Automated Package Processing System [APPS] Update February 23, 2006
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Automated Package Processing System [APPS] Update February 23, 2006. Agenda. System Description Deployment Status Bundle Processing Address Visibility Bundle Integrity APPS Singulator Design. APPS System Description. Dual Induction, 100 Output. Mail Characteristics.
Automated Package Processing System [APPS] Update February 23, 2006
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Presentation Transcript
Automated Package Processing System [APPS] UpdateFebruary 23, 2006
Agenda • System Description • Deployment Status • Bundle Processing • Address Visibility • Bundle Integrity • APPS Singulator Design
APPS System Description Dual Induction, 100 Output
Mail Characteristics APPS System Description Maximum weight = 25 lbs
APPS Deployment Status • Phase I - 74 Machines, 62 sites • First Article Test completed May 2004 • Deployment from Aug 2004 to Aug 2006 – Currently have 55 machines in operation
Bundle Processing Address Visibility Optical Character Recognition (OCR) • Reads both Optional Endorsement Line (OEL) and address block information to sort the mail • Current read rates for OEL bundles is around 80% • Read failures occur due to: • Address block obscured by opaque strapping material • Address block is obscured by opaque shrink wrap
Image Capture Gray Scale Image – 5,807Kb OCR decodes Binary Image Binary Image – 201Kb
APPS Images • Opaque Material • Address Block Location
APPS Image - Polywrap • Poly weld seam through address block • Image captured at semi-auto induct station • Piece was rejected by video coding operator
Address Visibility Rule • DMM Change - Address visible and readable to the naked eye • Where the label WILL be covered • If practical - move the address to one of the four quadrants • Clear smooth strapping (recommend less than 70% haze – ASTM D1003) • Clear shrinkwrap (recommend less than 70% haze – ASTM D1003) Effective – April 30th, 2006
Bundle Processing on APPS Bundle Integrity • Automatic Singulation • Bulk input to single bundle output • Designed for wide variation in frictional characteristics • Destacking produces tumbling
Bundle Processing on APPS Bundle Integrity • Shrinkwrap no longer required on bundles on BMC pallets (Implemented in 2005) • Two straps on all non-shrinkwrapped bundles (Tentative effective date April 30) • Information sharing • Bundle Blitzes • The Perfect Bundle – Recommended quality test for bundles • Electronic Mail Improvement Report (E-MIR)
Bundle Processing on APPS Bundle Integrity – USPS/Mailer Study • Define characteristics of bundles • Design an experiment to measure bundle performance on APPS • Greensboro P&DC test site • Preliminary meeting in early February • March 2006 data collection
Bundle Processing on APPS Bundle Integrity • Singulator Design Study • Engineering task to evaluate destack module • Assess feasibility of reconfiguration to reduce tumbling • Findings in 6 months
Questions? The Perfect Bundle A secure bundle with a fully visible address is a thing of beauty