In today's society, packaging products are everywhere, and people's lives are closely related to packaging. So, how much do you know about the machines that produce packaging cardboard boxes? If you plan to invest in a cardboard company, the following content may be helpful to you.
What is a carton box printing machine?
A carton box printing machine is an industrial equipment specifically designed for graphic and textual printing on corrugated cardboard (the material used to make cardboard boxes). It is not only a simple printing of patterns, but also usually integrates multiple post-processing steps such as slotting, die-cutting, nailing/gluing boxes, etc. It is the core equipment in the cardboard box production process.
What are the characteristics of carton box machines?
High efficiency and automation
High speed production: Modern cardboard machines operate at extremely fast speeds, such as high-speed corrugated cardboard production lines that can reach hundreds of meters per minute, and printing slotting and die-cutting machines that can produce hundreds of cardboard boxes per minute.
Continuous operation: Automated assembly lines achieve continuous production from raw paper to boxes, greatly reducing intermediate links and manual intervention.
Save manpower: An automated device can replace a large number of manual operations, reducing labor intensity and labor costs.
High precision and stability
Accurate size: Using computer control and servo motor drive, ensuring that the size, pressure line, and slotting position of each carton are highly accurate, ensuring the forming quality and stacking stability of the cartons.
Exquisite printing: High precision printing units (especially pre printing and flexographic printing) can achieve printing of complex patterns, small text, and precise color matching, enhancing the packaging quality of products.
Stable operation: The sturdy mechanical structure and reliable control system ensure that the machine can operate continuously and stably for a long time with a low failure rate.
Flexibility and versatility
Convenient specification switching: Most devices are equipped with computer memory function, which can store various order specifications and parameters, making it quick and convenient to switch between producing different sizes of cardboard boxes.
Multi purpose: Many composite equipment, such as printing slotting and die-cutting machines, integrate functions such as printing, slotting, die-cutting, and gluing/nailing boxes, reducing equipment investment and footprint.
Suitable for multiple materials: can handle cardboard of different weights, layers (such as three-layer, five layer, seven layer corrugated cardboard), and materials.
Intelligence and digitalization
Central control system: adopting PLC (programmable logic controller) and touch screen human-machine interface, with intuitive operation, convenient parameter setting, and real-time monitoring of production status. Data collection and analysis: It can be integrated with the factory's MES (Manufacturing Execution System) to collect production data (such as output, efficiency, downtime) for production management and optimization.
Fault diagnosis: The system has automatic diagnostic function, which can quickly locate the fault point and shorten the maintenance time.
What are the working processes of carton box printing machines?
1.Paper feeding unit
This is the starting point of the entire process.
Function: Automatically, smoothly, and accurately feed stacked flat corrugated cardboard into the printing unit. Process:
The operator places stacks of cut corrugated cardboard on the paper feeding platform, and ensures that the topmost cardboard is always at the appropriate height through an automatic lifting platform.
Using leading edge vacuum suction or friction wheels, the cardboard is separated one by one and fed into the machine. The former is commonly used in high-speed machines because it ensures the accuracy of paper feeding and is crucial for high-speed operation.
2.Printing unit
This is the part that endows the cardboard box with patterns and text. The current mainstream printing method is flexographic printing.
Function: Perform monochrome or multi-color printing on the surface of cardboard.
Process:
Mesh roller ink transfer: A metal roller called a "mesh roller" with countless small, uniform pits (mesh holes) on its surface, used to precisely control the amount of ink transfer. It dips ink from the ink fountain.
Scratching: When the mesh roller rotates, a scraper (usually a closed scraper system) scrapes off excess ink on the surface, leaving only the ink inside the mesh cavity.
Graphic transfer: A mesh roller with a fixed amount of ink transfers the ink onto the printing plate cylinder. A pre made flexible photosensitive resin plate (similar to a rubber stamp) is installed on the printing plate cylinder.
Printing: The graphic and textual parts on the printing plate cylinder are then directly pressed with ink onto the corrugated cardboard passing underneath.
Multi color printing: Machines typically have 2-6 or even more printing units. The cardboard will pass through each color printing unit in sequence, and through a precise registration system, the complete color pattern will be overlaid.
3.Slotting and die-cutting unit
After printing is completed, the cardboard needs to be processed into the shape of a cardboard box.
Function:
Slotting: Cut the folding line of the upper and lower rocking covers on the cardboard, and remove the excess part between the box covers.
Die cutting: If the cardboard box is not a standard regular box type (such as with handle holes, irregular windows, special structures), a mold needs to be used for precise cutting.
Process:
Slotting: It is completed by a pair of upper and lower matched slotting knife wheels and wire pressing wheels. Cut the knife into the cardboard to form a gap; The pressure roller presses crease lines on the cardboard to facilitate subsequent folding.
Die cutting: divided into flat die cutting and circular die cutting. The cardboard box machine usually uses the latter.
Circular die-cutting: A die-cutting cylinder equipped with an arc-shaped die-cutting knife is combined with an anvil cylinder to cut the cardboard into a specific shape as it passes through, like stamping. Die cutting and indentation can be completed simultaneously.
4.Stacking output unit
This is the endpoint of the process.
Function: Collect, count, and stack the processed cardboard neatly for bundling and transportation.
Process:
The cardboard that has been die cut and slotted is sent out through a conveyor belt.
At the exit, there is a stacking platform. Organize the cardboard neatly through a camera.
The machine will automatically count, and when the stack reaches the preset quantity, the platform will automatically descend or send a signal. The operator will remove a stack of finished products and start a new stack.
What are the main types of cardboard printing machines?
