Automatic Box Folding Machine: The Ultimate FAQ Guide

I know you’re probably looking for the best automatic box folding machine.

That’s why I will answer all your questions on automatic box folding machine.

Whether you want to learn about the specifications, working principle, benefits, classification or features – you will find everything right here.

Let’s dive right in.

What Is An Automatic Box Folding Machine Used For?

An automatic folding machine is equipment used to fold paper or flat die-cut material autonomously for shipments and deliveries.

An automatic folding machine may turn out materials for a bulk mailing in minutes. Consequently, reducing the time frame and saving unpleasant paper cuts on an operator by removing much of the physical effort from the production.

Automatic Box Folding Machine

Which Features Should You Consider When Choosing Automatic Box Folding Machine?

Due to the complex operations they perform and the high cost, knowing what to look for when purchasing an automatic folding machine is critical.

As a result, before making a purchase, you should consider these essential features:

Craftsmanship Of The Machine

One of the essential features to consider when buying a folding box machine is the craftsmanship. Because they have a large volume of work to accomplish, most enterprises purchase an automatic folding machine.

If the craftsmanship is poor, the machine will not withstand the project’s demands and will be more prone to breakdowns.

You must select a machine with a sturdy framework. The lesser the vibrations and the lower the equipment is to the floor, the more exact the finished result.

To be safe, avoid buying a folding machine made of castings or angle iron.

Such structures are more prone to create high vibrations that dislodge nuts and screws over time.

Eventually, resulting in a machine breakdown.

Safety Features

Box folding machines might cause accidents since they contain moving parts.

Fortunately, most box folding machine manufacturers include several safety measures to safeguard people and make equipment safer to use.

Before purchasing, look for the following features:

• Make sure all belts and pinch points are correctly secured.
• When the operator clicks the start button, the system should emit an alarm signal.
• The machine should include a two-press start method to allow the operator to move before the equipment runs.
• Look for a lockout E-start feature, which forces the operator to reset the machine, following a jam, manually.

Check To See What Types Of Blanks The Machine Can Handle

Some folding machines’ designs permit them to fold paper blanks alone, while others can fold various materials.

It is critical that you double-check what materials the machine can handle. Before making a purchase, make sure to look for the following features:

• A belt speed of at least 400 meters per minute is required. Some machine belts travel at rates of up to 600 rpm.
• Provision of extra tooling to assist in guiding the carton and holding it down as necessary.
  Due to the unavailability of this equipment on specific machines, it will force operators to utilize baling wire and tape to maintain blanks in position.
  A lack of tooling might make it difficult for the operator to do their tasks appropriately.
• At least twelve folding patterns and six finger assemblies should be present. Do not buy a gadget that delivers less than these.
  The more arms and finger assemblies the machine has, the better it will manage the blanks and fold and glue them properly.
• A lower right-hand glue pot is also a helpful feature that makes the operator’s job a lot easier.
• Even if a company is tiny, understand what blanks can be printed and how quickly the folding machine can be altered for various presentations.
• The more information you have on the machine, the more prepared you will be to make the best decision.

Examine After-Sale Service

You should buy a folding machine to be a long-term customer. Every purchase must include training from the manufacturer.

Learning how to run the equipment properly will assist in extending its life, avoid costly malfunctions, and keep employees safe.

How Do You Control Automatic Box Folding Machine?

Different control systems help monitor the production process in automatic box folding machines.

The following are examples of such systems:

Servo Control System

Automatic box folding machines with servo drives exhibit extensive, user-friendly operator touch screen controls.

Servo drives, provide accurate control, reduce board jams, and speed up problem resolution.

PLC System

Automatic box folding machines also employ the PLC system and touch screen for easy operation. This system is also able to monitor the output quantity, speed, and counting.

The PLC system also ensures a consistent production process, energy conservation, and saving on labour costs.

HMI System

Automatic box folding machines employ the HMI – MPC4 control system, which is user-friendly and intuitive.

This system assumes complete control of your machine through box visualization and ensures a steady production process.

What Is The Recommended Speed Of Automatic Box Folding Machine?

An automatic box folding machine can fold and seal 20 to 35 boxes in one minute, depending on the operator. Notably, this is 5 to 8 times more efficient than a manual box folding machine.

Can You Integrate Automatic Box Folding Machine Into A Production Line?

Yes, you can integrate automatic box folding machines into a production line in large enterprises.

This will serve to facilitate efficiency and reduce production costs significantly.

Integrating box folding machines with a manufacturing line will help;

• Simplify the supply chain
• Reduce waste and energy consumption
• Assures a significantly faster time-to-market.

What Are The Primary Parts Of Automatic Box Folding Machine?

A box folding machine is a modular system.

Depending on its use, it is made up of several different components.

