Short answer: A typical end-of-line runs in this order: erect the case, pack products into it, seal it, stack cases on a pallet, stretch-wrap the pallet and move it to storage. Size each machine by cases per minute, not by products per minute.
The standard sequence
- Case erecting — NK650 automatic case erector & bottom sealer (15–30 cartons/min) or DK500 compact case erector (5–15).
- Case packing — ZX1300-2L two-axis robotic case packer, a two-axis pick-and-place unit.
- Case sealing — Carton tape sealer (automatic and adjustable).
- Palletizing — MD35F mobile collaborative palletizing robot, 35 kg payload, 8–12 picks per minute.
- Stretch wrapping — Turntable pallet stretch wrapping machine, loads up to 1,000 kg.
- Pallet transfer — AMR1500F laser-guided unmanned forklift, loads up to 1,500 kg.
Convert to cases per minute
If your filler runs 60 bottles per minute and you pack 12 per case, the end-of-line must handle 5 cases per minute. That number, plus a margin for catching up after stops, sizes the case erector, packer and sealer.
Retail-ready and secondary packs
Bottles that sell in individual boxes need a cartoner before the case packer, such as the Automatic bottle cartoning machine. Mailer boxes for e-commerce can be folded by the LG350 airplane box folding & erecting machine.
Space and safety
Leave room for pallet changes and operator access. Collaborative robots reduce guarding, but a risk assessment for your site is still required.
Questions and answers
Do I need to automate the whole end-of-line at once?
No. Many plants start with a case sealer and pallet wrapper, then add case erecting and packing as output grows.
