Sorting Robot Glossary: Chutes, Induction, Feeding and Scanning Explained

In One Line

To understand sorting specs, start with a few core terms. Below is a glossary of common Tegene 3D Series sorting terms to quickly map against product specs.

Core Terms

The most-used concepts in warehouse sorting:

• Chute: the sorting destination a parcel drops into by flow; more chutes cover more flows (3D Series 48-2000, customizable).
• Induction station: the position that places parcels onto the sorting line, manual or automatic.
• Feeding/induction: the way parcels are fed onto the line, manual or automatic.
• Top/table/multi-face scanning: scanning at different positions for stable barcode reads.
• NC (non-conveyable) item: an irregular parcel hard to sort on ordinary conveyors.
• Expansion Module: a universal add-on that retrofits chute capacity, raising chutes 4-5x.

How to Map Against Specs

When reading specs, use these terms to gauge fit: throughput (pcs/h) for capacity, chute count for flow coverage, induction count for automation level, and scanning method for recognition stability. Combined with your parcel types and flows, this helps identify which 3D Series model fits.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions related to this article:

• What does "chute" mean in sorting? A chute is the sorting destination a parcel drops into by flow; more chutes cover more flows. The Tegene 3D Series offers 48-2000 customizable chutes.
• What is the difference between "feeding" and "induction station"? An induction station is the position that places parcels onto the sorting line; feeding is the action/way parcels are fed onto it. Both can be manual or automatic, affecting the line’s automation level and labor needs.