Packaging Equipment

Packaging equipment can dramatically reduce labor, optimize your packaging process and increase your company’s productivity. With packaging equipment, you can automate your packaging line and reallocate your personnel to where they are needed most.

Production automation allows companies to increase efficiency without sacrificing quality or craftsmanship. Robotic packaging automation, in particular, mimics human movements accurately to increase process yields. Handling and placing items, packing cases, and palletizing become more efficient when robotic solutions are utilized.

At TPC Packaging Solutions, we have been a supplier of packaging and shipping products for over 50 years. Our experience and knowledge tell us there isn’t always a one-size-fits-all solution for automating a packaging line. That’s why we provide many options of packaging equipment to make sure your facility receives an optimized solution.

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Types of Semi and Fully-Automated Packaging Equipment

TPC Packaging Solutions has many types of semi and fully automated packaging equipment. Our products can be customized to meet the needs of each application and help increase efficiency and workplace safety. The following are some of our most popular automation solutions.

Shrink Equipment

Shrink equipment performs shrink-wrapping processes. Only two components are needed to perform this process: heat and shrink film. Using these elements, nearly anything can be packaged to be weatherproof, waterproof, and/or tamper-proof. Shrink equipment accomplishes this quickly and reliably, even on large or awkwardly shaped products.

TPC provides a diverse selection of shrink films, including:

Anti-static films for electronics
Shrink tubing
PVC, polyethylene, and polyolefin
Shrink bands
Printed shrink labels

Product Identification (Marking, Coding, and Labeling)

Product identification refers to the use of labels, marks, and barcodes (including 2D, and QR) to facilitate product traceability and brand protection. By adding these identifiers to items, manufacturers can better track their movement through the manufacturing process and to the end-user. This makes it easier to manage resources within inventory, trace a problem back to the source, and, if needed, recall products from retailers and consumers. These identifiers can also provide important product information to retailers and consumers and prevent product tampering or counterfeiting.

Companies can use several different methods for product identification, including:

Marking & Coding. Product marks and codes can be printed directly on products or secondary product packaging. This print will represent regulation-required information (e.g., lot codes, barcodes, serial numbers, best by dates, etc.), specific product information (e.g., batch codes), brand information (e.g., logos and graphics), and/or logistics information (e.g. storage or shipment details). Direct printing on primary packaging generally requires the implementation of a CIJ (continuous ink jet) printer or laser coder and the choice is dependent on application factors such as location of mark, production speeds, production line footprint, safety measures, and maintenance. Direct printing on secondary packaging (i.e. boxes and bags) will require the selection of a print technology (graphics, thermal ink jet, drop on demand) that is dependent on factors such as information required to print, print space allowed on the substrate, production line footprint and environment. When possible, many users prefer direct printing over labeling as the cost and maintenance savings when printing directly is quite substantial.

Labeling. In applications that require a label instead of a direct mark, product labels can be applied either from pre-printed stock or created in-line and printed as needed. Labels can be of varying materials including paper, polyester, and foil. They are also considered to be either “thermal” or “thermal transfer” (requiring ribbon) with their selection based on application needs and/or customer requirements. Label applicators play a critical part in labeling both primary and secondary packaging but also complement automation in tertiary (pallet/container) labeling as well, where they provide critical information on contents, storage, and shipping details.TPC offers a variety of products and equipment for primary and secondary marking, coding, and labeling operations, including:

Bar Code and Graphics High Resolution Printers
Direct to Panel Box Printers
Print and Apply Label Applicators
Adjacent Panel and Corner Wrap Label Applicatorss
Semi-Automatic/Automatic Bottle Labelers
Laser Coders
Hot Stamp Printers
Label Creation SoftwareLabel Dispensers

Case & Tray Erectors

Automatic case and tray erectors take case blanks and assemble them into fully erected bottom-sealed cases. They are fairly simple in comparison to other types of packaging equipment. Case and tray erectors can reduce labor costs and free human workers from performing this highly repetitive and tedious task. High-speed erectors deliver completed boxes quickly, saving time and money. Case and tray erectors are available in a range of speed capabilities and are easily adjustable.

Case Sealers

Case sealers fold and seal the top of packed cartons. They facilitate faster line speeds that result in significant cost savings. Case sealers provide reliability and efficiency to the end of production processes after the packaging processes have been completed. There are several varieties of case sealers, including semi and fully automatic as well as adjustable models.

TPC provides automated case sealing solutions for even highly unique boxes, including:

H-seals
L-clips
C-Clips
Tall, short, narrow, and large boxes

Case Packers

Case packers fill cases with finished products by automatically loading them into boxes. This equipment can greatly increase productivity as it works quickly and efficiently. There are several types of case packing equipment, including:

Overwrapping
Robotic case packers
Vertical case packers
Horizontal case packers

Banding Equipment

Applying a band of heat-sealable material around a product or collection of products to create a bundle is referred to as banding. Automated banding or strapping equipment improves the appearance of products and allows for promotional or informative text to be added to the packaging. Banding equipment can also be used to seal products.

There are several unique benefits to adopting automated banding or strapping solutions. For example, banding allows different products to be handled in mixed production runs and involves sealing elements that do not touch the product itself. Banding equipment is easy to operate and requires low maintenance. Banding equipment comes in several varieties, including:

Semi-automatic tabletop banders
Automatic arch banders
Side-seal banders
Stainless steel banders for food processing applications
Portable banding tools

Palletizers

A palletizer is an automatic machine that sorts, transfers, and stacks cases of goods onto a pallet. Automatic palletizers are ideally suited for high-volume shipping applications and provide excellent load stability, precision, and operating speed. There are four types of palletizers:

Robotic
In-line
High level
Low level

Stretch Wrap Machines

In high production packaging environments, stretch wrap machines provide necessary efficiency while allowing human employees to take on more fulfilling tasks. These machines also allow companies to reduce costs due to downgauging stretch film. Stretch wrap machines consistently wrap each pallet and a thinner film can be used without sacrificing load stability.

There are several types of stretch wrap machines, including:

Semi-automatic
Fully automatic
Turntables
Rotary arm wrappers
Horizontal wrappers
Portable wrappers
High and low-profile models

Choose Packaging Equipment from TPC Packaging Solutions

TPC Packaging Solutions offers a comprehensive selection of packaging equipment, including numerous additional models beyond those mentioned here. Some of the other equipment we manufacture includes:

Industrial turntables
L-clip tape machines
Cartoners
Conveyors
On-demand delivery systems for paper, air pillows, or bubbles
Scales
Roll and wicketed baggers
Material handling equipment

TPC creates customized-to-specification equipment for a diverse range of industries. For example, the food and beverage industry, as well as the medical industry, require temperature-controlled packaging. TPC is highly experienced at meeting these strict requirements. We are also a trusted source for the creation and implementation of customized solutions in the following markets:

E-commerce pick and pack
Automotive aftermarket
Manufacturing and assembly
Building and construction
Maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO)

Contact us today to find a custom packaging solution for your products. Our experts will help you develop a personalized automation solution that addresses the unique challenges your work environment faces.

We offer quality products from:

Interested in automating your packaging line? Contact us at 800.543.4930 and one of our TPC representatives will be happy to help. We can schedule a visit to better understand your packaging process.

At TPC, we are committed to finding your company the absolute best packaging equipment. Contact us today!

Packaging Equipment Gallery
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