Automated Package Processing System APPS Update February 23, 2006

1
Automated Package Processing System APPS
UpdateFebruary 23, 2006
2
Agenda

• System Description
• Deployment Status
• Bundle Processing
• Address Visibility
• Bundle Integrity
• APPS Singulator Design

3
APPS System Description
Dual Induction, 100 Output
4
Mail Characteristics
APPS System Description
Maximum weight 25 lbs
5
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

6
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

7
Image Capture
Gray Scale Image 5,807Kb
OCR decodes Binary Image
Binary Image 201Kb
8
APPS Images

• Opaque Material
• Address Block Location

9
Clear Strapping
10
APPS Image - Polywrap

• Poly weld seam through address block
• Image captured at semi-auto induct station
• Piece was rejected by video coding operator

11
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
12
Bundle Processing on APPS
Bundle Integrity

• Automatic Singulation
• Bulk input to single bundle output
• Designed for wide variation in frictional
  characteristics
• Destacking produces tumbling

13
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)

14
Bundle Processing on APPS
Bundle Integrity USPS/Mailer Study

• Define characteristics of bundles
• Design an experiment to measure bundle
  performance on APPS
• Greensboro PDC test site
• Preliminary meeting in early February
• March 2006 data collection

15
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

16
Questions?
The Perfect Bundle
A secure bundle with a fully visible address is a
thing of beauty