Case Erectors

FAQ: Case Erectors

• What is a case erector?

  A case erector is a case-forming machine that automatically forms, folds and seals cases from flat, or knock-down, corrugated blank. These efficient machines enable teams to save valuable time from having to construct cases during the product-packing process.

  Case erectors are known by many similar names such as case erector machines, automatic case erectors, automatic cardboard box case erectors, fully automatic case erectors, auto case erectors, robotic case erectors, case erectors and packers, case formers, case former machines, base case erectors and case erecting equipment.

  Additionally, some refer to these machines as box erectors and related terms, including box erector machines, box erector robots, automatic cardboard box case erectors, automatic box erectors, cardboard box erectors, cardboard box erector machines, carton box erectors and carton box erector machines. These machines are also known by the name carton erectors and related terms such as carton erector machines, automatic carton erectors, automatic carton erector machines, auto carton erectors, carton box erectors and carton box erector machines.

  Simply put, case erectors go by numerous names, with some favored in various geographical locations over others. We believe, however, that there is one brand name in the case erector industry that should truly matter to customers seeking out the best case erector: INSITE Packaging Automation.

• Are INSITE’s case erectors fully automatic case erectors?

  Yes, INSITE’s case erectors are indeed fully automatic case erectors. Our automatic case erectors also utilize SCARA robot technology and may also be referred to as robotic case erectors. Additionally, because of the speed ranges they’re capable of, our auto case erectors may be referred to as high-speed case erectors or high-speed carton erectors.

• How do I determine “machine hand”?

  INSITE determines machine hand by standing on the operator/HMI side of the box erector machine and observing the direction the cases travel. If the case blank moves from right to left as it’s erected and sealed, you are looking at a left-hand machine. If the case blank moves from left to right as it’s erected and sealed, you are looking at a right-hand machine. (See diagram.)

• How do I determine “case hand”?

  See Diagram

• What case types do INSITE’s case erectors & sealers accommodate?

  Regular Slotted Cases (RSCs). INSITE Packaging Automation offers RSC case erectors and case sealers.

• What type of hot-melt glue does INSITE recommend?

  INSITE recommends HB Fuller Advantra PHC 9256.

• How do I configure a case erector, and what options are available?

  Visit our Get a Quote page. It will walk you through the simple configuration process.

• How much do INSITE case erectors cost?

  Go to our Get a Quote page to learn the case erector cost and case erector price for INSITE Packaging Automation’s products. It will walk you through the configuration process and provide you a case erector machine price for your configured packaging machines. Our case erector prices are tailored according to your configuration specifications.

• What is the advantage of using a SCARA robot on INSITE’s carton erector?

  The SCARA robot enables simple, easy-to-program, repeatable, reliable and smooth case erecting motion. We’ve been doing this for a while, so we know that many other erectors require a certain level of tweaking and finessing to get a line up and running to your satisfaction.

  Our SCARA robot eliminates this, enabling extremely straightforward setup and operation. In fact, we tested our box erector on office personnel with no on-machine experience, and they were able to be up and running with a new case in a matter of minutes with minimal fuss.

• Can I buy INSITE case erectors through a local agent or distributor?

  Yes. If your agent or distributor is willing to purchase and resell our case erector machines to you, they are free to do so.

• Why is INSITE so open with its information?

  Operating with openness, transparency and accessibility is an easy way to respect your time. It’s also an easy way to get the most out of our resources so we can invest our money in creating better products at better prices for you.

• Does INSITE Packaging Automation customize its products?

  INSITE’s price points are made possible by our dedication to standardized parts, components and manufacturing processes. If you need something different, we, as a leading case erector manufacturer (sometimes mistakenly referred to as a carton erector machine manufacturer), are happy to help create a custom case erector to suit your business’ needs. Our stated price points and lead times, however, may no longer apply.

• What is the lead time for an INSITE case erector?

  INSITE strives to achieve market-acceptable lead times on all product deliveries. To start, we anticipate 4- to 6-week lead times, depending on the product configuration requested. Our long-term goal is to have many of these machines in stock and ready to ship within 3 to 4 weeks, assuming the order is for a standard or standard-with-options machine.

• What are the possible operating configurations for the box erector?

  There are four broad configurations for INSITE’s case erectors:

  • Left-hand glue
  • Left-hand tape
  • Right-hand glue
  • Right-hand tape

  Currently, all case erectors are rated for 20 or 30 cases per minute and come with the option of either a 4’ or 6’ powered magazine.

• What are the physical dimensions of INSITE’s case erectors?

  • Tape erector with 4’ magazine: 12.9’ x 4.66’
  • Tape erector with 6’ magazine: 14.9’ x 4.66’
  • Glue erector with 4’ magazine: 15.15’ x 4.66’
  • Glue erector with 6’ magazine: 17.15’ x 4.66’

  View footprint diagrams of our glue case erector and tape case erector.

• What case size ranges can be run on INSITE’s automatic case erectors?

  • Minimum: 9.5” (L) x 5.5” (W) x 5.0” (D)
  • Maximum: 18” (L) x 16” (W) x 16” (D)

• How many change points require adjustment during case erector changeovers?

  INSITE’s tape erectors require 10 points of change totaling between 2½ to 5 minutes.

  Our glue erectors require 12 points of change, also totaling between 2½ to 5 minutes.

• What are the power requirements of INSITE’s case erector machines?

  480V 3Ø, 60 HZ.

• What are the air requirements for INSITE’s auto case erector?

  90 PSI.

• What is the controls system for INSITE’s carton erector machine?

  Allen Bradley, Kinetix Servos, Powerflex VFDs.

• Is there an HMI on the box erector robot?

  Yes

• Are there any air cylinders on INSITE’s case erectors?

  Yes, there are two Festo air cylinders.

• Are there any options for the automatic case erector?

  Yes, there are 7 options available on our case erectors:

  1. Low materials with stack light
  2. 6’ magazine
  3. Smart discharge control
  4. 3” tape
  5. Spare Parts Kit
  6. Polycarbonate debris cover
  7. Operator side disconnect. (This is required by few customers for entry into the machine in jam clearing and removes power to the motor but not the drive. Removing power from the drive lengthens recovery time.) Our standard is a main disconnect that removes all power and is located on the enclosure over the magazine.

• What makes INSITE’s case erector different from competing products?

  INSITE Packaging Automation’s case erectors offer a number of notable differences compared with competing products. The biggest difference is our machine’s simplicity. By replacing traditional mechanical movement with a SCARA robot, we’re able to drastically reduce the number of components that each machine requires.

  With fewer components comes improvements in usability, reliability, maintainability and other areas.

• Why are case erectors sometimes referred to as carton erectors?

  As stated previously, case erectors are often referenced by a number of different names. For industry professionals with a lot of experience in secondary packaging, the most perplexing names have to do with the use of the term “carton” and related terms such as carton erectors, carton erector machine, carton erector and sealer, carton box erector and carton box erector machine.

  Let’s briefly explore the differences between boxes and cartons. Boxes are made from corrugated fiberboard, also known as corrugated cardboard or corrugated board. This material runs thicker than the material used to make cartons, as it comprises multiple layers of paper along with a fluted interior layer. Cartons are made from paperboard, which is usually a thin, single-ply construction and thicker than paper.

  In less-technical terms, you could consider boxes to be shipping-friendly whereas cartons are suitable for store-self products such as cereal or plastic wrap.

  Technically speaking, carton erector machine manufacturers are actually erecting paperboard carton material. For this reason, INSITE case erectors are technically not carton erector machines. Instead, INSITE box formers (another name for case erectors) form corrugated material into sealed cases.