These may include the following:

Parts of box folding machine

Feeder

The feeder guarantees a precise feeding of the blanks, which is critical for accurate operation. Various feeder configurations aid in the more efficient processing of multiple materials or product lines.

Pre-breakers

These break the wrinkles in cartons ahead of time, making them easier to handle on automatic filling operations.

Crash-lock Module

This part folds the base flaps of crash-lock bottom boxes using either hook-based or non-hook-based technology.

GYROBOX unit

For spinning blanks at full production frequency, allowing processing of complicated items in a single pass.

Combi-folders Or 4/6 Corner Devices

These are folding clips that rotate to fold the covers of multi-point boxes.

Folding Section

This section carries out the progressive folding and glueing of the boxes.

Transfer Section

The transfer section ejects the non-conforming boxes and defective cartons for delivery.

Delivery Section

The box folding machine’s mechanisms here exert pressure on the box flow to enable good glue adhesion.

A variety of auxiliary equipment, such as assemblers/packers, specific feeders, loaders, and automated palletizers, can be added to folder-gluer systems.

Parts of box folding machine

How Does An Automatic Box Folding Machine Work?

Automatic box folding machines use the following working principle:

Power on the machine, the whole conveyor belt moves, and the die-cut semi-finished carton is deposited in the machine’s paper feeding station.

Here, the conveyor belt autonomously sets the single box piece according to the paper stop head frame.

If the semi-finished carton is coated, polished, or has other surface treatments.

The glue gun can bond the matching box on the inner edge. This can occur concurrently with delivering the good paper feed at the middle part of the belt.

The box is then transported to the back part of the conveyor belt, which will be pressurized at the glue part to pack it.

The machine is fed with deciding data that allows it to operate according to the piece in progress.

The equipment carefully monitors the blank as it is altered during the folding and glueing process.

Any item that does not satisfy the machine’s predefined standards is discarded, ensuring a high degree of quality control.

Section of box folding machine

What Is The Type Of Glue Used In Automatic Box Folding Machine?

Water-based, latex-based, and solvent-based adhesives are all suitable for use with automatic box folding machines.

They can work with either hot melt or cold adhesive, depending on your preference.

Can You Use All Stock Types In Automatic Box Folding Machine?

Yes, you can use different types of paper material with varied thicknesses with automatic box folding machines.

The quality of the paper stock, on the other hand, might have a significant influence on the folding and glueing process.

Also, the higher the stock quality, the more likely it will go smoothly through the machine and have fewer rejections.

The challenge arises when the end-user has to balance the price of the paper stock.

For bigger businesses, the paper or board employed could significantly influence the operation’s ultimate cost.

Which Are The Types Of Carton Box You Can Form Using Automatic Box Folding Machine?

Automatic box folding machines use different materials to form boxes of different styles based on predefined specifications. The major types of cartons include the following:

Folding Cartons

These boxes are composed of a single sheet of paper. Since they are primarily paperboard, they are also known as paper board cartons or paperboard boxes.

It can also be built out of corrugated board or fiberboard.

Box formation involves die-cutting and folding a single sheet.

It may be customized with print and exterior finishing like lamination, embossing, foiling, glueing, and other alternatives.

Rigid Cartons

Rigid cartons, or telescopic cartons, are distinct from folding cartons.

The top and bottom halves of rigid cartons are separated and manufactured from two separate cardboard sheets.

Rigid cardboard is more durable and does not fold or collapse.

Their typical application is for items with a higher perceived worth and bulky items and requires more support.

Shoe boxes, apparel goods, and gadgets all use stiff cardboard packing.

Corrugated Boxes

The manufacture of these boxes is from a three-layered corrugated sheet. The wavy flute is the intermediate layer, and it helps to provide a cushioning effect to the goods packed in it.

This layer is protected on both sides by liners, which are flat outer layers. This construction type increases the box’s bending rigidity.

Despite their small weight, corrugated boxes are reliable due to their robust and lasting feature.

These boxes come in a variety of densities and thicknesses. Double or triple-walled corrugated boxes are also available options.

Boxboard Or Paperboard Cartons

Boxboard paper is manufactured from a thick paper-based substrate with a grammage of more than 250 GSM.

Paperboard has the benefit of being able to be folded elaborately and printed with vibrant colours, as well as being able to be lined with various materials.

As a result, the completed goods are eye-catching.

Making them ideal for retail items commonly displayed on supermarket shelves.

The boxboards can undergo lamination for increased strength and water resistance.

Slotted Cartons

This sort of carton, composed mostly of corrugated paper, is excellent for storage and shipment.

They are held together with staples and tapes. Slotted cartons made with box folding machines are less expensive.

It is sturdy and secures the stuff within since it is slotted.

Which Carton Folding Styles Can You Achieve With Automatic Carton Box Folding Machine?

