nouvelles de l'entreprise How does a small corrugated cardboard boxes made step by step?

Today we will talk about this very specific and interesting production process. What are the processes involved from a corrugated cardboard to a carton box?

Transforming an ordinary corrugated cardboard into a sturdy cardboard box, it mainly include below four process: : printing, slotting, die-cutting, and box nailing/gluing.
Let's talk about each step in these process:
Step 1: Raw materials - corrugated cardboard
Firstly, the factory will purchase or produce large corrugated cardboard. It is usually made by three or five layers (or even more) of paper laminated together, the wavy part in the middle called the "corrugation", it responsible for providing cushioning and compressive strength; Flat top and bottom paper is responsible for load-bearing and printing.
Step 2: Main processing flow (completed on modern printing slotting die-cutting machines)
Modern carton box factories usually use integrated "printing slotting die-cutting machines" to complete multiple steps in one time. Below are their separate functions:
1. Paper feeding and printing
Large corrugated cardboard is automatically fed into the paper feeding section of the machine.
Printing unit: The machine uses flexographic printing and water ink. According to the design, it can printed 1-4 colors. The company logo, product information, warning signs, etc. on the cardboard box are all completed in this step.

2. Slotting
The printed cardboard comes to the slotting part. The purpose of slotting is to form the flip cover (up and down rocking cover) and creases of the cardboard box.
The machine uses sharp circular blades to cut gaps (grooves) at specific locations on the cardboard, but it will not cut the whole cardboard. These gaps separate the lid and box of the cardboard box.
3. Wire cutting/die cutting (this"die cutting" refers to special shapes)
Line pressing: Synchronized with or immediately following the slotting, the machine uses a blunt knife (line pressing wheel) to press grooves on the cardboard, forming clear lines. This is the key point how the cardboard box being able to fold neatly.
Die cutting: If the cardboard box is not a standard rectangle, a "die cutting" station is needed. A pre made mold with blades will be stamped out, like a cookie mold, to cut the required complex shape in one time.
4. Cutting and Stacking
After slotting and die-cutting, the huge cardboard will be divided into individual cardboard box blanks (called "box pieces").
The machine automatically stacks the box pieces neatly and waits for them to be joined into boxes on the next step.
Step 3: Joining (nail box or glue box)
Now we have a flat cardboard with printed patterns and well cut shapes, now we need connected it into a three-dimensional box.
1. Nail box
Use a nail box machine (similar as a large stapler).
Workers or automated machine will align the interfaces of the box pieces, and the machine will use metal nails (flat wires) to fasten the joints. This method has fast speed, low cost and high intensity, it is the most common method.
2. Stick the box
Use a box gluing machine.
The machine coated hot melt adhesive or white latex at the interface of the box, and then quickly presses it together. This method is more flat and aesthetically pleasing, without the risk of nail head rust or scratching the contents, this is normally used in high-end packaging and export packaging.
Step 4: Packaging and Shipping
The joined cardboard boxes were flattened and tied into bundles.
Attach the customer order information and then ship to the customer. Once customer using, they just only need to open the cardboard box, put the goods on the boxes, close the shaking lid, and seal it with tape.

So, below are the flowchart:
Corrugated cardboard raw materials → feeding into the linked production line → printing patterns → slotting/pressing lines → die-cutting → cutting and stacking → nailing or bonding forming → bundling and packaging → shipping

Just tell you a few knowledge tips:
The most express cardboard boxes you received are made by three-layer corrugated cardboard (single corrugated).
Heavy cardboard boxes for large household appliances and furniture are usually made by five or even seven layers of corrugated cardboard (double corrugated).
This process is highly automated, and an advanced linked production line can produce hundreds of cardboard boxes per minute.

After above intruduction, I believe you have a general understanding of the production process for corrugated cardboard boxes, I hope this information can help you once purchase a cardboard machine.