Related Case Studies
Industry: Returns Processing
Technology: MDR Conveyor, Racking
Inmar
SITUATION
Inmar’s reverse logistics processing center handles returned product for customer companies operating across the Southeast United States. The reverse logistics operation consisted of manual depalletizing operations, gravity feeder lines for operator processing of returns, a central powered conveyor take away line to take totes and cases designated for return to stock, donations, liquidation or destruction, trash conveyor and storage rack. Outbound orders were manually sorted which in turn proved to be a labor intensive process.
SOLUTION
TriFactor designed and installed a conveyor system and sortation transfers that satisfied the variety of value added services required for their customers. To meet these challenges, the system was designed with Zero Pressure 24V Motor Driven Roller conveyor, timing belt transfers and powered MDR spurs for value added processes.
As operators receive returned product, the contents are scanned into their processing system and repacked into cases and totes. They are placed onto a central zero pressure accumulation take-away conveyor and scanned to determine if further value-added processing is required. Cases and totes requiring additional processing are diverted 90 degrees with timing belt transfers.
Upon completion of the additional processing, totes and cases are placed onto a feeder line to resume pack out operations. They are then palletized by condition type and sent back to customer of origin.
RESULT
The project provided Inmar with much improved capability to provide value added services for their customers while increasing the throughput of the returns processing system. Because of the new system, operator travel, lifting requirements and efficiency was significantly improved to provide better customer service to Inmar customers.
TriFactor Provided:
- Design Engineering
- Material Handling Equipment
- Mechanical and Electrical Installation
- Scanning and controls
- Demo and refurbishment of existing equipment
- On-site Project Management
Products Utilized:
- 24V Zero Pressure Accumulation
- 24V Timing Belt Transfers
- Scanner
- Gravity Conveyor
- Remote Panel
