Pouch Sorter SSI Carrier

Space-saving, modular pouch sorter for e-commerce and omnichannel distribution

The SSI Carrier, the pouch sorter by SSI SCHAEFER, is a space-saving and versatile overhead conveying system for parallel processing of different sales channels. As part of the SSI Overhead Conveyors product family, it enables the floor-free transport of goods by taking advantage of unused space below the ceiling.

Conveying, buffering, sorting, and sequencing of flat and hanging goods in one system

One single load carrier enables conveying, buffering, sorting, and sequencing of flat and hanging goods in one system, while also achieving high throughput. The automated sortation solution brings customer orders in any desired sequence and ensures effective returns handling, which makes it particularly well suited for e-commerce.

The SSI Carrier

ensures gentle transportation of products
requires minimal footprint
guarantees highest storage density
offers high scalability and flexible system expansions through a modular, customizable design

HOW DOES THE POUCH SORTER OPTIMIZE YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN?

One system solution for individually sorting flat and hanging goods

Automated sorting and sequencing

The special feature of the pouch sorter is its unique matrix sorting algorithm. The matrix sortation in combination with the dynamic buffering system makes it possible

to bring items picked in batches from different storage zones in sorted customer orders
to provide quick delivery at the packing stations in any desired sequence and within a short time

By using RFID technology and by processing individual items, the system can perfectly handle flexible order structures and combine small e-commerce orders, large retail orders and orders for Pick & Collect for a large spectrum of articles. The automated system reduces product touches and solves the key requirements in e-commerce across various industries.

Efficient returns handling

Especially for the fashion industry, fast and effective processing of returns is of highest importance.

After a quality check, returned goods that are in high demand are placed in the pouches of the SSI Carrier system and stored directly in the dynamic buffer of the SSI Carrier. The goods are thus immediately back in the system and are fully available for new orders and re-shipment — saving valuable time.

This process

ensures permanent and reliable availability of the articles
represents an optimal solution for just-in-time or same-day delivery

Gentle Product Handling

The SSI Carrier ensures very gentle transportation of goods in pouches by using an innovative concept for driven accumulation conveyors. This prevents the pouches from colliding with each other, something that usually occurs on gravity-based declining conveyors. This is key for the handling of sensitive products and packaging, for example in the Healthcare & Cosmetics industry.

Scalability and high sorting performance

The smart and modular design of the SSI Carrier system allows for high scalability, because standard components can be combined variably and economically. Thus, very high sorting performances of several thousand to tens of thousands of items per hour can be achieved through smart combination of various modules. This means that the system is very flexible and adapts to future business volumes at any time.

Optimized use of space and high storage density

The SSI Carrier is also known for its optimized space usage. The system can be designed over several levels with a compact in-house steel construction saving valuable warehouse space. Moreover, using driven accumulation conveyors allows for a lower construction height. The reduced size results in increased storage density and thus the system considerably contributes to increased efficiency and reduced costs.

Sustainability

The overhead conveying system achieves energy savings by switching off conveyors on-demand for areas currently not being used, thus saving power. Energy efficiency is also improved thanks to the efficiency of the system from a process view. The system’s flexibility and performance allows it to fulfill many different requirements within one system, so customers need less machinery and power to fulfill their demand.

SSI CARRIER: THE INTELLIGENT WAY FROM LOADING TO PACKAGING

The SSI Carrier is a modularly designed pouch conveyor used for hanging transport of different items like shoes, electrical devices, toys, household appliances, cosmetics and garments.

SSI CARRIER - The intelligent pouch sorter system

Whether storage of hanging goods, manual storage of flat goods or highly automated storage with shuttle systems, the picked goods as well as the returns arrive at the pouch sorter and are then consolidated and assembled into customer orders:

1. At the loading stations, each item is placed individually into a pouch, hanging garments are attached directly with a hanger.

2. By scanning the item, the product barcode is connected to the respective RFID transponder of the carrier and can be identified throughout the entire system. The accuracy of the RFID technology ensures the system has high reliability and process stability.

3. After loading the items, all further steps are carried out automatically. Pre-picked items are buffered in various highly dynamic buffer systems and sorting batches are formed from customer orders.

4. Then, the items arrive at the matrix sorter, where they are sorted according to the desired sequence – also within a customer order. Orders with different sizes and destinations can be processed at the same time and are unloaded at unloading stations.

