Packaging automation systems

From automated carton erecting machines and case packers, to feeding systems and labellers, product packaging machines require multiple key components to create packaging automation solutions or automated packaging systems which boosts the production rate and quality of your operation.

Packaging is a paramount process in any manufacturing line. Across all sectors, packaging is needed to enclose products with wrapping, cases, and cartons. This will ensure items are protected, do not perish, and are ready for retail. For higher levels of speed, accuracy, and safety, automated packaging systems are best for business.

Key product packaging types

Across a production line, there are three stages which require automated packaging machines to improve speed, efficiency, and quality:

Primary packaging

Primary packaging is the wrapper, tray, or carton which is in direct contact with the product itself. The main purpose of this packaging is to preserve and protect the product, as well as contain information for the consumers, such as the sell-by date and ingredients.

Secondary packaging

A secondary packaging machine encloses all secondary-packaged products into a secondary container, such as plastic wrapping or a cardboard carton. This packaging can ensure products are contained within retail-ready packaging (RRP), shelf-ready packaging (SRP), or counter-top display units (CDUs).

Transit packaging 

Often referred to as tertiary packaging, this stage of the packaging line sees secondary-packed containers placed within larger containers, such as cardboard boxes, before being loaded onto pallets for distribution. This is the final stage of a manufacturer’s packaging process.

Efficient and effective packaging automation systems by Sewtec Automation

Our specialist team of industrial automation integrators and in-house software engineers are highly skilled in designing and installing product testing, inspection, and verification systems to achieve the highest possible quality of a finished product.

We’re your consultant when it comes to getting the right automated packaging solution for your requirements. We design and build all of our packaging systems to meet the needs of the customer, whether it’s creating a machine to operate on limited floor space or a requirement to meet a high demand for throughput.

Our in-house knowledge and capabilities allow us to create high-speed automated packaging machines, offering accuracy, quality, and safety as standard. We invent solutions to enhance the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) of your packaging lines to increase efficiency and improve output.

High-quality elements to create automated packaging systems

Our packaging automation solutions comprise integral components and modules to meet the exact requirements of our customers.

Collation systems

Our high-speed collation systems are designed to gather individually packaged products together to enable them to be moved and placed within the necessary packaging case, carton, or container.

Feeding systems

Our feeder systems move your products into the solution which applies the packaging and out to the next stage.

Carton erectors

Our automated carton erecting machine takes a flat carton and assembles it ready for products to be packed inside. We design modules which are able to handle cartons of varying shapes and sizes.

Carton loading (Top and End Load)

We manufacture automated packaging equipment to process both top and end load carton loading. Our robotic top loading systems will pick and place products into carton packaging until filled, whilst our end loading systems pick and place the products into funnels, then package them.

Carton closers

To safely secure your product within its packaging, our carton closers offer high-quality sealing to ensure any product or packaging maintains high standards of quality.

Case erectors

Our high-speed automated case erecting machines enhance efficiencies within your packaging line at the primary, secondary and transit stages.

Case packers

Our automated case loading machines make sure your products are placed within case packaging in a time efficient manner.

Case closers

We incorporate case closing modules with the functionality to seal packaging using tape, glue and Amazon Hybrid methods.

Custom Robot loaders (2, 3 & 4 axis systems)

To ensure the automated packaging machine is flexible enough to suit your production line, we use customised robot loaders ranging in axis systems to undertake packing and placing tasks.

Multi orientation packing formats

Our automated packaging systems can be built to suit the orientation of your desired packing format and your manufacturing process.

Manual & Auto changeover (recipe driven) system

We offer the option of reconfiguring our machines either manually or automatically, with the option of pre-setting configurations via a Human Machine Interface (HMI).

Palletising

When a product has been enclosed within its transit packaging, it needs to be prepared for distribution. Our robust and reliant palletising systems efficiently move products onto pallets ready to be shipped.

Depalletising

Our automated depalletising systems remove cartons or cases from pallets and place them onto conveyors to be moved elsewhere within the packaging process.

Labelling systems

Labelling products and packaging is an integral part of the manufacturing process. We design modules which allow for labels to be placed on packaging at all stages of the supply chain.

Code marking and identification

To track products through the packaging process and supply chain, our solutions can mark your packaging with coding. This enables ease of traceability and identification.

Code marking and aggregation

We group coded products together to ensure high levels of traceability for your packaging across the supply chain.

Our experience in inventing packaging automation solutions

At Sewtec Automation, our in-house capabilities and experience in creating turnkey packaging automation systems means we’re the perfect partner for your next project.

Find out more about projects we’ve completed by reading this case study on how a secondary packaging machine can increase efficiency.