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Powerful PandA
PandA (Print & Apply) systems allow distribution centers to send out products faster by minimizing operator handling and processing times within their facilities. Eliminating or minimizing operator ‘touches’ can improve a company’s throughput. PandA systems also benefit companies who have products that are time stamped, serialized, or require a variation in every label by processing those specifications through the label machine. A standard PandA system includes a label printer and applicator machine to create the bar-code label, conveyor for inducting, labeling and rerouting of the product, a verification scanner to read the printed label, and software to merge data and communicate with the host system. Additional automation can come in the form of carton case erectors and sealers, which build boxes ready for order fulfillment.
Various print & apply machines exist, each with different functions. Century can help source a system that fits your throughput, in-and-out feeding operations, and size limitations. We’ll implement it within your current warehouse setup, or integrate it as part of a larger automation installation.
Benefits
Print & Apply systems allow distribution centers to send out products faster by minimizing operator handling and processing times within their facilities. Eliminating or minimizing operator ‘touches’ can improve a company’s throughput. Print & Apply systems also benefit companies who have products that are time stamped, serialized, or require a variation in every label by processing those specifications through the label machine.
- One-stop print and apply line equipped with controls, electrical wiring, scanner, and printer.
- Plug and play ready to tie into an existing system or ready to stand alone.
- ConveyorWorks WCS that can tie into any WMS.
- 40 Cartons Per Minute (CPM) Max with two printers.
- 20 CPM max with one printer
- Increases throughput rates and label verification
- Real-time statistics with a log of cartons ran through the system
- Real-time error log and diagnostic system summaries including line activity, history, exceptions, summary stats, detailed stats, printer status, and settings.
- Verification Scan stats for Print and apply.
- Label Verification stats for print and apply.
- In-line scale & dimensions
Label Application
Affixing identifiable tags on packages is crucial to ensuring their deliverability. Scanners and sensors across the line depend on a readable tag for it to make it to its destination. Automatic label applicators affix shipping information containing barcodes, and apply colored stickers or scan tags.
There exists multiple systems depending on the identification process used and where the box must be marked. Applicators can roll-on, wipe over, corner wrap, air blow, and stamp labels.
The direction the box must be scanned and the intended throughput rate also plays a role in a solution selection.
Packing and Fulfillment Stations
Pack stations or tables are associate-operated fulfillment terminals, typically located in a goods-to-person environment positioned near a conveyor to transport orders to loading operations. While this is a manual process, all aspects of print and apply can be completed at a pack table. In an average setup. employees are provided filled orders from another conveyor or a fulfillment robot and check the order manifest, add protective void fill and any invoices, seal the package, affix shipping labels and any necessary tags, and then finally places the package on outfeeding equipment.
Pack stations can vary in design and scope based on fulfillment and product handling needs but are often viewed as a cost-effective option for those that can’t justify fully automated PandA solutions.
Void Fill (Dunnage) Dispensers
Packing material, void fill, or “dunnage”, provides a cushion of space to secure objects inside of it’s carton. Various forms of void fill are used, depending on the fragility of the item, and the size of the box that it’s in. Corrugate paper, bubble wrap, air-filled cushions, molded foam, and packing peanuts are a few of the popular options.
Regardless of the material being used, most packages require void fill. Solutions in this respect tend to vary. Typically, pack stations in a distribution facility will have a fill dispenser that workers pull from as they are fulfilling orders. These machines are fed from a material magazine and segment each portion of fill, depending on the type of void. Loose fill machines, like packing peanuts or shredded corrugate, can automatically fill packages by being positioned overhead and activating as boxes pass.
Although largely still a manual operation, the machines provide instant and portioned access to void fill for workers.
Carton Case Erector
Case erectors process a flat cardboard box and build it into a formed carton ready for packing. Typically, pre-perforated stacks of cardboard are fed into the machine, where each carton segment is measured and cut for a single box. A short conveyor or servo will take the boxes to a vacuum suction cup arm, moving the flat box over a cube (mandrel). Angled pressers and rods fold the box along each dimension, using the mandrel as a mold. The box is now formed, sealed with hot melt adhesive or tape, and sent along the system.
Case erectors are extremely efficient, typically only needing worker interaction to reload the cardboard magazine and fix any errors. It far exceeds manually creating boxes, with some specialty high-speed machines reaching up to 75 cases per minute.
Carton Case Sealer
Case sealers bind a box together, typically with a hot glue melt, but other adhesives such as tape are used as well. A box is sent through a sealing channel on a roller conveyor. Mechanical flaps and flanges fold the open section of the box to either be partially open or completely sealed (depending on if they are packed with items or not). The sides, top, and bottom of the channel have nozzles that adhere glue from a bead (or rollers for tape) to the fringes of the carton, sealing each dimension as it moves through the channel.
If a case erector is not being used, but boxes still need to be secured, a sealer can quickly apply adhesive automatically without interrupting the output flow of boxes. Manual application is inefficient as the worker needs to pick up or manipulate the box to properly seal it, leaving room for errors such as poor sealing causing packages to re-open, or fringe tape sticking to equipment or other boxes.
Take the first step for true efficiency
Send Century a message to start planning your next distribution facility automation optimization project. Provide any project details in your submission, and an Automation Expert will respond promptly with next steps on your request.
