Narrow Belt Sorters

Narrow belt sorters – also sometimes called NBS, very narrow belt sorters or strip belt sorters – are designed with multiple narrow belts that transport items. When an item approaches its designated divert, high friction divert wheels pop up between the belts to accurately propel product down the divert lane. Diverts can be configured on either side of the sorter, at either 90- or 30-degree angles to best suit the facility layout.

90-degree Configuration

When the pop-up rollers are positioned at a 90-degree angle to the main belts, the product is moved off the sorter at a right angle causing a change in the product orientation. This configuration operates at speeds up to 90 cartons per minute.

30-degree Configuration

Narrow belt sorters with 30 degree divert angles can operate at speeds up to 100 cartons per minute based on product size. This configuration does not alter product orientation.

Because the narrow belt sorter can be configured with 90 degree diverts, lanes can be placed close together to minimize the footprint and save space. The narrow belt sorter also possesses the advantage of exerting smaller amounts of “pushing” forces on the product, reducing jostling or jerking of products.

• High throughput
• Quiet compared to other sorters and conveyor types
• Simple configuration and flexibility for reconfiguration
• Well-suited for a variety of industries, including consumer goods, electronics, pharmaceutical, and more

Narrow belt sorters offer accurate, high-throughput sortation of up to 100 cartons per minute. They are typically used to transfer medium-sized and mid-weight packages and products, including:

• Totes or bins
• Cartons
• Boxes
• Polybags

Bastian Solutions’ experts will work with you to ensure the best equipment is selected to fit your needs. While narrow belt sorters can be easily reconfigured as your facility’s needs evolve, they are not as flexible with the type of containers they handle. Medium-sized and mid-weight products are ideal, but other sorters should be explored for handling items that are especially small, big, heavy, or light. Consider the following details when exploring narrow belt sortation solutions:

• Type, size and weight of items being sorted
• Product handling needs
• Desired throughput rate
• Number and type of diverts
• Facility layout