Getting rid of packet machines?

[Swinder]

This maybe one of the typical RM rumours that fly through the mail centres on a daily basis but I thought I would mention/ask about it here just in case.

For the last 2 maybe 3 years we have had a Packet Conveyor Machine which basically conveys the sorted packets in boxes to the relevant roads where they are then sorted into either drop bag fittings or large sleeved yorks. Now today I was informed that MC's will be losing these machines as they have been deemed inefficient when compared to old methods...

Does anyone know anything about this and whether or not it is feasible?

[fishtank]

Luddite!..Heresy!...go throw your clogs somewhere else.
The machine is king..Automation is the future...Royal Mail has spoken.
Next thing you'll be saying that the service was better before the machines came and screwed it all up.

All hail the machines.

[pinstripe]

Now today I was informed that MC's will be losing these machines as they have been deemed inefficient when compared to old methods...

What, do you mean sorting by hand?
They'll be bringing back the trains next.

[blue1873]

GMC has just recently got rid of it,s packet" machine" this was supposedly the future way of sorting packets ? well it did take out 2 duties but with the size of the machine everyone else had to make a detour to get around it (imo) a complete waste of space and time,it was only used for 4 or 5 hours a day but i bet management will tell you it was a great peice of kit

[Swinder]

Well I had it confirmed by management a few hours ago, they insisted it was a national thing as well!

Please don't suggest trains as our MC is directly next door to the station :(

[chunk]

Once in a while the clog throwers are right...

[DGP1]

I wonder where Tman is to give his opinion on this???

[Stampy]

Please don't suggest trains as our MC is directly next door to the station :(

Well, there's a RM Train that goes past our office EVERY Weeknight at about 5 to 10 on the East Coast Main Line!!!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Please don't suggest trains as our MC is directly next door to the station :(

Be afraid http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... ns#p280697" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[baldrick]

We had a packet sorting machine at MC, but that was removed aover 10 years agoIIRC.
Some smaller packets are now sorted on the TOPS 2000. The majority are sorted manually.
Increasingly they are being sorted directly into red-sleeved Yorks, which we are told is the way RM wants to go.

[SpacePhoenix]

Our MC switches from dbfs to using sleeves for outward packets fairly soon, nearly all dbf frames will probably go (so I expect cardboard sleeves will get used at some point as there won't be any alternative). The packets that get put through a TOPS 2000 machine still have to be manually sorted at the inward mail centres as do any letters put through as other machines can't read the barcodes printed by a TOPS 2000 machine. Why didn't they make sure that all the existing machines could read the barcodes?

Anyone know if either the new iLSMs or CSS machines can read the barcodes printed by a TOPS 2000 machine?

[teesdale]

Packet conveyor to go soon at Bristol Mail Centre after causing a few accidents (boxes falling on people) and being considered too slow. Also to go, six acting managers, after causing much harassment and it being discovered that only they were doing well out it and not the business.

[bellysgunnagetu]

Our MC switches from dbfs to using sleeves for outward packets fairly soon, nearly all dbf frames will probably go (so I expect cardboard sleeves will get used at some point as there won't be any alternative). The packets that get put through a TOPS 2000 machine still have to be manually sorted at the inward mail centres as do any letters put through as other machines can't read the barcodes printed by a TOPS 2000 machine. Why didn't they make sure that all the existing machines could read the barcodes?

We have been told to make sure we inform CWU HQ if royal mail plan to introduce Shrouds for outward packets dispatch as its not an agreed process with CWU
If this is your offices plan you need to inform your area rep so he can stop this practice

[Haitch P]

Is this just a case of RM just choosing shyte machinery? The same has been levelled at the Flat sorting machines as well.

I mean in other countries they've been automating flats for years and the USPS are looking into WALK SEQUENCING their flats as well. Whilst good old Royal Mail have only just started W/sequencing ordinary sized letters.

Is there an example of a machine anywhere in the world that can automate the packet sorting process completely and that actually works?

[Swinder]

At the NWMC we drop our packet machine in August so it is as good as gone.

One thing that concerns me is that we are one of these so-called World Class Mail testers and we keep being informed about how our opinion on changes within the mail centre and the business is very important to the survival of the business.
Where is the low level consultation with the people that matter?

Also it would be nice to hear the proposed methods on how other mail centres are going to tackle the lack of the packet machine, I will start with ours;

We use the long old conveyor belts to tip onto and then segregate the work.
Packets are thrown into sleeved yorks (size not mentioned).
Full sleeved yorks moved to a crash with heavy selections on, packets sorted into these selections, if the packets are not for this crash they are thrown into another sleeved york and sent to another crash.

I tried to explain how this idea is completely and utterly stupid because the crashes after the first one are reliant on the staff before them working efficiently and quickly which would be an absolute miracle. Unfortunately the "manager" knows best after being one for just a handful of months.