Furniture packaging is the final stage of production and plays an essential role in formation customer’s impression of the product. Quality and convenience of the packaging affects not only aesthetic perception of the product, but also its security during transportation.
Most of the time manufacturers use standard packaging, which are purchased in bulk for further packaging of finished furniture pieces. Meanwhile, finished parts before being packed must be sorted manually according to particular orders, that significantly decelerates the process and increases risk of errors.
Automation of packaging process not only reduces labor input, minimizes errors and increases productivity, but also significantly reduces packaging process expenditures. That is why our automation department in conjunction with KDT Machinery partners invented a flexible solution for packaging process automation. Due to individual adjustment and ability of adaptation to specific production conditions we can pick up optimal equipment configuration for any production.
Completion after sorting
Specially designed conveyors for convenient after sorting packaging of workpieces, using additional materials for fixation and compaction of furniture parts. This unit may be scaled by increasing table quantity according to required production capacity.
Measurement of workpieces
After completion stocked sets are moved by power-driven conveyor to the measuring station. Its main function is identification of dimensions of required box for specific order packaging and transmission of the numbers to the box producing machine. Usage of such machines has two great advantages:
- Guaranteed receiving of the box, the size of which is suitable exactly for specific product regardless of workpieces quantity;
- Processing individual orders, producing packaging regardless of product dimensions.
We offer two models of measuring stations: small WG8M2 and large WG8M4. They both function in a similar way, but have different productivity levels and requirements for minimal sizes of workpieces. Specifications are listed below.
Measuring station WG8M2
Dimensions: 3500x1850 mm
Max. part size: 1200x2800x250 mm
Min. part size: 400x300x40 mm
Productivity: 2-3 boxes/min
Measuring station WG8M4
Dimensions: 6700x1850 mm
Max. part size: 1200x2800x250 mm
Min. part size: 250x250x36 mm
Productivity: 4-8 boxes/min
Box producing
The WG8C1-2400 produces boxes. It is possible to enter size numbers manually or automatically, receive data from the measuring station, and get pre-prepared processing programs according to production plan. It is suitable for mass production of identical products, as well as for individual production. Due to the built-in optimization program, waste quantity is reduced to 45%. The machine has two modifications first one operates with sheet cardboard with automatic feeding, and the other — with Z-cardboard with loading magazine, equipped with slots for 4-12 positions according to necessity.
Box and parts joining and simplification of boxes closing
After the measuring station there is a conveyor for joining finished boxes and stocked workpieces. For this task the conveyor consists of two parts for fast and accurate joining. After previous stage workpieces come to the conveyor for closing boxes. On this stage it is possible to install additional elements for fixation of the product in the box. Conveyors are equipped with special elements for boxes closing. Such system allows to close a box of any size quickly and easily.
Box and product joining conveyor WG803
Completion and box closing conveyor WG805
Box closing conveyor WG806
Box sealing
The box sealing station WG8V6 performs automatic sealing with productivity of 4-8 boxes/min. Due to patented technology, it reduces glue consumption to 85%, that significantly decreases packaging process costs. Data on the size and type are entered automatically or, when needed, manually.
Smart optimization system allows to start sealing the next box prior to the end of previous box operations.
Packed product in sealed box comes from sealing station WG8V6 to power-driven conveyor WG802. There boxes are being unloaded and sent to the stock. To simplify worker’s duties, it is possible to install two non-driven conveyors WG808 after the power-driven one.
Power-driven conveyor WG802
Non-driven conveyor WG808
Conclusion
Furniture packaging automation significantly increases manufacturing productivity, reduces materials and labor costs, and minimizes possibility of errors during measurement and packaging. Due to usage of modern measuring machines, conveyor systems and automatic sealing machines, the packaging process becomes more accurate, cost-effective and fast. Moreover, implementation of optimization programs to use resources and reduce waste more efficiently. All these factors contribute to competitiveness of furniture production, allowing companies to execute orders promptly and ensure high product quality.
