January 26, 2018 - Tompkins Robotics, a division of Tompkins International, has just released a new video sharing the innovation behind t-Sort. The video explains Tompkins Robotics and the benefits it provides. Tompkins Robotics has partnered with Lab Z to bring a portable, automated sortation system, t-Sort, already patented in North America and Europe. This robotic technology is designed help build supply chains. The design can accomplish volumes ranging from millions of units a day, to a small operation in the backroom of a supercenter or mall anchor store.
The t-Sort system performs much like a tilt tray or crossbelt sorter. However, the difference is it uses completely independent robots. This is the equivalent of having a tilt tray with no track allowing each robot to travel to any divert or induction station independently along the shortest path. Robots, chutes, and induction stations can be added modularly at any time; an additional robot can be added in seconds.
The standard system operates on two levels and allows sortation of a variety of goods. Individual items range from extremely small cosmetics to gallon containers of liquids. The system is ideally suited to handle apparel, footwear, general merchandise, single items, and innerpacks. Parcels sorted include bags, boxes, and mailers. Overall the system handles loads up to a 30 x 36 inch footprint.
Unit sortation and parcel sortation can take place simultaneously and flex as needed on demand.