Automatic box folding machines utilize the following prominent cardboard folding styles:

Lock Bottom Box

Lock Bottom Box

Lock bottom boxes, also known as 1-2-3 bottom boxes, are meant to accommodate heavy objects.

The bottom flaps press into each other, producing a strong foundation that won’t open even if the goods inside are heavy.

They usually have a top tuck panel with tension locks or slit locks for the top locking.

One-piece Tuck Top Boxes

1-Piece Tuck Boxes

Because of its double sidewalls, the tuck top box is highly durable and reliable. It’s has a mailer box shape, but it’s constructed of paperboard.

The double-wall tuck top box features one top opening and two closing flaps with a tension lock that folds into the bottom of the box.

Holster Boxes

A holster box, sometimes known as a half box, contains an open-top and no closing tucks.

They’re great for soap bars or anything else when the top part of the product has to be transparent.

A straight truck or a lock bottom is used to shut the box at the bottom.

Holster boxes

Straight Tuck Boxes

Straight Tuck Boxes

The application of Straight tuck boxes is in a range of businesses.

The primary panel is connected to both the top and bottom closing panels.

A straight tuck box folds in the same manner from front to rear.

A straight tuck end box usually features slit locks to keep the tucks in place.

Can You Form All Box Sizes Using A Single Automatic Box Folding Machine?

Yes. Automatic box folding machines are highly versatile and can produce boxes in sizes from 1100 to 1700 millimetres.

You may also choose from four to six-corner boxes with lockable bottoms, box dividers, or any other feature you select.

They can work with either hot melt or cold adhesive, depending on your preference.

In addition, our box folding and glueing devices are modular.

Consequently, the units may be customized to your specifications and readily modified as your needs change. It’s even possible to include the setup computer.

Conclusively, the machine size will directly influence the size range of the box manufactured. However, specific machine size is not limited to produce only one box size.

How Does Automatic Box Folding Machine Compare To Semi-Automatic Box Folding Machine?

Semi-Automatic Box Folding Machine

More Units

The automatic box folding machine carries out multiple roles in the box-making process thanks to the various units. The primary units include:

• Paper feeding section
• printing unit
• Cutting or glazing subsystem
• Roller unit
• Slotting folding stick box area
• Strapping or stacking unit.

Continuous Production

Also, the complete production process is not interrupted in one carton in the automatic box folding manufacturing line. Consequently, reducing production time, boosting up the production rate, and increasing output.

There are certain pauses in production in a semi-automatic box folding machine, which decreases operational efficiency.

Manufacturing Speed

Fully automatic and semi-automatic box folding machines have various outcomes in terms of manufacturing speed.

Fully automated box folding devices are better suited for large-scale order fulfilment operations.

Using a fully automatic box folding machine in the manufacturing of boxes ensures both quality and process stability.

Furthermore, there is a loss minimization of approximately 10%, and a significant amount of space is conserved.

Adopting a completely automatic box folding machine reduces personnel, saving a significant amount of money and lowering production costs.

In essence, using a fully automated box folding machine will boost your company’s overall efficiency and brand.

An Automatic Box Folding Machine

Which Industries Use Automatic Box Folding Machine?

Automatic box folding machines may be found in various applications, although they are most common in the packaging industry.

Crash-lock, straight-line, and multi-point boxes are among the many types of boxes produced by these machines.

These devices are also used regularly by envelope manufacturers and commercial printers.

Automatic box folding machines are highly specialized systems that do exact tasks.

Depending on the kind and materials, these machines may produce anywhere from 5,000 to 12,000 boxes every hour.

What Is An Automatic Box Folding Machine Price In China?

The cost of a folding machine for manufacturing high-grade covered boxes with excellent design and dependable performance varies.

For a semi-automatic folding machine, the price ranges from $6000 to $8000 per set. On the other hand, the price is from $10,000 to $200000 per set for a fully automated folding machine.

Do Automatic Box Folding Machines Have Printing Capability?

An automatic boxing machine’s primary function is to construct regular slotted boxes from corrugated cardboard sheets in a single process.

However, some box folding machines incorporate a flexographic printing unit.

A flexo box folding machine is a linearly laid out integrative system that includes several complementary components.

That feed and flexo print the board in multiple patterns. It later die-cuts, folds, and glues it to make a completed box.

Each printing unit in a flexographic box folding machine consists of:

• An anilox roller: A highly designed metal laser etched with minute cells of a certain angle and volume to produce the desired print fineness.
• Chambered doctor blade system: A mechanism that distributes a precise quantity of ink to the anilox roller’s cells.
• Plate cylinder: Holds the printing plate.
• Impression cylinder: A sleeve that holds the material as the printing plate is pushed against it
• Inking system: Comprises ink storage tank, ink pump with delivery and returning ink lines.Additional components to guarantee ink supply and viscosity are maintained.

