01The sorting range
Five sorting machines and one combined line make up the parcel sorting range in the current Goodscan line-up.
Parcel sorters in the Goodscan range
| Machine | Diverting principle | Parcel fit |
|---|---|---|
| Linear cross-belt sorter | Belted carriers discharge sideways | Mixed, fragile, soft and irregular parcels; many destinations |
| Loop cross-belt sorter | Belted carriers circulate on an oval | High destination counts in compact halls |
| Wheel sorter (inclined wheel / swing wheel) | Rows of wheels swivel to steer parcels off the line | Regular cartons and totes on conveyor lines |
| Narrow belt sorter | Groups of narrow belts run or stop to divert | Small parcels and mailers |
| Z-type sorter | Belt sorting section with integrated dimensioning, weighing and scanning | Compact measure-and-sort stations |
| Dynamic DWS + wheel sorter combination | DWS measures and identifies, wheel section diverts | Operations adding sorting to a measuring line |
02How to choose
Three questions decide the sorter. First, the parcels: soft, fragile or irregular items point to cross-belt; regular rigid cartons can be diverted by wheels at lower cost; small items and mailers fit narrow belts. Second, the destinations: a handful of splits needs only a diverting section, while dozens of destinations justify a cross-belt frame with dense chutes. Third, the data: if parcels must be measured and billed as they are sorted, the sorter is specified together with the DWS section in front of it, as one line.
Throughput follows from these choices rather than leading them — a sorter that damages or mis-sorts fragile parcels is slow at any rated speed. Send the parcel mix first; the sortation system page shows how the pieces combine, and the cross-belt vs wheel comparison on the blog works through a typical hub decision.
03Sorting is a line, not a machine
Every sorter in the range is delivered as part of a working flow: singulation in front so parcels arrive spaced and single file, identification (and usually dimensioning) so each parcel carries its destination, the sorter itself, and the chutes, conveyors and loading equipment behind it. Goodscan designs that whole flow, which is why the same company that builds the DWS machines also builds the sorters — the hand-off between measuring and sorting is where un-integrated lines lose parcels and data.