Carton printing machines are mainly divided into the following categories based on their degree of automation, printing principles, and functions:
Ink printing slotting machine
This is the most common and widely used type.
Working principle: Contact printing is performed using water-based ink through resin or rubber plates (similar to seals).
Features:
High integration: usually integrates printing, slotting, and die-cutting into one, completing multiple processes in one stop.
High efficiency: suitable for production of medium to large order volumes.
Moderate cost: The equipment and plate making costs are relatively low.
Applicable to the production of the vast majority of conventional corrugated cardboard boxes.
Preprint machine
This machine does not print on already formed cardboard, but prints on the surface kraft paper (face paper) before producing corrugated cardboard. Working principle: Typically, gravure printing or flexographic printing is used for high-speed printing on large rolls of paper.
Features:
High printing quality: bright colors, rich layers, suitable for high-end gift boxes, home appliance packaging, etc.
Extremely high production efficiency: suitable for single orders in large quantities.
High cost: The plate making and startup costs are very high.
Applicable: For orders with extremely high printing quality requirements and large quantities, such as beer boxes, beverage boxes, etc.
digital printing press
This is a rapidly developing new technology in recent years.
Working principle: Similar to an office inkjet printer, the nozzle is directly controlled by a computer to spray ink onto the cardboard.
Features:
No need for plate making: eliminates the steps and time of making physical printing plates.
Flexible printing capacity: very suitable for small batch, personalized, and short version orders.
Variable data printing: It is easy to achieve different information such as QR codes and serial numbers on each cardboard box. High cost per unit: Compared to traditional mass printing, the printing cost of a single cardboard box is higher.
Applicable: sample making, personalized customized packaging, short version pop-up event packaging, etc.
What are the main parameters of cardboard printing machines?
The main printing parameters are as follows:
Printing color count: refers to the number of colors that a machine can print at once. Common colors include 2 colors, 3 colors, 4 colors, 5 colors, and high-end devices can reach 7 colors or even more.
Maximum mechanical speed: The theoretical maximum operating speed that a machine can reach, usually measured in sheets per hour or meters per minute. This is a key indicator for measuring the potential of machine production capacity.
Effective printing width: refers to the maximum cardboard width that the machine can handle. This is the decisive parameter that determines how large cardboard boxes can be produced. Common specifications include 1.6 meters, 2.0 meters, 2.2 meters, 2.5 meters, 2.8 meters, etc.
Maximum Paper Feed Size: The maximum cardboard length and width (length x width) that the machine can accept.
Minimum Paper Feed Size: The minimum length and width of cardboard that the machine can handle stably. This determines the production capacity of small paper boxes.
Applicable cardboard thickness range: The minimum and maximum thickness (corrugated type) of corrugated cardboard that the machine can process, such as 1mm-10mm.
Total power: The total electrical load required for the operation of the entire equipment, measured in kilowatts (kW).
What are the factors that affect the price of cardboard printing machines?
In addition to the type of machine, the following points will significantly affect the final quotation:
Printing color quantity: For each additional color, an additional printing unit is required, and the price will correspondingly increase.
Maximum printing size: The larger the cardboard size that can be printed, the larger the machine specifications and the higher the price.
Automation level: Whether equipped with automatic paper feeding machine, automatic waste cleaning, mechanical arm stacking, etc., these options will significantly increase costs.
Brand and place of origin: Imported brands (European, Japanese) are usually much more expensive than domestic brands, but they may have advantages in precision, stability, and lifespan. Domestic brands offer high cost-effectiveness and convenient after-sales service.
Configuration and functions: such as whether it has die-cutting function, whether it is circular die-cutting or flat die-cutting, whether it has vacuum suction conveyor, etc.
Old and new: Second hand machines are a cost reducing option, with prices possibly only 30% -70% of new machines, but they come with a certain risk of failure and a shorter equipment lifespan.
How to choose a suitable cardboard printing machine for oneself?
Before understanding machines, one must first have a clear understanding of oneself.
Business type and product positioning:
Are you a cardboard box manufacturer or an internal packaging department? This determines your requirements for production capacity and automation level.
Do your customers/products have high requirements for printing quality? Is it a simple logistics turnover box or does it require beautifully patterned consumer goods packaging? This determines the printing accuracy and color set you need.
Order characteristics:
Batch size: mainly long orders, large orders, or short orders with small batches and multiple varieties? This directly affects your requirements for the efficiency of machine order replacement.
Order stability: Is the order stable and does it have significant seasonal fluctuations? This is related to the planning of equipment production capacity.
Carton specifications: What size range of cartons do you mainly produce? (Length, width, height). This determines the maximum and minimum printing size of the machine you need.
Printing process requirements: Color quantity: What is the maximum printing color quantity that may be required currently and in the future? (Usually 1-4 colors, complex patterns may require more).
Do you need online processing? Besides printing, is it necessary to complete the subsequent processes such as slotting, die-cutting, nailing/gluing boxes on the same equipment? Online production can greatly improve efficiency.
Raw materials and substrates:
What type of cardboard material is mainly used? Is it A, B, C, E tile, micro tile, or heavy-duty cardboard? The paper feeding and printing units of the machine must be able to stably process the cardboard you commonly use. What is the maximum weight/thickness of the cardboard?
Budget Range:
This includes the initial purchase budget (equipment itself, installation, training) and operational budget (materials, ink, consumables, maintenance, labor, electricity). There should be a clear upper limit
Finally, I hope that through the above introduction to cardboard printing machines, you will have a preliminary understanding of printing machines, and I also hope that you can purchase machines that are cost-effective.
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