company news about How much do you know about the production process of corrugated cardboard boxes?

How are corrugated cardboard boxes produced?
Simply say, it starts from rolls of raw paper materials, through multiple processes such as pressing, printing, and forming, finally becomes the familiar cardboard box we know. There are usually three production steps:
Step 1: Manufacturing corrugated cardboard
This is the basic step of all cardboard boxes. The whole process is completed at high speed on the corrugated cardboard production line.
Core raw materials: it mainly giant paper rolls made from recycled paper. These raw papers will be processed into the outer layer of the cardboard box, the inner layer of the cardboard box, and the wave shaped corrugated core paper that provides support and cushioning.
Key process: The corrugated core paper will be heated by high-temperature steam and form strong wavy patterns (it called"corrugation") under the pressure of metal rollers. Then, it will quickly press and bond with the surface paper and inner paper to form a tough corrugated cardboard. Modern high-speed production lines can reach speeds to 350 meters per minute.

Step 2: Printing and Die Cutting
At this step, the appearance and preliminary shape of the cardboard box will show to us, it mainly involving two processes: printing and die-cutting. According to the production sequence, printing technology is mainly divided into two steps:
1. Pre printing: First, perform high-definition color printing on the roll surface paper, and then composite it with corrugated core paper.
Applicable scenario: First, perform high-definition color printing on roll paper, and then composite it with corrugated core paper.
2. Post printing (direct printing): Directly printing on the formed corrugated cardboard. Normally use water-based flexographic printing, fast speed.
Applicable scenarios: The most common transportation packaging boxes require high production efficiency.
After printing is completed, the cardboard will enter the die-cutting machine. The die-cutting process use a specialized blade to accurately cut the outer contour, press out the folding line, and then open the shaking lid gap at once.

Step 3: Joining into boxes and leaving the factory
This is the last step about transforming flat cardboard into three-dimensional cardboard boxes.
According to the requirements, there are mainly two steps:
Nail box: using metal nails, with high connection strength and high speed.
Adhesive box: Using adhesive, the appearance is smoother and easier to recycle.
Functional design: For heavy-duty packaging, there are special designs such as "dovetail locks" that can quickly lock the bottom without tape or nails, making it very sturdy.
Quality inspection and packaging: The complete cardboard boxes will through quality inspection, and then will be automatically tied, stacked, and waiting for shipment.

Anyway, the production of corrugated cardboard boxes is a precision process that integrates materials science, mechanical manufacturing, and printing technology. By understanding these information, you can understand why a small cardboard box can support such heavy pressure and also showing us a beautiful brand image.