Carton processing introduces digital technology

The ability to accidentally discover something of value can often play a role in the job. About four years ago, Inland Paper Company began a development: How can we supply the market with short-length, digitally printed corrugated boxes. At the same time, United Paper Machinery, based in Glen Arm, Maryland, is also working on a new project to help the corrugated products industry solve problems such as short-run printing, JIT (instant) delivery and inventory reduction.
Ms. Mary Kay Chilling, designer and new product manager of Inland's cardboard and packaging department, said that the two companies, without knowing each other, found digital printing equipment manufacturer Scitex to seek help. Soon after, Inland and United, both companies realized that their development goals were consistent with each other, they decided to join forces to carry out the project.
The cooperation between the two parties has yielded results. A new device, the Jet-Pac press, was jointly developed by the new website, PackageGenic.com, established by United and Inland.
In March 2002, Inland held an Open House event at its On-Demand digital printing facility in Addison, Texas. A total of more than 100 people, including four members of the AICC (self-operated corrugated fiber processors) stationed in the area, were present and watched the Jet-Pac equipment for demonstration production. This machine can provide printers with contactless printing (inkjet), digital generation and the ability to change the image during operation. According to Inland, the device is designed to print 60-inch thick flat-wat, die-cut, or open skylight boards at printing speeds of 300, 500, or 1000 feet per minute.
This machine is equipped with a pre-cutting unit to provide a thin layer of film to the paperboard to bind the ink and achieve waterproofing. Other features include integrated dro-on demand technology, vacuum-feed transfer technology for plate control, electronically-controlled inkjet head positioning systems, and instant ink-cured infrared (IR) dryers. Integrated drop-on-demand technology removes printing plates and films, does not cause problems such as cardboard collapse, dot expansion, and multicolor variable printing.
Short-run production is the main advantage of Jet-Pac. Ms. Chiring explained: “When we talk about short-lived work, we really focused our attention on the short-lived work. Each short-lived piece of equipment on this equipment at least reduced us the cost of 100 dollars, if someone only wanted to To make a carton, we really only make a carton. Replacement work can be completed within two and a half minutes."
United's president, Mr. Gray Radi family, also said that Inland has already ordered several Jet-Pac presses for its other processing plants.
He said: “We have seen a lot of interest in Jet-Pac, whether they are co-operators or independently-operated processors, but sales of Jet-Pac presses and sales of other equipment such as rotary die-cutting machines Differently, paper product processors are aware of the market potential brought by a new type of die-cutting equipment, but in contrast, Jet-Pac is faced with a brand-new market, and even a processor may not realize it yet. Market, so we must fully advertise and train potential customers."
The digital printing portal PackageGenie.com launched by Jet-Pac and Inland has made the scenes of the Addison factory very different. Before the launch of the Jet-Pac digital press last fall, this processing plant mainly produced carton boxes for inventory. The installation of the Jet-Pac press has brought value-added services to Inland. A signboard located above the factory gate signals to the public a huge shift in the on-demand digital printing production capacity of the Addison branch factory.
Inland, the PackageGenie.com website "allows customers to design their own cartons in a variety of ways, and within 48 hours the cartons will magically be delivered to them," Ms. Chiring explained, and customers can use their own designers or Directly go to the website to select the box size, add text, upload their company logo, locate the layout, display the entire layout on the screen or store it in your own private folder, and use it freely.
Ms. Kirin added: “Each carton can be different. Customers can make variable graphics or variable text, and print different addresses or postage on cardboard.”
She said: "This device will not only help you to carry out marketing activities in a broad area, but also can specifically reflect individuality for a single customer or a customer group." The audience participating in the exhibition activities are all personality in the opponents. The sample was very surprised. (USA) Jim Coley