Bin Picking: The Latest Trend in Case Sealers and Automated Packaging

Companies are always looking for ways to increase overall productivity while lowering production costs. Reportlinker.com introduced a new market research report discussing how “Bin Picking” can potentially offer great efficiency in the production, material handling, and packaging industries. For as low as $1500, those in the packaging industry can acquire a digital copy of the intensive and in-depth report on automated bin picking systems, while $2250 grants you a department license. Published this June, the market report on bin picking provides an executive summary on technologies used, supplier and market overviews, and turnkey concepts, to name a few.

Titled “Industrial Automation – Market Report Bin Picking”, the report discusses what bin picking really is and how it can greatly affect automated packaging with case sealers and carton sealing machines. Bin picking reduces manual repetitive work while increasing productivity. The process of bin picking has recently garnered interest due to the difficult market situations of today’s economy. The financial crisis has prompted packaging industries to search for other means to open up efficiency and cost reduction with automated processes of sealing boxes with case sealers.

Bin picking, which, simply put, is the automated unloading of unsorted parts from transport boxes to a bin or pallet, is now being applied to the aerospace, automotive, food & packaging, logistics, and pharmaceutical industries because of the great potential it offers. A comprehensive market report is now available, presenting an extensive survey of how bin picking is used on automated packaging systems through case sealers and carton sealing machines.

Providing in-depth reviews into customer requirements, technologies, products, and turnkey solutions, the market report on “Bin Picking” additionally provides information about turnkey suppliers, system integrators, product and component manufacturers from outside Europe and North America. Data sources come from direct interviews conducted with the companies. Additional research has also been generated on the internet, trade shows, presentations, publications, and conferences.

Getting to know more about adjustable manual case sealers

Adjustable manual case sealers are BestPack.com’s most popular items, and for good reason. Whether you need to seal a 0.5” high carton or a 50” high carton, there is an adjustable manual case sealer to help do that for you efficiently. This type of case sealer requires an operator to feed and fold the flaps of the carton before putting it into the machine. Having your own adjustable manual case sealer makes your production line more efficient, and your business more productive.

There are many types of adjustable manual case sealers—different machines for different purposes. Here are some:

1. Manual Sidedrive Series. This is the most popular case sealer in BestPack’s catalogue. The Sidedrive MS has been proven to be most efficient in sealing uniform carton applications.

2. MT Series Sealers. This is the first case sealer designed by BestPack. It is best known for its economical price tag and rugged dependability. Additionally, it has the only model that can seal a 0.5” high carton.

3. Bottomdrive MB. The bottom belt drive system on this case sealer makes it ideal for light to medium seal application.

4. Quaddrive MQ. For heavy duty sealing action, this is the recommended case sealer. It is designed to meet light to heavyweight carton closure applications. It uniquely utilized four belt drives for more precision and stability.

5. Side-sealing MTSS. For cartons that need to be filled and sealed on the side, this case sealer is the machine to use.

6. One edge sealers. This unique one edge case sealer is one of its kind. It is best used for clam shell boxes.

7. Packing/bottom flap folding stations. This machine is the predecessor of one of BestPack’s flagship case sealers. It provides the operator with the added convenience of folding the carton flaps and holding a carton in place while the operator is working on filling the box.

Get to know more about case sealers when you log on to BestPack.com.

Case Sealers, Plastic Boxes, and the Art of Reusing Packaging Materials

Case sealers are machines that automatically or manually pack cardboard or corrugated boxes. Because of the big reduction in production costs they offer, case sealers can be used to reuse old packaging materials such as cardboard boxes and/or plastic boxes.

Sustainability works with reusing packaged designs such as corrugated boxes. Consumers are becoming aware of and trending toward environment-friendly products, and packaging equipment such as case sealers are no different. What the green market wants are eco-friendly products that can be recycled or reused for ten or more times.

What consumers are interested in are products that can be used multiple times to save not only money, but the environment as well. A box made of plastic is something consumers can appreciate. Corrugated boards, the latest in a string of eco-friendly packaging products, has components similar to those of plastic boxes. Manufactured from layers of fluted material placed in between sheets of plastic, plastic boxes basically offer the same features of corrugated boxes. By adjusting the fluting and liner sheets to be thicker or thinner, plastic boxes can be made lighter or heavier duty. Plastic boxes are also capable of being cut into almost any design or size, including RSC or a die cut reclosable mailer.

Corrugated boxes and plastic boxes should not be used to compete against one another, as they are useful for different reasons. Plastic boxes are used for closed loop or round trip situations where the box and its higher initial cost can be recovered. Plastic boxes are more expensive, but the cost can be justified so long as they can be reused multiple times. Plastic boxes are durable and washable, and made of plastic resin from oil or natural gas.

Packaging corrugated boxes and plastic boxes can be managed easily through machines such as case sealers, which help save time and production costs with their durability and efficiency. BestPack offers case sealers that are automatic and manual, based on your company’s needs and requirements.

Case Sealer Spotlight: Automatic Case Sealers

Combined with the right carton sealing tape, case sealers are the perfect piece of equipment to buy when companies need to optimize operational efficiency and reduce operational costs. Although packaging equipment manufacturers offer custom-made packaging solutions, they generally make machines that have a certain set of features and options.

Automatic case sealers are the most automated case sealing machines available on the market. The main advantage of having an automatic case sealer is that you don’t have to hire an operator to manually feed boxes into the machine or to fold flaps. Most automatic case sealers include automatic flap folders and indexers are an optional add-on to space boxes into the machine. Automatic case sealers are perfect in industries where one size box is used for most items.

Similar to the manual case sealers, automatic case sealers also come in random and fully automatic settings. Random fully automatic case sealers will automatically feed boxes, detect height and width, fold flaps and seal the top. Automatic case sealers come in a variety of models: auto top/bottom, auto sidedrive, auto quad-drive, auto edge, auto one edge and fruit box.

