Hermes

Even “Uglies” Get Looked After At Hermes With A Carousel Conveyor Belt System

Setting The Scene


Hermes had a requirement for a carousel conveyor belt system that could handle bulky items and deal with increased throughput at its hub in Rugby. Thanks to the existing relationship between the two, Hermes was sure L-A-C Logistics Automation were the right people to get the task done.

Why was a carousel conveyor belt needed?

With a continuing rise of parcel throughput, Hermes needed assistance in determining how it could increase the number of parcels being moved at its Rugby hub and charge its customers correctly for the “uglies” the industry term for parcels that have an irregular weight and/or dimensions. A solution was devised by replacing the existing system which used several manual lines with a semi-automated modular belt carousel.  

 

Yodel reckons “uglies” account for about five per cent of the market value. With this ever-increasing volume of awkward parcels, it is becoming a priority for delivery companies to accurately scan and weigh these items in order to correctly bill their customers and to ensure that valuable revenue is not lost. 

 

After discussing the varied range of parcel types that arrive at the depot, L-A-C devised a carousel conveyor belt that could handle most items from the very small to the very big, whether it be a curtain pole, ironing board or a set of golf clubs. The conveyor was comprised of the following:

LAC Hermes Conveyor

HERMES REQUIREMENT:

Contact
Heavy-duty acetal plastic modular belt
Tight 180degree radius turns with an inner radius of 1000mm
52-meter length conveyor
1.2m wide modular belt
75kg rated weight load
2” pitch modular belt
Transfer plates
8 motors
300mm high side guides on the inside face
Armco warehouse barriers

CONVEYOR BELT SOLUTION

With a 5mm thick steel bed and a 75kg rated modular belt, the conveyor can easily handle 100kg per metre should an item that big happen to pass its way. The acetal belt is impact resistant and able to withstand heavy loads that might be dropped onto it.

 

Being of modular construction, should there ever be substantial damage the belt can be very quickly replaced. The conveyor has a run length of 52m and is more than capable of handling bulky items up to 2m in length and with a 1.2m width, there is also plenty of room to help ensure that the parcels don’t drop off the side of the carousel.

The carousel also has the capacity to handle even small items, as transfer plates between the conveyor run lengths have been incorporated into the design.

 

Armco barriers were installed along both the runs and the curves to help protect any potential damage from forklift trucks and hand pallet trucks operating in the area.

LAC Hermes conveyor system

How the Conveyor Belt System Helped:

Contact
High-speed carousel conveying system
Replaced a number of manual lines
Capable of processing up to 4,000 items per hour
Can handle bulky items up to 2m in length and 75kg in weight
Streamline the movement of bulky items
Productivity increased by over 30 per cent
Carousel incorporated into an auto-scanning and profiling system.

L-A-C were able to install the new system over a two week period whilst working around the customer’s existing operational requirements. Once installed and tested the new system went seamlessly straight to work. 

BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY TODAY

L-A-C’s team of experts are here to support you from concept to the finished system, working together to design and deliver a bespoke solution that meets your current objectives and future growth expectations, with favourable ROI. 

 

Across semi-automated and fully automated systems, L-A-C has the expertise and range of products to provide flexible and scalable solutions that will significantly enhance your operations and keep you agile as your business evolves. 

 

Join us on a pivotal journey towards a more efficient, productive, cost effective and sustainable future with L-A-C’s innovative automation technology solutions.


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Unit 3, Charles Park Cinderhill Road, Bulwell, Nottingham NG6 8RE

0115 975 3300

Sales enquiries: sales@lacgroup.co.uk

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