Automatic Sorters - Why choose FE Technologies?
All automatic sorters perform the same function – they receive and sort books. So what makes the FE Technologies Automatic Book Sorter suite of products exceptional?
 The FE Technologies suite of Automatic Sorters is simply the best on the market, and the ideal choice for libraries that require a self-sufficient sorter that is truly automatic, requiring no staff intervention.
Several key features contribute to our success and make our product stand out from that of our competitors, including:
- Roller and Belt item transport
- Patented Sluice Chamber
- A real reduction in staff handling activities and associated RSI
Who benefits from Automatic Sorters?
Libraries and patrons benefit from largely positive results resulting from the installation of an Automatic Sorting System, especially in terms of returns efficiency:
|
Libraries
|
Patrons
|
|
A significant reduction in back office item handling
|
Patrons can return items 24/7 and be able to borrow again immediately
|
|
As a result of the above, a large reduction in the incidence of RSI
|
Patrons get a receipt of returned items, giving them piece of mind and security
|
|
Accuracy in sorting – items are sorted with a very high level of accuracy
|
Returns are accurate giving patrons piece of mind knowing their returns are being sorted correctly and removed from their borrowing record accordingly
|
|
No intervention is required – the system operates completely unattended
|
Patrons must return one item at a time
|
Why is the unique belt and roller design of the FE Technologies Automatic Sorters so important to the effectiveness of the Sorter?
The FE Technologies Automatic Sorters use an innovative belt and roller design to move items from left to right and forward and backwards, enabling sorting to an almost infinite number of locations. This design has several benefits over our competitors’ arm-style sorting technique that utilizes a paddle or arm to sweep items to sorting bins.
|
Arm
|
Belt and Roller
|
|
Applies a sideways force on items, that may be damaging to fragile items, such as books with a flexible old-fashioned bound spine
|
Gentle on all items – items are moved smoothly and gently without impact along the belts and rollers
|
|
Haphazardly fills bins – items are dumped into each bin and may accumulate all items on one side of the bin only, for example
|
Fills bins equally using a unique staggered bin filling algorithm – items are dropped to the left, centre and then right of the bin to ensure an even load and maximum capacity
|
|
Jams with magazines and children’s readers – thin items may jam as a result of the sweeping motion of the arm
|
Even the thinnest and flimsiest items are gently carried to their bins on the belts and rollers
|
|
Thin items must be sent to the “other” or end bin as they cannot effectively be sorted by the arm, and must then be re-sorted manually by library staff
|
All items, even thin and fragile ones, are sorted to their correct destination without requiring any intervention from staff
|
|
Library intervention required – notorious for jams, this style of sorter must be constantly monitored by staff for jams and breakdowns
|
No library intervention required – completely standalone, safe, and a genuinely automatic Sorter
|
Why is FE Technologies’ Sluice Chamber so important, compared with a “Deshingler”?
Some sorters on the market use a “deshingler” to separate items that are returned together and are sitting on top of each other. It slides items apart using a slide on an angle, requiring a large amount of space and the possibility that sticky or wet items will be damaged in the process or mis-sorted.
The FE Technologies Automatic Sorter uses a sluice chamber that completely separates the returned item from the sorting mechanism while it is read, and only releases it for sorting once it has been positively identified, effectively stopping the return of foreign objects.
|
Deshingler
|
Sluice Chamber
|
|
Librarian intervention is required – items frequently stick together, particularly plastic covered items, wet items and sticky items, causing jams that require solving.
|
No librarian intervention is required – the sluice chamber allows items to be read within the chamber before releasing them for sorting. If an item is not recognised it is returned back out to the patron.
|
|
Cannot produce receipts – patrons are not issued with a receipt, as the item is not read and sorted until later in the process
|
Once the item has been accepted from the sluice chamber into the sorting unit, the patron is issued with a receipt immediately – confirming the item or items that have been returned.
|
|
No set management – the deshingler design cannot cope with sets and these must be sent to an exceptions bin for manual re-sorting by staff.
|
Items that form part of a set must be returned in total. If a set that is missing a piece is returned the patron will be notified and the library can chose an action – return all items back to the patron or notify the patron of the missing piece and provide receipt information on this.
|
|
Requires re-sorting of multiple items – when the deshingler fails to separate multiple items that have stuck together, these must be sent to the exceptions bin for manual re-sorting by staff.
|
Patrons are instructed via the touch screen, to return one item at a time. If a patron returns more than one item, all items are returned back to the patron and will not be accepted into the sorting area.
|
|
Foreign objects may be inserted with potentially disastrous results, such as internal fire or water damage, or the introduction of waste or vermin.
|
The sluice chamber is a secure segment of the Sorter that will reject any items that have not been successfully read and identified as a legitimate library item.
|
|