Driers may be placed between the printing units to add successive colours to the substrates without overlapping the already printed ones.

Depending on the requirements, these driers may use hot air, infrared, or ultra-violet light.

How Can You Troubleshoot Automatic Box Folding Machine?

Here are some of the problems that an automatic box folding machine may experience over time:

Folds, Gaps, And Wrinkles In The Incorrect Places Due To Inaccuracy

A number of factors might cause these faults.

The issue might be the structure of the paper or cardboard itself or the finish given to the material’s surface.

Use a different substrate to examine the machine once more. Inspect the upstream SOPs if the issues persist.

There might be faults in the procedures, such as overloading or under-loading the feeder plate.

It’s also possible that the conveyor belts are worn or misaligned. In either case, you’d have to shut down your operation completely to allow for repairs and replacements.

Inconsistent Or Slow Pace

We provide folding machines built to last a lifetime.

However, they can only reach their full potential if they are well-maintained and cared for.

When production velocity starts to fluctuate, it’s time for a servicing inspection and a look for underlying problems.

Adhesive Failure

Adhesive failures are typically a glue composition problem quickly resolved by switching to a better adhesive or increasing the glue applied by the gluer.

Alternatively, you can use a grinding instrument to strengthen the glueing component.

Paper Jams

Paper jams are another issue with several potential causes.

As the material or cardboard passes from one area to the next, paper jams are common inside the unit.

This might happen when the substrate specifications are too big or too narrow.

The conveyors are misaligned, or the bottom fold plates are even marginally off their right locations.

We may give instructional references for your on-site experts to follow to troubleshoot the latter two.

Paper jams that persist might indicate hardware damage, such as a bent fold plate deflector. If this is the case, please contact us right away to ship you a new component as soon as possible.

Curling Edges

Rapid runs through rollers and fold plates can cause thin paper substrates to curl.

Curls can be corrected by expanding the distance between the feeding lip and the machine’s feeding lip or adding smoothers and guides.

The latter guarantees that the paper goes through the machine in the proper position.

Curling becomes more challenging to control when sheets have curls in different places.

One reason might be that the folds go counter to the grain of the packaging materials.

You can rotate the sheets or tilt the stacks to parallel the folds to the grain in the feeding station.

Two Or More Materials Enter The Feeder At The Same Time

Two or more sheets may cling together in the feeder plate and enter the machine simultaneously.

If the box folding machine is run constantly and fast.

At the absolute least, you’ll have a few faulty boxes. At worst, you’ll experience production delays due to paper jams.

By physically fanning the edges of the sheets with your thumbs, you may avoid this. However, when you have numerous machines to operate, this approach is inefficient.

Fortunately, we provide extra features such as a suction device to help the feeder function better.

How Do You Specify Automatic Box Folding Machine?

Choosing the correct gluer for your business may make all the difference in productivity and keeping up and getting ahead of your workload.

Request a folding machine that can handle the items your firm produces. Generally, a machine that makes simple, side seam, or ‘straight line’ cartons.

Preferably, the machine should also be automated. At least 12 folding forms and 6 finger assemblies are required for this functionality.

Tooling to orient and support the cartons is a good feature to search for in your new folding machine, as is an appropriate bottom glue pot.

Take into account what you need to accomplish right now and what your folding machine could need to perform in the future.

Optional add-ons that may be purchased later are beneficial. Inquire about the machine’s servicing and support options as well.

A warranty should be offered, as well as operator training.

What Is The Ideal GSM For Stock Used In Automatic Box Folding Machine?

The threshold between paper and board is usually set at 160 grams per square meter (GSM). Only at this amount, a fibrous substance becomes stiff and solid enough to be used as a container.

Carton board is generally used in the packaging sector to make various folding cartons, but it may also be utilized in graphics. The board required for folding cartons is typically between 200 and 600 GSM, or 350 and 800 microns.

Do You Supply Automatic Box Folding Machine Spare Parts?

Yes. For all of your box folding requirements, we provide high-quality, professional-grade folding machine spare parts.

These spare parts are backed by updated technologies and are packed with the most cutting-edge features.

Resulting in improved performance and operational stability.

Our box folding machine components also include advanced CNC technology and are PLC controlled, making them easy to use and maintain.

The machine parts have homogeneous surfaces and are highly accurate. These folding machine spare parts are made of rigid materials for long-term durability and efficiency.

What Is The Warranty Period Of Your Automatic Box Folding Machine?

Box folding machine

Generally, the warranty period for our automatic box folding machine ranges from 9 to 122 months.

I know you may also be interested in:

• Types of Cartoning Machines
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In case you have any questions about automatic box folding machines – contact SaintyCo now.