U.S. Postal Service Installs Major Flats Sequencing System

Oct. 19, 2009
Calling it “the world’s largest single material handling project,” Lenze Americas announces that the U.S. Postal Service plans to install a new automated Flats Sequencing System (FSS).

“Flats,” mail pieces larger than letters and thinner than small packages, include oversized envelopes, advertising circulars and periodicals that account for more than 25% of total mail volume.

Lenze Americas says FSS consists of 100 automated sortation systems that, together, sort machinable, flat-sized mail into “delivery walk sequence,” the line of travel letter carriers follow to deliver mail on their routes. The FSS sorts 16,500 pieces per hour, according to the material handling automation company.

Lenze products within the FSS include compact servos and gearmotors, networked together to minimize wiring while maintaining coordination and control.

“Working with the system integrators at MDCI, designers chose our components to optimize the automation in the sorting of flat mail,” explains Steven Smidler, executive vice president of Lenze.