Vertical Sorter

The Pteris Global Vertical Sorter is a stand-alone sorting unit that transfers baggage or parcels from a single input conveyor to one of two vertically stacked output conveyors. Unlike belt-level diverters that operate in a horizontal plane, the vertical sorter changes the elevation of the bag's destination, making it the key component wherever a BHS routes traffic between floor levels — for example, channelling clear bags onto a high-speed main transport circuit while deflecting alarm bags onto a Level 2 or Level 3 re-screen spur one level below.

The unit is built around a one-piece main frame that integrates all three conveyor assemblies — the inbound belt, the upper-level output, and the lower-level output — along with their respective mechanisms and drive units. This monolithic construction prevents frame distortion under the continuous cyclic loads of heavy-duty operation. A modular design concept means the sorter can be installed and removed as a self-contained assembly. The control software supports both two-way sortation and a merge (confluence) function, so the same hardware can be configured as a vertical merge point when system routing is reversed.

A manual positioning option is available for maintenance or override scenarios. The unit operates quietly, without vibration or bag displacement, preserving bag orientation through the sort event — relevant when downstream systems depend on predictable bag attitude. At Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Pteris Global integrated nine vertical sortation units within a single BHS. In GCC airports with multi-level concourse structures, the vertical sorter is a compact, reliable alternative to inclined transport conveyors where horizontal space is constrained.