Equinox MHE automates e-commerce process of online pharmacy Farmaline

Online pharmacy Farmaline has recently awarded Dutch system integrator Equinox MHE with the contract for an automated sorting installation. Automating the e-commerce process for nonprescription drugs will greatly increase the capacity at Farmaline’s distribution center in Tongeren (Belgium) and reduce the risk of logistical errors.

At the end of July Farmaline will have a Slide Tray Sorter Compact at its disposal with two induction positions, 37 exits and a capacity of 4,000 trays per hour.

An important feature of the sorting installation is its capability to sort very small items. Because the trays are tilted, products slide to the bottom of the trays. The trays are prepared with a strip with bar codes. A scanning device detetcts whether the tray holds a product or not by scanning if all bar codes can be read.

Operators manually scan products before they induct them in the trays, allowing the system to record the product in each tray. Items are accumulated in a chute per order and a red LED light indicates the order is complete. An operator takes the products out of the chute, puts them in a carton and then places the carton on a conveyor belt to transport it to the packing tables. The exit is prepared for the next order by pushing the LED light off.

The Slide Tray Sorter Compact also sorts the packing slips. At the packing tables, an operator scans the packing slip and automatically an address label with postal service provider code is printed. Once the cartons are packed and labeled, they are palletized and ready for shipment.

An interface connects the Slide Tray Sorter Compact’s software & controls to Farmaline’s WMS.