Sorterare

Sorterare is a term used in Swedish and other Scandinavian languages to denote a person who sorts items, and, in industrial contexts, a machine or device that performs sorting. The word derives from the verb sortera, meaning to sort.

Manual sorters are workers who separate goods by criteria such as size, color, destination, or quality. They are common in warehouses, post offices, recycling facilities, and manufacturing plants where items must be routed to correct streams. The work often requires attention to detail, physical handling, and safety procedures.

Automatic sorters are machines that automatically direct items along conveyors to appropriate chutes or bins. They use sensors, scanners, and actuators to identify items by barcode, RFID, optical features, weight, or other attributes. These systems are integrated with warehouse management systems and manufacturing control platforms to optimize throughput and traceability. Sorting criteria can include destination, size, weight, type, or quality.

Applications of sorter systems include mail and parcel sorting, material recycling (glass, metal, plastics, paper), food and packaging lines, and logistics centers. In postal networks,Sorter systems significantly increase throughput and accuracy, while manual sorters handle exceptions and complex decisions that require human judgment.

History and development: Sorting tasks have existed for centuries, but mechanical and later automated sorters emerged with industrialization and the expansion of mass handling. Modern high-throughput sorters rely on advanced sensors, robotics, and data-driven control to route items efficiently.

See also: Sorting, Sorting algorithm, Warehouse management system.