5 Tips for getting a fast and accurate case packer proposal

Equipment manufacturers will put significant time into evaluating your specific project and preparing a proposal.

It is important to provide enough information in order to minimize confusion, revisions and delays.  Here are Fertender’s top 5 tips on information that should be on hand early to ensure a timely and accurate proposal:

1. Provide product and case attributes - samples are best!

   Understanding your product, and the cases that they will be packed into, are critical to selecting the right case packing technology.  Early in the process, you will need to be provide the following information:

   
   

   • Case type (RSC/Wrap around)

   • Case dimensions

   • Product package type and dimensions.  This is critical to determining the product handling and loading requirements.

   • Case seal type - adhesive or glue?

   • Case artwork and/or label considerations

   
   

   Even with all of this information, it is always best to send samples if at all possible.

   
   

2. Provide accurate formats and rates

   Ensure all formats that are expected to run on this equipment are captured, with their corresponding sizes and rates.  Some considerations for compiling this information:

   
   

   • Provide a table with all formats, dimensions and rates

   • Provide pictures and/or diagrams to clearly show the product collation requirements

   • Are the rates provided current nominal rates, or expected capability?  Typically, some amount of overspeed is required.  Be clear on these expectations up front.

   • Are there any future considerations?  Check with your organization to see if there are other formats that may be in the pipeline, or if production may be shifted to this line with the purchase of new equipment.

     
     

3. Case packer layout considerations

   Specifying the space available early in the request will help the OEM find the right solution to suit your facility.  Be sure to indicate:

   
   

   • Any immovable objects

   • Intentions for traffic and material flow

   • Left or right hand machine?  What side of the production line will your operators be on most frequently?

   
   

   The best way to ensure accuracy is to provide a clear, dimensioned drawing and/or CAD file depicting the space available, and the surrounding constraints.

   
   

4. Product infeed & discharge requirements

   Although it may seem minor, the infeed and discharge requirements of your product may significantly impact the design of the machine. Be sure to spell out specifically:

   • The orientation of the product at the infeed

   • Is the orientation reliable? i.e., is it possible to have a turned carton that needs to be rejected?

   • Is the product presented to the casepacker in a continuous flow, or slugs?

   • What is the pitch between product?

   • Is the pitch reliable?

   • Can the product accumulate?

   • Is what orientation should the cases discharge?

   • Are there case labelling or code dating considerations?

     
     

5. Terms & Conditions

   There's nothing more frustrating then working hard with the equipment builder's engineering team to find a fantastic solution, only to be faced with delays reviewing either technical standards or commercial conditions after the fact. If your organization has specific standards, either technical or commercial; it's best to share these up front so these can be considered as part of the initial proposal. Some items to consider:

   • Are there specific codes and standards that needs to be followed? Sometimes these can be regional codes that the vendor may not be aware of.

   • Does your organization have company standards that need to be adhered to? These could be items such as:

     • Electrical design or labelling requirements

     • Safety circuit standards

     • Programming requirements, such as PackML

     • Standard components

     • Clean design standards

   • Does your organization have certain contract requirements or payment structures?

Summary

Having this information available to share with the equipment builders will significantly improve the experience for everyone, and greatly improve your odds of receiving a timely and accurate proposal.