5. After packing, the orders are provided for shipment.

SOPHISTICATED MATERIAL HANDLING FROM A SINGLE SOURCE

The entire process mentioned above is controlled by the state-of-the-art and user-friendly logistics software WAMAS®. Optimum interfaces to the customer system ensure that it can be smoothly integrated into almost any type of warehouse. In addition to monitoring the system and controlling the material flow, WAMAS® also takes on the task of tracking goods and visualizing them with WAMAS Lighthouse.

"The e-commerce business faces a highly dynamic development. We offer our customers a cost-efficient and compact solution which allows for a flexible adaption to future requirements. Together with a tailor-made software solution and state-of-the-art visualization technology as well as customized service, SSI SCHAEFER provides the customer with an overall solution from a single source. “

Dr. Michael Zacher, Product Manager Overhead Conveying, SSI Schaefer

SSI CARRIER – BENEFITS, APPLICATION USES AND COMPONENTS

A Reliable, versatile, and unique system

SSI Carrier benefits at a glance

•   Gentle transportation of products
•   Optimized use of space and high storage density
•   High scalability and flexible expansion through modular, customizable design
•   Everything from one source including overall software solution and service
•   Fulfillment of e-com, retail, and Click & Collect orders from one warehouse
•   Automatic sorting and sequencing in customer-specific sequences with high sorting performance
•   High sorting accuracy, load securing and process safety thanks to RFID technology
•   Efficient returns handling
•   Garment on hangers and flat packed items can be transported in one system
•   Minimal product touches and efficient staff deployment
•   User-friendliness thanks to simple user interface

Application uses of the SSI Carrier pouch sorter

The SSI Carrier is especially suitable for e-commerce and omnichannel applications within Fashion, Healthcare & Cosmetics or Retail & Wholesale. Items such as clothes, shoes, cosmetics, or home appliances up to 2,5 kg are transported within the pouches. By attaching goods to the hanger directly, for example clothing on hangers, an article weight of 3kg is possible.

Components of the SSI Carrier system

Carrier: Roller adapter, which holds and transports pouches or hangers, and can be reliably identified by RFID chip
Circulation conveyor: A conveyor that connects horizontal or platform overlapping functional units
Accumulation conveyor: Flexible conveyor for transporting, accumulating, sorting, and buffering on horizontal conveying sections
Angle conveyor: Used to master considerable height differences on short sections
Switch: The connecting element between the circulation conveyor and accumulation conveyor
Loading station: Intake of items into the SSI Carrier system
Unloading station: Items are unloaded and packed in desired sequence

SSI CARRIER IN MOTION AT FENIX OUTDOOR LOGISTICS FOR OMNICHANNEL DISTRIBUTION

Case Study: a flexible solution thanks to the highly dynamic SSI Carrier pouch sorter.

TAILOR-MADE LOGISTICS SOLUTION FOR E-COM AND STORE DELIVERY

If you are looking for suitable clothing and equipment for your next outdoor adventure, Fenix provides a wide range of premium goods. The Fenix Outdoor Logistics GmbH supplies stores in Germany and Scandinavia as well as e-commerce customers on a daily basis from their new logistics center in Ludwigslust.

SSI SCHAEFER worked as general contractor and created a tailor-made logistics solution including a turnkey implementation in order to meet the growing challenges of the omnichannel business.

Optimum handling of different characteristics of sales channels played an important role in this. Store deliveries are all about correct pre-sorting and sequencing of goods, while e-commerce stresses fast order processing of numerous small orders and highly efficient processing of returns. The core of the system is the innovative pouch sorter SSI Carrier by SSI SCHAEFER.

“The pouch sorter is an important component for our concept of a “best in class” logistics operation. It serves to process the majority of orders with a high degree of automation. This results in very short throughput times with signiﬁcantly reduced costs and reliable processing.”

Felix Köhler, Warehouse Manager at Fenix Outdoor Logistics

SSI CARRIER USED FOR AUTOMATED E-COMMERCE DISTRIBUTION AT DSV

Case Study: High performance rates and efficient handling of peaks with SSI Carrier

To cope with the steady growth in e-commerce, the global 3PL transport and logistics company DSV needed to increase capacity at its existing distribution center in Brampton, Canada. As a general contractor, SSI SCHAEFER implemented a tailormade logistics solution including the innovative pouch sorter SSI Carrier for a highly automated and efficient order fulfillment.

A significant challenge was that the solution had to fit within an existing system and had to be implemented during parallel operation in the warehouse. The overall solution not only allowed DSV to continue its normal fulfillment operations, it also enabled the e-commerce capacity growth that DSV needed to ensure both a smooth online fulfillment as well as meeting peak demands.