A carton erector takes flat blanks, forms the case and seals the bottom. A case packer then loads product into it. Both remove manual handling that is rarely measured, which is why end-of-line automation often has a shorter payback than the equipment upstream.
The labour nobody counts
Forming a case by hand takes seconds, and those seconds are spread across the shift so they never appear as a line stoppage. Multiply by cases per day and the number becomes significant. The same applies to hand-packing: it is not a bottleneck until volume rises, and then it becomes the constraint suddenly.
What each machine does
| Machine | Function | Typically justified by |
|---|---|---|
| Carton erector | Forms case from blank, seals bottom | Case volume per shift |
| Case packer | Loads product into the formed case | Handling cost and pack consistency |
| Carton sealer | Closes and tapes the top | Almost always, at any volume |
| Strapping unit | Secures the closed case | Transit damage requirements |
Buy the sealer first
If you are automating end of line in stages, the top sealer is almost always the first step: it is the cheapest, it removes the most repetitive task, and it works regardless of how the case was filled. Erectors and packers make sense once case volume is steady enough to keep them busy.
Across the 25 automation equipment series and 12 case sealing series we list, erectors, encasing machines, bag placers, conveyors and sealing-and-strapping lines are published individually so a line can be assembled in stages.
See the automation equipment range and the case sealing range.
Figures in this article are drawn from the 137 machine series SilverSeal currently supplies, not from generic industry averages. Specifications vary by model — check the individual series page before specifying.
Frequently asked questions
Does a case packer need a fixed carton size?
It needs a defined size range. Multi-format packers exist but changeover time rises with the range they must cover.
Can I add an erector to an existing line later?
Yes, provided there is floor length before the packing station and the case sizes are within the erector's range.
What is the usual first step in end-of-line automation?
The carton sealer. It is the lowest cost, removes a highly repetitive task and does not depend on how the case was filled.
