Vanderlande Industries supplies two new sorting centres to Australia Post

Australia Post has upgraded its Melbourne and Sydney parcel facilities -more than doubling its parcel processing capacity at those facilities - as part of a $2 billion investment to transform its operations. This fully automated sorting solution was designed and installed for both locations by Vanderlande Industries.

Largest sorting terminal in the southern hemisphere

"Now that these systems are up and running, they are by far the largest and most efficient sorting terminals in the southern hemisphere," says Roald de Groot, Vanderlande's Area Manager AsiaPacific. "Both solutions consist of several crossbelt sorters, which sort directly: into containers; on to extendibles for loose loading trucks; or into chutes for those items that need to be handled delicately. Another part of the solution is a fully automated material handling system for the containers."

Vanderlande's crossbelt sorter is at the heart of the solution

The CROSSORTER provides a highly flexible solution to handle a wide range of products. From very small packages, such as 2mm-thick mailers and shrink-wrapped products, through to bulky items, including odd-shaped packages and totes. The high speed and lateral product orientation result in a high capacity. The sophisticated control mechanism balances the flows over the different inducts and outputs, minimising recirculation and further increasing the operational capacity.

80% more energy efficient than conventional crossbelt sorters

High availability is essential to allow the required productivity levels to be achieved consistently. By using robust, durable components and technology together with built-in diagnostics, the CROSSORTER delivers over 99.9% availability. If intervention is needed, the system's key components are extremely easy to change within five minutes. "The Vanderlande CROSSORTER is also 80% more efficient than other conventional sorters of this type," adds De Groot.

Environmentally friendly materials

"Our innovation strategy is modelled around the concept of the circular economy, which is known as the Cradle to Cradle® design. Under the Cradle to Cradle® principles, we assess our materials, not only for their tangible properties, but also for their effect on humans, the environment and their capacity for being recycled. With regard to the CROSSORTER, the following results have been achieved: 99% of all materials used are easy to dismantle and recycle; and 90% of the materials used are environmentally friendly."

"Vanderlande Industries has come up with a solution that has more than met our requirements," says Gary Stubbs, Australia Post's Future Parcels Network Program Director. "They showed great creativity in designing a fully automated solution. In addition, their partnership approach and collaborative attitude made this project a great success."