While all of these automatic case sealers eliminate the need for an operator, most of the machines come with different features and functions. Quad-drive case sealers allow for top drive and side drive heavy-duty applications, while auto edge case sealers are capable of uniform four edge case sealing, which is useful when pilfer proofing and protection from the outside environment is necessary. With these fantastic features, what else could companies ask for?

Keep in mind that boxes come in different sizes, which is why it is essential to have the appropriate case sealer for your particular business. Contact your local packaging equipment provider, or give BestPack.com a call, to get the information you need to purchase the right case sealer.

Case Sealer Spotlight: Manual Case Sealers

Case sealers come in a variety of forms, but this particular blog will focus on manual case sealers. Anyone who works in the packaging industry knows that case sealers are reliable, cost-effective and durable. These efficient machines help companies save money and time, and when it comes to packaging, case sealers are the final step in creating a professional looking seal for every product.

Manual case sealers are the least automated solution when it comes to case sealers. With manual case sealers, boxes are manually fed by hired operators. Operators also have to manually adjust the height and width of the machine for each box size. Additionally, operators must feed boxes in the machine and fold the flaps closed. Manual case sealers are most useful for applications where one size box is sealed for any given sealing shift.

For some manual case sealers, such as random case sealers, the machine automatically detects the height and width of each box with automatic sensors, and then it adjusts accordingly. Random case sealers are the perfect solution for businesses that use different-sized boxes for a large majority of items that need to be sealed. Adjustable manual case sealers, on the other hand, are the ideal machine for sealing uniformly sized carton boxes.

When you select the appropriate case sealer for your business and company, you will decrease production costs in no time. Case sealers don’t need very much maintenance, so checking the case sealer at each shift or at the end of the day is enough to maintain its maximum performance and efficiency. These helpful machines are utilized by the food, medical and pharmaceutical industries because each piece of equipment helps increase efficiency in the production line by saving time and mitigating mistakes. With an increase in productivity, companies can earn more without spending much money. A professional-looking seal that complements a productive packaging system is the perfect way to distribute goods and products to consumers.

Case Sealers vs. Carton Sealers: What’s the Difference?

Carton sealers are known by many names, including: box taper, box sealer, case taper and case sealer. Although many packaging equipment manufacturers use carton sealers, case sealers are still just as popular. With the same function and specialization, case sealers are made for businesses that need to package at least 150 boxes per day. Case sealers lighten up the load by reducing labor costs while at the same time providing immediate return on investment.

Case sealers are available in uniform and random, including: uniform semi-automatic case sealers, uniform automatic case sealers and random case sealers. Semi-automatic case sealers are operator-fed, adjustable carton sealing machines that cater to light and heavy duty uniform case closure applications. BestPack’s MBD series of case sealers has four adjustable legs for quick height adjustments for production lines. Uniform automatic case sealers, on the other hand, allows omission of either or both top and bottom closures. Also, most uniform case sealers offer L-clip capabilities and cartridges.

Random case sealers are operator fed and automatically adjust to the size of the incoming box. These types of case sealers are perfect for applications that use a variety of different size boxes. Random case sealers are also available in both semi-automatic which needs an operator, and automatic which is operator free. Case sealers provide low cost automation to clients needing automated case sealers within a budgeted price.

Do not be confused with the names and terms used by the packaging industry. As long as the packaging equipment serves its purpose – that is, to provide professional-looking and secured packages – then there shouldn’t be a problem with the name given. Contact your local packaging equipment manufacturer to inquire about their services. Keep in mind, some manufacturers throw in free installation and training services while others offer huge discounts on packaging equipment such as carton sealers and carton sealing tapes.

Choosing the Right Carton Sealer or Packaging Equipment

There are many factors to consider when purchasing packaging equipment, the most important being the client’s budget. Additionally, other important aspects to consider include the following…

Technical capabilities
Labor requirements
Worker safety
Maintainability, serviceability, reliability, flexibility (change-over, materials, etc.)
Ability to integrate into the packaging line, capital cost
Floor space
Energy usage
Quality of outgoing packages
Efficiency, productivity
Ergonomics
Return on investment
Keeping these in mind, here is a list of the most common packaging equipment purchased by businesses:

Vacuum Packaging Machines

Bottle Caps Equipment - Over-Capping, Lidding, Closing, Seaming and Sealing Machines; bottle caps are closures used to seal the openings of various bottle types. With the help of bottle cap equipment, bottles are sealed professionally and consistently.

Box, Case and Tray Forming, Packing, Unpacking, Closing and Sealing Machines

Carton Sealing Machines – Carton sealing machines offer a great way of saving on packaging costs while increasing productivity. With carton sealers, boxes are formed through erecting, closing, folding, side seaming or sealing.

Cleaning, Sterilizing, Cooling and Drying Machines

Converting Machines

Conveyor Belts – This piece of packaging equipment consists of two or more pulleys with a rotating belt. Conveyor belts come in different engineering designs such as screw conveyors, vibrating conveyors, pneumatic conveyors, and roller conveyors.

Feeding, Orienting, Placing and Related Machines

Palletizing, Depalletizing, Unit Load Assembly – A pallet is a flat structure that can be transported and supports goods while being carried by a forklift or any other jacking device. Pallets come in different forms: stringer, block, and perimeter based pallets.

Shrink Wrap Machines – Shrink wrap machines apply shrink wrap over products. Shrink wraps are manufactured to shrink in one direction or in both directions. They are used to pack books, CDs, DVDs, and even buildings.

Whether you decide to purchase a shrink wrap machine or carton sealing tape, always contact your local packaging equipment manufacturer to get the best deals on your packaging equipment.