TGW Natrix sorter: powerful, energy-efficient, flexible
(Marchtrenk, 13 April 2022) TGW Logistics Group has developed a powerful, energy-efficient sorter solution suitable for a wide variety of uses and industries. The Natrix shoe sorter represents the central building block of the solution and offers three capacity levels; the modular design can be adapted to any fulfillment center’s needs.
The Natrix shoe sorter family with its sliding elements (shoes) is an important building block in TGW's conveyor and sorter solutions and is employed in hundreds of their customers' facilities around the world. TGW experts recently channeled their 25 years of experience into the design of a new Natrix model with parallel slide technology, based on the central requirement that the high-performance system be energy-efficient and offer the highest amount of flexibility possible.
The design of a sorter is based on four elements: output, length, discharge angle, and load. TGW has a variety of Natrix models, including 22-degree or 30-degree outfeed transfer and parallel or conventional slide technology. Each of the Natrix models can be divided into three different load carrying levels:
In order to achieve necessary throughput rates and enable fast delivery, transportation of the load carriers is precise and performance is automatically adjusted according to the throughput data. Intelligent algorithms provide the basis for the control system and automatically intervene before malfunctions can occur. On top of that, the subsystems used are highly integrated. Together, the smart control system and high-quality requirements for the hardware and software minimize outfeed errors.
Another focal point of the design was flexibility—being able to change as your business changes. An example of Natrix’s flexibility is its ability to handle multiple kinds of packaging and load carriers: cartons, totes, trays, poly bags, and paper bags are all options. The dimensions and maximum weight of load carriers can also vary.
The Natrix sorter works well for all of TGW's core industries: fashion, grocery, and industrial & consumer goods, and it can be used in wholesale, retail, e-commerce, or omni-channel distribution models.
An intelligent algorithm regulates the speed of the Natrix sorter and is how it is able to be extremely energy efficient. When demand is low, the system slows down and consumes less energy. The control system only turns up to full capacity when necessary. Also contributing to its “greenness”, the Natrix is comprised of energy-saving components. This is not only a benefit to the environment, but the components’ high-quality also reduces maintenance costs and extends intervals, contributing to a lower Total Cost of Ownership.
