
Interroll sorters dovetail perfectly with existing systems.
Precision pre-assembly of sorting modules ex works
enables rapid plug-and-play installation on site.
Depending on the field of application and the available
space, you can choose between a horizontal, multidirectional
sorter (ring formation) or a vertical, circulating
sorter (line formation).
Vertical sorter (line formation)

Horizontal sorter (ring formation)
".... AND WHY CHOOSE AN INTERROLL
SORTER OVER OTHER BRANDS?"
Numerous companies around the globe have put their
trust in Interroll sorting technology because it offers them
the best value for money. Investing in Interroll sorters is
also considered a smart move because the economical,
reliable and easy-to-operate solutions developed by
one of the world’s leading suppliers within this market are
tailored to the requirements of fast-paced logistics:
� Wide range of uses for unit loads up to 35 kg –
of all different shapes, sizes and materials (mixed goods)
� Also suitable for particularly small parts and
sensitive goods
� Gentle handling due to low-impact cross belt technology
and precision transfer to individually configured
terminal points
� Low investment, operating and maintenance costs
� High availability due to proven mechanical design
� Extremely user-friendly thanks to ingeniously
simple, plug-and-play technology
� Minimal maintenance and servicing required
� Enhanced working environment due to low-noise
operation (less than 68 dBA) and optimal ergonomics
� Individually fitted for manual, semi-automatic
or fully automatic in-feed of unit loads
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INTERROLL CROSS BELT SORTERS –
THE FLEXIBLE SOLUTION
VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE
Interroll sorters quickly and reliably distribute unit loads
weighing anything from 50 g to 35 kg: totes, cardboard
boxes, parcels, large envelopes, bundles of letters,
polythene pouches, etc. What is more, it is immaterial
whether the packaged products are small or large,
robust or fragile. This includes drink sachets and bottles
as well as eggs and other foodstuffs, multimedia products,
plastic parts, shrink-wrapped products, glassware,
contact lenses, textiles, books, flyers, magazines
and catalogues, cosmetics – absolutely anything that
has to reach its destination at the agreed time.
PIN-POINT PRECISION ALL THE WAY
The goods reach the sorting line either via manual or semiautomatic
merge points or by fully automatic feed.
The destination input method is entirely determined by
the organisational processes of each customer,
e.g. by typing in a code number, scanning a code or via
automatic recognition. Once the sorter has recognised
a package, the destination data is retained in the
system until the package has been correctly discharged
from the sorter.

THE BENEFITS ARE PATENTLY OBVIOUS
The key elements of these sorters are the cross belt
carriers with their patented mechanical drive. They sit on
polyurethane-encased rollers in aluminium frames
(linear sorters) or on steel tubes (horizontal sorters) and
are pulled by a reinforced rubber drive belt. Once a cross
belt carrier reaches its intended destination, a pneumatically
actuated plate makes contact with a drive wheel
Cross belt carriers
mounted underneath the chassis of the cross belt carrier.
In this way, the motion of the carrier is converted into
driving the cross belt, bringing the goods gently to their
desired destination.
Pressure plate
Drive wheel
Pneumatic cylinder
Rubber drive belt
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INTERROLL CROSS BELT SORTERS –
THE COST-CUTTING SOLUTION
STREAMLINING AT ITS BEST
Designed to be mechanically robust and maintenancefriendly,
the electronic components of the Interroll sorter
are deliberately kept to a minimum. This reduces both
the cost and the required maintenance time.
The streamlined design of Interroll’s mechanical cross belt
sorters is achieved with the help of high-performance
helical geared motors. The pulling mechanism is a reinforced
rubber drive belt with internal steel cables, to which
the cross belt carriers are connected via flexible pulleys.
Compared to sorters with so-called linear motors,
this drive mechanism is three times as effective, while also
delivering all the added energy-saving benefits. This
translates into even greater cost savings. In addition, the
direct drive principle, and a fixed connection between
each carrier and the drive belt, ensures secure tracking of
products, via a single, standard industrial encoder.
Motor
Pressure unit
Rubber drive belt
Drive motor Drive chain
Mechanically designed through and through and fitted with
premium-quality parts, the Interroll sorter is a cost saver
and an economical investment for long-term productivity
gains within the field of distribution. Its low-noise operation
also helps to create a pleasant working environment.

TRIED AND TRUSTED END-POINT
CONFIGURATIONS
Customers can rely on a host of trusted terminal configurations
for various receptacles: quick and easy disposable
sacks, trolleys, returnable containers, combo fixtures
for totes, adaptable bags or trolleys and individually
configured chutes, which Interroll will test for at its own
facility.
EMPTY-CONTAINER FEEDS AND DIS-
CHARGE LINES FOR FULL CONTAINERS
Empty trays can be fed along zero-pressure Intelliveyor
roller conveyors to the end points, where they can be
filled by hand and sent on their way by conveyor belts.
The key cost-saving factor here is that the containers can
be filled to the maximum level. This reduces the number
of containers required to forward the goods and keeps
the overall volume down to a minimum.
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THE HORIZONTAL CROSS BELT SORTER
FLEXIBLE, SPACE-MAXIMISING
CONFIGURATION
Horizontal sorters offer the distinct advantage of multidirectional
routing with integrated curves – capable
of navigating higher and lower floor levels. Transfers and
end points can be arranged in a variety of ways to
enhance the overall performance of the system. With the
right configuration, several sortation areas can also
be implemented within the same circuit. The Interroll
horizontal sorter is ideal wherever space is at a premium.
For instance, two sorters with an identical footprint
can be installed one above the other, as a two-tier solution.
Unlike their vertical counterparts, horizontal sorters can
also re-circulate any unit loads not recognised by the
ID system or not discharged when terminal points are full
to capacity.

