Systems for providing efficient manufacturing of paper, sheet, and/or box products of varying size and structure, often with pre-applied print (“pre-print”), are provided herein. One or more controllers can be used to aggregate upcoming orders and information needed to complete the manufacturing process for the order. A controller enables a user to prepare control plans (e.g., reel maps, reel plans, etc.) for processing rolls of web product through the manufacturing process. Criteria filtering and/or various features enable generation of efficient and effective control plans for rolls of web product, including, in some cases, multiple orders. The control plan may include a set of instructions for operating one or more systems within the manufacturing process to form the desired finished paper-based product. In such a regard, efficient manufacturing of various paper-based products, including corrugated boxes, folded carton, labels, flexible paper, industrial bags, plates, cups, décor, and many others, can be achieved.

A system for monitoring cutting devices in a packaging production line having a line for supplying a material to be cut, an area of a predetermined type of cutting device, and a packaging output line is provided. The system includes means for counting cutting actions of the cutting device, configured to provide a time series of cutting action counting data, a video camera to frame an area of the output line, the video camera configured to provide video data of packaging elements in the output line, first code means, configured to run, on a computer, a first algorithm for recognizing cutting defects starting from video data, the first algorithm providing defect recognition data, and second code means, configured to run, on the computer, a trained expert algorithm to predict cutting performance degradation based on historical defect recognition data, time series of cutting action counting data, and type of cutting device.

A converting machine is used to convert sheet material into packaging templates for assembly into boxes or other packaging. The converting machine includes a converting assembly that performs transverse conversion functions and longitudinal conversion functions on the sheet material to create the packaging templates. A fanfold crease sensing mechanism detects the presence and location of fanfold creases in the sheet material. Based on the location of the fanfold creases, the fanfold creases are either cut out of the sheet material, or the sheet material is cut to adjust the position of the fanfold crease in a packaging template.

Techniques for corrugate and chipboard knocked-down case inspection and assembly are described herein. In one example, the disclosed techniques include a method to inspect and assemble a knocked-down case. In the example, a measurement of at least one aspect of the knocked-down case is obtained. A difference is determined between the obtained measurement and a standard measurement and/or a range of standard measurements. Programming of a case-handling tool is executed that is based at least in part on the determined difference. In an example, the programming is configured to adjust for and/or compensate for differences between the actual knocked-down case and a knocked-down case that is within a specification. A case-handling tool is operated responsive to the executed programming to at least partially erect the knocked-down case into an erected case.

A microfilter comprising a polymer layer formed from epoxy-based photo-definable dry film, and a plurality of apertures each extending through the polymer layer. A method of forming a microfilter is also disclosed. The method includes providing a first layer of epoxy-based photo-definable dry film disposed on a substrate, exposing the first layer to energy through a mask to form a pattern, defined by the mask, in the first layer of dry film, forming, from the exposed first layer of dry film, a polymer layer having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, the plurality of apertures having a distribution defined by the pattern, and removing the polymer layer from the substrate.

Systems for providing efficient manufacturing of sheet or box structures, corrugate sheets, or other products of varying size and structure often with pre-applied print (“pre-print”) are provided herein. The systems include various features and modules that enable automated control of the corrugator, including the knives, slitters, scorers and cut-to-mark detection system(s), are contemplated. Colored markings may be used to indicate an order change section between two order sections of a roll plan for the manufacturing process. The colored markings are detected as the corrugator runs and, once detected, a controller determines a next set of order instructions—e.g., to match the upcoming order. Thus, an order change may occur, thereby enabling automated control of the corrugator based on the new order instructions. Computer readable markings may enable checking of the actual position in the roll plan to an intended position, enabling stopping or changing of the corrugator operation if needed.

An improved mailer folding apparatus that forms mailers from mailer blanks. The mailer folding apparatus comprises a transport assembly and one or more folding assemblies. The transport assembly moves mailer blanks and/or mailers through the mailer folding apparatus. The one or more folding assemblies may each comprise a folding system and a carriage system. The folding system may selectively allow for the folding of a mailer blank into a mailer. A carriage of the carriage system may move the folding system longitudinally between different positions relative to the transport assembly. An engagement system separate from the carriage system or integrated into the carriage system may engage and disengage the folding system with the transport system for selectively feeding a mailer blank through the folding system, or disengage the folding system for allowing a mailer blank or folded mailer to bypass the folding system.

A measuring device for measuring a width (W) between a first edge (4) and a second edge (5) of spaced apart opposed edges (4, 5) of a slot (16) in a product (1′), comprising: a measuring part (18), with a measuring detector and a display (28), and provided with a first tab (37) configured to enter into the slot (16), and a slide (29), defining a longitudinal axis (X), being arranged so as to be adjustable relative to the measuring part (18) along the longitudinal axis (X), and provided with a second tab (46) being configured to enter into the slot (16).

The slide (29) is adjusted so that a first surface (44) of the first tab (37) contacts the first edge (4) and a second surface (49) of the second tab (46) contacts the second edge (5).

A distance (d) between the first surface (44) and the second surface (49) corresponding to the width (W) is detected by the measuring detector, and the value of the width (W) is displayed by the display (28).

The first and second tabs (37, 46) are oriented downwardly relative to the measuring part (18), perpendicular or transverse to the longitudinal axis (X) of the slide (29).

A slitter device includes an upper rotary shaft and a lower rotary shaft that are supported so as to be able to rotate. An upper slitter head that is supported by the upper rotary shaft so as to be able to rotate therewith. A lower slitter head that is supported by the lower rotary shaft so as to be able to rotate therewith and that is disposed on one side of the upper slitter head in the axial direction of the lower rotary shaft. An upper movement device that can move the upper slitter head in the axial direction of the upper rotary shaft. A lower movement device can move the lower slitter head in the axial direction of the lower rotary shaft. A control device that controls movement of the upper movement device and the lower movement device.

A carton blank feeding and shuttle machine includes a first driven belt supported by a first plurality of pulleys and a second driven belt supported by a second plurality of pulleys, a first rod attached to the first driven belt and a second rod attached to the second driven belt. Each of the rods extend across the first and second opposing sides. At least one controller controls motions of (a) the first driven belt and (b) the second driven belt, and a plucking head is supported by the first and second rods such that the first and second driven belts create common motion to move the plucking head along a transport path and relative motion to extend and retract the plucking head. A linkage assembly includes a plurality of links configured to move a plucking head along a shaft in response to movements of the first and second belts.