High speed diverter

A method for handling articles transported on a conveying surface comprising:

• providing a diverter assembly having at least one diverter arm positioned adjacent to a side of the conveying surface;
• determining whether the diverter arm is in a first position;
• operating a motor of the diverter assembly at a plurality of speeds;
• moving the diverter arm from the first position to a second position at a first speed;
• monitoring the position of the diverter arm, wherein when the diverter arm reaches a pre-determined position, operating the motor at a second speed, wherein monitoring the position of the diverter arm further includes operating the motor at a third speed when the diverter arm reaches a second predetermined position.

A diverter assembly for handling articles transported on a conveying surface comprising:

• at least one diverter arm positioned adjacent to a side of the conveying surface;
• a motor coupled to a drive arrangement for moving the diverter arm from an initial position to a second position over the conveying surface;
• and
• a controller unit coupled to the motor for operating the motor at a speed profile, wherein the controller unit is adapted to
• operate the motor at an initial speed, when the diverter arm moves from the initial position to a pre-determined position, and
• operate the motor at a second speed slower than the initial speed, when the diverter arm moves from the pre-determined position to the second position.