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THE VERTICAL CROSS BELT SORTER
SPACE-SAVING, COMPACT DESIGN
The key feature of the vertical sorter with linear, straightline
routing is its distinctive space-saving, compact
and modular design. A width of just 1.7 m is sufficient for
one vertical sorter with cross belt carriers measuring
400 mm x 400 mm. This type of configuration also saves
valuable space if the transfer track for full containers
is mounted between the upper and lower run. There is no
other sorter like it on the market.
Input for a vertical sorter generally begins with a collection
belt in front of the actual sorting section – a simple
conveyor belt. The unit loads can be manually placed
directly onto this collection belt – a cost-effective, flexible
and ergonomical solution. Naturally the collection belt
also comes with optional semi-automatic or fully automatic
transfer lines.

PRACTICAL IN-FEED AND END-POINT
TECHNOLOGY
Scanners, scales and labelling machines can be incorporated
in the lead-in section to the sorter – simple conveyor
belts – so that the goods can be identified before
they reach the vertical sorter via synchronisation belts (top
loaders). This top-loading system without change of
direction ensures reliable sortation of even the lightest or
most fragile goods.
The terminal points of a vertical sorter are directly accessible
from both sides. Thus, Interroll is able to implement
the best possible configuration to suit your application
requirements. Furthermore, a re-circulation section
can be incorporated as an option for the automatic return
of any non-discharged items.
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INTERROLL AUTOMATION
THE HUB OF
DISTRIBUTION LOGISTICS
Products developed by Interroll are deployed on a global
scale – wherever goods have to be conveyed, stored or
distributed. Offering cutting-edge solutions that span the
entire value chain, Interroll is recognised as a trusted
partner to a diverse range of industries all over the globe.
Our goal is to position ourselves as a world leader in
selected product segments for internal unit-load handling.
Established in 1959 and listed on the Swiss Stock
Exchange SWX, the Interroll Group currently employs
1,300 people within a global network of companies.
Within the Interroll Group, the Interroll Automation business
unit focuses on the area of intralogistics. It develops,
produces and markets subsystems and conveyor
modules, such as sorters, merges/inward transfers, belt
curves, belt conveyors and Intelliveyor roller conveyor
modules for zero-pressure unit-load handling. The Interroll
Competence Centre located in Sinsheim, Germany, is
responsible for global product management, research
and development, manufacturing and production
technology, strategic procurement, logistics and technical
support for local production and assembly companies
within the global Interroll network.
Interroll Automation
A business unit of the Interroll Group
www.interroll.com

INTERROLL CROSS BELT SORTERS IN
SYNC WITH CONNECTING CONVEYOR
TECHNOLOGY
Make sure you choose Interroll modules for the
conveyor technology running to and from your sorter:
belt curves and spiral belt curves, merges/in-feeds,
Intelliveyor roller conveyor modules for zero-pressure
unit- load handling and belt conveyors
Cross belt sorters/merges
Contact:
Hans Kratz
h.kratz@interroll.com
+49 7261 938 171
Intelliveyor roller conveyors
Contact:
Christian Hagmaier
c.hagmaier@interroll.com
+49 7261 938 170
Belt curves/spiral belt curves
Contact:
Christian Spiess
c.spiess@interroll.com
+49 7261 938 186
Belt conveyors
Contact:
Rüdiger Obländer
r.oblaender@interroll.com
+49 7261 938 134
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Centre of Excellence
for Conveyor Modules
Germany
Interroll Automation GmbH
Untere Au 4
D-74889 Sinsheim
Tel. +49 7261 938-0
Fax +49 7261 938 124
automation@interroll.com
Europe
United Kingdom
Interroll Ltd.
Brunel Road
Earlstrees Industrial Estate
Corby, Northants NN17 4UX
UK
Tel. +44 1536 748520
Fax +44 1536 748585
gb-automation@interroll.com
France
Interroll SAS
Z.I. De Kerannou-BP34
F-29250 Saint-Pol-de-Léon
Tel. +33 6 82 56 65 16
Fax +33 2 98 24 41 02
f-sales@interroll.com
Spain
Interroll España S.A.
C.I. Santiga
C/Puig dels Tudons 5
E-08210 Barberà del Vallès
Tel. +34 93 729 96 50
Fax +34 93 718 96 50
e-sales@interroll.com
Africa
South Africa
Interroll S.A. (Pty. Ltd.)
P.O. Box 327
Isando 1600
ZA-Gauteng
South Africa
Tel. +27 11 974 19 01
Fax +27 11 974 18 96
za-sales@interroll.com
North and South America
USA
Interroll Automation, LLC
4650 New Middle Road
Bridgeport Business Center
USA-Jeffersonville, IN 47130
Tel. +1 812 284 - 1000
Fax +1 812 284 - 1001
usa-automation@interroll.com
Asia
China
Interroll (Suzhou) Co. Ltd.
Unit 10B, Modern Xian Dai
Industrial Square
No. 333 Xing Pu Road
Suzhou Industrial Park
Jiangsu Province
People’s Republic of China
Postal Code: 215126
Tel. +86 512 6256 0383
Fax +86 512 6256 0385
cn-sales@interroll.com
Singapore
Interroll (Asia) Pte. Ltd.
386 Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim
Singapore 629156
Republic of Singapore
Tel. +65 6266 6322
Fax +65 6266 6849
sgp-sales@interroll.com
www.interroll.com EN OCT/2007. 5000/LST/KON