Smalls Collapser Tool
A tool for hub planners to quickly and accurately check where to collapse Small destinations.
Context
When there is an SLS that breaks down, the destinations built on that SLS must be “collapsed” into another destination where the packages can still make it to their destination on time. Given a few hours, the Hub IE Planner can thoroughly research these destinations and validate that no service errors will occur. However, if an SLS breaks down in the middle of a sort, the planner has to collapse these destinations as quickly as possible. If not, the Smalls Sort area of the operation will not be able to process those packages.
Action
This VBA-based tool takes the data from the Smalls Browser tool, which gives the hub load (major city destination) that the destination (typically a smaller city) can flow into without being late. The data has to be reformatted, which is where “Text to Column” button comes in. The tool also asks for the day of week, as flows can change on a daily basis. From here, the hub planner can enter in destinations to see where those packages can be relocated and still be delivered in time. In addition, due to the system switching between an alphabetical abbreviation and numeric abbreviation (and vice versa), the translation automatically populates as soon as the user enters in a destination. This reduces the amount of errors that a hub planner can make when switching between the two abbreviations.
Result
Collapsing Small destinations has become a much more efficient and more swift process. Given how quickly a belt can break down, the tool is very useful for ad-hoc moves with a time crunch. In addition, the tool is used to collapse destinations without a time crunch, given operational changes on special sorts (ex: running 1 SLS instead of 5 on Christmas Eve).
General UPS Context
Packages are processed through the facility in one of three main processes, based on the type of package: Cube, Small, and Incompatible.
| Package Type | Specifications | Process |
|---|---|---|
| Cube | - Larger than 16” x 16” x 7” (shoebox) but smaller than 5’ - Weight is below 70 lbs - Conveyable on automated belts without causing issues (e.g. jams) - Can be handled by a person with normal strength under normal conditions |
- Cube packages get processed using the automated belt system. - Each package is scanned through a camera tunnel and sorted based on the label to the correct outbound trailer. |
| Small | - Smaller than 16” x 16” x 7” (shoebox) - Weight is below 10 lbs - Small, thin envelopes |
- Because of its size, Small packages get processed at first through the automated belt system (in a tote or bag), then through the Smalls automated belt system, where the packages will be removed from any container then sorted into a bag. - The bag is then put into an outbound trailer in the automated belt system again. - The S.M.A.R.T. facility has five single-line sorters (SLS) to process Small packages. One SLS contains up to 110 bins, which means our sort can create bags for up to 550 unique destinations (which are typically specific cities across the U.S.). |
| Incompatible | - Larger than 5’ - Weight is over 70 lbs - Includes shapes incompatible with the belt system, such as tires, cylindrical packages, and flat envelopes |
- Incompatibles are named as such due to the incompatibility with the automated belt system that processes Cube packages (due to size, shape, weight). - These packages are taken to an Incompatible Depot, where employees scan and sort these packages onto carts. - These carts are then put onto trains for an Autonomous Guided Vehicle (AGV) to take to the correct part of the building. - Then, these carts are unloaded onto a belt, where an employee scans each package into the correct outbound trailer. |