Packaging sensor
measurement system, designed to provide enhanced protective
packaging technology, which it is previewing at the PackExp
International show in Chicago this week.
Ranpak has introduced the proprietary new AccuFill voidfill measurement system, designed to provide enhanced protective packaging technology, which it is previewing at the PackExpo International show in Chicago this week.
Ranpak claims that the measurement system improves the in- the-box packaging process by removing the variable of packer judgment from the equation. The AccuFill system automatically determines how much packing material is needed to fill a void in the top of a box and then generates the exact amount of material to fill that void. The operator helps insert the material but is not required to determine the amount of material.
The system uses a sensor array that mounts over a conveyor system. As boxes containing products to be shipped are conveyed down the line, the AccuFill sensors scan the inside of each box to determine its size, measure the volume of the objects inside the box and compute the amount of material needed to fill the void in the top of the box. The system then generates exactly the right amount of voidfill material, quickly and reliably.
"There are three variables in packaging: material cost, material usage and labour," said Dave Gabrielsen, president of Ranpak. "Research shows that packers often use more voidfill material than necessary, just to be safe. This is particularly true in random packing applications and when companies are using inexperienced temporary labour to do the packing.
"AccuFill controls the material usage by removing the decision-making from packers and returning it to management. We believe users can expect to see reductions in material usage of between 10 and 25 per cent."
The system can be integrated into an existing conveyor line and used with either of Ranpak's patented converter systems - the AutoPad or the new FillPak high-speed voidfill system. It can also be used to track voidfill material costs and productivity.
Ranpak is a manufacturer of paper-based in-the-box protective packaging systems and products, including PadPak and FillPak packaging systems. Ranpak's systems convert kraft paper into lightweight cushions for use in protecting almost any product that is shipped in a box. The company's corporate headquarters are in Ohio, US, with additional manufacturing facilities in Nevada and the Netherlands and a sales office in Singapore.
