Sort to sub-segment
Belgian fashion retailer JBC Mode commissioned Equinox MHE with the turnkey project for automating and expanding the logistics process in its DC.
The Equinox Wide Oval Sorter is at the heart of the system. Totes arriving at the sorter each contain one of four segments of garments: Men, Women, Kids and Mix. The main purpose of the Wide Oval Sorter is to sort them into totes per store, per segment and even per sub-segment, accurately and efficiently.
A very important but less visible part of the JBC Mode turnkey project is the Warehouse Control System. This IT system controls all subsystems such as the flat and hang sorter systems, conveyors, buffers and robot. JBC Mode’s host system provides distribution information to the WCS and the WCS reports back to the host system.
The Wide Oval Sorter (WOS) sorts flat garments and fashion accessories, either packed in polybags or unpacked. Trains of totes are automatically transported from the pre-sorter to the WOS. Totes are evenly distributed over the 16 induction stations.
Each induction zone has four induction stations equipped with scanners and screens. Trays are double tray type meaning that one tray can hold one large product or two smaller ones.
Empty totes are placed beneath the sorter stations on an empty tote carousel. At the right destination the tray opens and the product drops onto a metal plate that either tilts to the right or left and lets the product slide gently into a tote on the right or the left.
Operators around the sorter push full totes onto the conveyor belt underneath the WOS, transporting the totes out of the sorter. Full totes arrive at the tote-turn unit and label applicator stations to receive a shipping label before they are transported to the shipping buffer and palletising robot.
