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.

The slitter-scorer machine includes a suction unit for removing trims cut by the cutting blades. The suction unit in turn includes a first pair of suction nozzles associated with a first set of cutting tools, and a second pair of suction nozzles, associated with a second set of cutting tools. The first pair of suction nozzles is adapted to suck trims generated by the first set of cutting tools and the second pair of suction nozzles is adapted to suck trims generated by the second set of cutting tools.

Apparatus and method of manufacturing open-mouth bags, comprising a storage device with a supply of bag film, a control device for controlling, a conveying device for conveying the bag film and/or the bag body along a conveying path, a welding device with welding means for making a bottom seam in the bag film and a cutting device with a cutting means for separating a predetermined film length of the bag film to form the bag body of an open-mouth bag. The control device controls the conveying device so as to cause a relative motion of the bag body and the bag film and a distance between the bag body and the bag film is generated prior to making the bottom seam. The control device controls the conveying device and the welding means so that while welding the bottom seam the welding means extend at least up to the bottom end of the bag body.

Apparatus and method of manufacturing open-mouth bags, comprising a storage device with a supply of bag film, a control device for controlling, a conveying device for conveying the bag film and/or the bag body along a conveying path, a welding device with welding means for making a bottom seam in the bag film and a cutting device with a cutting means for separating a predetermined film length of the bag film to form the bag body of an open-mouth bag. The control device controls the conveying device so as to cause a relative motion of the bag body and the bag film and a distance between the bag body and the bag film is generated prior to making the bottom seam. The control device controls the conveying device and the welding means so that while welding the bottom seam the welding means extend at least up to the bottom end of the bag body.

A printing platform includes a printing engine with one or more printheads arranged such that the ink drops are jetted vertically upwards against the action of gravity; and a substrate transportation system where the normal to the surface in contact with the substrate is parallel and with opposite direction to the travelling direction of the jetted ink drops. It is necessary to counteract the weight of the substrate during the printing process to avoid it from falling under the action of gravity. This is achieved through any of a mechanical element that interferes with the falling of the substrate and that keeps it in place; or a system that generates adhesion forces between the element that transmits the motion to the substrate, typically a conveyor belt, and the substrate through the action of electrostatic forces, an air pressure differential between both faces of the substrate, or any other suitable mechanism.

A box forming machine includes a converter assembly, a fold assembly, and an attachment assembly. The converter assembly converts sheet material into a box template. The fold assembly engages a first end of the box template and moves the first end of the box template to a predetermined position. The attachment assembly engages a second end of the box template and moves the second end of the box template toward and into engagement with the first end of the box template to attach the first and second ends of the box template together.

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 orders and information to prepare one or more control plans (e.g., reel maps, reel plans, etc.) for processing a roll of web product through the manufacturing process. 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. Further, efficient customer ordering/tracking, job aggregation, print imposition, corrugator planning, and tracking and adjustments throughout the manufacturing process are contemplated.

A rotary-tool mandrel for a unit for converting a flat substrate, on which a sleeve (13) is intended to be fitted, the mandrel includes a cylindrical core (14), a peripheral wall (17) that is able to take up a rest position and a locking position by exerting a radial pressure on the sleeve (13) in order to lock it in position on the mandrel (12), a pressure fluid circuit (21) provided between the peripheral wall (17) and the cylindrical core (14) for exerting the radial pressure on the sleeve (13), and a cooling fluid circuit (24) for allowing a fluid to flow in the region of the cylindrical core (14) and for cooling the mandrel (12).

A rotary-tool mandrel for a unit for converting a flat substrate, on which a sleeve (13) is intended to be fitted, the mandrel includes a cylindrical core (14), a peripheral wall (17) that is able to take up a rest position and a locking position by exerting a radial pressure on the sleeve (13) in order to lock it in position on the mandrel (12), a pressure fluid circuit (21) provided between the peripheral wall (17) and the cylindrical core (14) for exerting the radial pressure on the sleeve (13), and a cooling fluid circuit (24) for allowing a fluid to flow in the region of the cylindrical core (14) and for cooling the mandrel (12).

A method of making a preassembled display with automatic stackable supports (PDASS) is described. A PDASS may include two or more blanks (for example pieces of corrugated paperboard) that are joined together, for example to initially form a knocked down flat (KDF). The PDASS may include an insert formed from a single blank, where the single insert blank, when the whole display is erected, automatically erects and provides asymmetric supports that form at opposing corners of the outer blank.