Glossary · Packaging and intralogistics
Diverter
Also known as: Divert, Pusher
German: Ausschleuser
In intralogistics, a diverter is a conveyor device that moves selected items from the main conveyor onto a branch line, for example with a pusher, swing arm, pop-up wheels or belts.
- Intralogistics
In one sentence
A diverter moves selected items from a main conveyor onto a branch line, using pushers, swing arms, pop-up wheels or belts.
Example
A pop-up wheel diverter sends every box with a failed label scan to the manual check lane.
How it applies
- Engineering: Diverter type depends on item size, weight, spacing and rate. The control must know the position of each item precisely to divert it at the right moment.
- Quality: Reject diverters after checkweighers, metal detectors or vision systems must work reliably; many lines monitor that a rejected item actually reached the reject bin.
- Safety: Pushers and swing arms move quickly and can strike or trap hands. Guarding and restart behavior belong to the risk assessment; see Impact hazard.
- Documentation: Document the diverter's function in the material flow, its sensors, the timing parameters and a functional test procedure for reject diverters. Test records are quality records in regulated industries.
Diverter vs. sorter
A diverter is a single device with one or a few exits. A Sorter is a complete system with many destinations and its own induction and control.