Ferrovane

Automated Sorting Line

HomeCase Study
Automated sorting line with six-axis robot arms
CategoryAutomation
Date12 / 04 / 2026
ClientNorthgate Logistics
LocationKestrel Falls, OH

An Automated Sorting Line For A Live Plant

Northgate ran two shifts through a manual sort that had become the bottleneck of the whole distribution floor. We designed, fabricated and commissioned a six-axis sorting cell around the live operation, and never cost them a shift doing it.

The line reports its own throughput now, so the team manages exceptions on a screen instead of chasing jams down the belt. On startup the numbers matched the drawings, and the payback landed inside the first year.

Warehouse sorting floor Precision machining of line components

Features Of The Project

Every stage carried one accountable owner, from the first walk of the floor to the day we signed the cell off under load and handed over the manuals.

Design The Build

Stamped drawings and a fabrication package before a single part is cut.

Load Testing

Every cell run to takt time under load before we call it done.

Sequenced Install

One schedule across trades, with weekly photo updates on Fridays.

Final Sign-Off

Manuals, warranties and a commissioning report that matches the numbers.

Current line position and demand projectionsFull manufacturing and layout flow sheetGuarding and safety scan on every cellSupplier list for raw material machineryTight cost control on every line itemVision inspection and exception reporting

The result was a line that fits the building, hits takt time, and hands its own data back to the people who run it. That is the standard we build to on every job.