- When the Coronavirus Pandemic Makes Packaging Automation Necessary - A few years ago, automation seemed nothing but a fancy idea for many business owners. Back then, it was just a backburner plan, to be considered only when demands were already very high. Things today have drastically changed, though. Workplace safety risks have escalated since the Coronavirus pandemic began. Far more are now convinced that automation may be necessary for subsistence if not human survival. Leaving some tasks to robots and other programmable machines will lessen occupational transmission while sustaining productivity. In manufacturing, one of the easiest areas to automate is the packaging line. In this blog, we shall discuss how that can be done. CONTENT What is Packaging Automation? What are the Benefits of an Automated Packaging Line? Which Tasks in the Packaging Area May Be Automated? What are some of the Caveats of Automating the Packaging Line? Is it Time for Me to Automate Now? What is Packaging Automation? Automation essentially involves the programming of tasks so they can be accomplished without human intervention. It is best used when the tasks are highly repetitive. Applying it to the packaging line delegates the repetitious functions to machines, enabling the system to produce neatly wrapped products reliably and fast. Packsize, Salt Lake City’s packaging equipment makers, shot this video to give us an idea of how a fully automated packaging line operates: Play Video What are the Benefits of an Automated Packaging Line? Establishments that automate some areas of production, especially the packaging line, gain some unique advantages. They may be yours too when you decide to do the same. The most important ones are the following: 1. Automation Improves Task Accuracy In our blog, Stretch Wrap 101: An Easily Digestible Buying Guide for Startups, we featured two videos showing different warehousing tasks. Suppose you were assigned to the stacking of heavy boxes all day. Fatigue will wear you down at some point, eventually affecting your ability to position the boxes correctly. If you don’t watch out, you might end up having an unstable pallet, which may cause boxes to fall and possibly injure you as well. Machines can stack those boxes accurately, even after hours of use. They also help reduce worker fatigue. 2. Accuracy Becomes Consistent Only a power outage or lack of maintenance can stop machines from working. Human-like fatigue does not affect their performance. Stacking boxes will be accurate and stable every time. When applied to stretch wrap use, machines can consistently make even pulls on the plastic, which humans cannot do. 3. Task Automation Optimizes Your Resources One of the factors causing stretch wrap waste is uneven stretching by human operators. Humans can stretch elastic film to 10-20% greater than its original size, whereas machines can consistently expand it to 200-300% of the original size. Unstretched regions make up wasted stretch wrap. Machine-wrapping can reduce them and help you extend your film rolls’ lifespan. The same goes for other packaging materials, such as product labels, containers, cushions, seals, etc. Automation can limit human errors in the use of these packaging materials. Bubble Cushioning Wrap36 feet/Roll with 20 Fragile Labels Size (inch) : 12″ x 36 ft Perforated : Yes AS LOW AS $14.95 4. Packaging Robots Maintain Labor & Productivity Machines can keep the same performance level as long as they are well-maintained and have enough energy supply. They do not tire out as humans do. Additionally, they are impervious to biological agents like the Coronavirus. So they do not need to be subjected to safety and health restrictions like humans are. Learn More: See all direct thermal labels in our store. Buy Cheap Dymo Shipping Labels at enKo Products! Order your Stretch Film online from enKo Products today! Choose enKo Products for all your bubble wrapping needs. Shop wholesale for more discounts on newsprint packing paper roll at enKo Products. Automation can keep your production lines running even when half of your workforce has to stay at home. 5. Automation Enhances Workforce Safety Less human presence amid heavy packages and hot machines will expose them to fewer hazards. Automating a continuous set of tasks can, therefore, ensure worker safety. 6. Robots and Other Machines Decrease Occupational Injuries Repetitive tasks like lifting, bending and stretching can lead to ergonomic injuries. Humans can unload these burdens to machines and robots, thus minimizing work-related illnesses. 7. Packaging Automation Can Increase Job Satisfaction Decreased burnout, increased efficiency and fewer injuries boost workers’ morale. This is how automation enhances job satisfaction. Packaging automation benefits both business owners and workers. With careful planning, it is possible to modernize and keep employees happy at the same time. Which Tasks in the Packaging Area May Be Automated? There are several tasks for packaging automation, and they include the following: 1. Package Feeding Line The accuracy and regularity of placing products in their packages are programmable. Workers only need to check occasionally for quality assurance and machine maintenance. 2. Package Folding This is one more job that is best left to machines because of its simplicity and repetitiveness. Automating this process will speed it up and reduce ergonomic hand injuries. 3. Sealing Sealing may involve metallic twists, heated plates, tape, stretch wrap, adhesives, capping equipment and many others. Some of these tools can injure workers. Meanwhile, the task is straightforward enough to be left to robots and even simpler devices. 4. Package Labeling Printing, peeling and attaching labels are also simple enough to be left to packaging machines. Product descriptions and barcodes may be accurately placed on the wrappings every time. enKo Products has a full line of labels compatible with standard industrial labelers to help small businesses ease into automation. Sheet Labels - Avery Compatible Labels Number of Sheet : 100/Pack Printer Technology : Deskjet and Laser Printers AS LOW AS $11.77/PACK 5. Case Packing Automation can speed up the task of putting several products inside bigger packages. From there, they can easily move to palletizing and warehousing. 6. Palletizing Unitizing several big packages before shipment is much easier with the help of stretch wrapping machines. As we pointed out earlier, it also reduces plastic wrap waste. 7. Warehousing Warehousing tasks include palletizing, horizontal and vertical package transfers, unwrapping and rewrapping, product cataloging, etc. Machines can handle most of these heavy tasks efficiently and keep workers injury-free. Amazon is one of America’s most successful businesses that started at home. Here’s a quick peek of the warehousing activities in one of their fulfillment centers: Play Video What are some of the Caveats of Automating the Packaging Line? 1. Steep Initial Costs Computerized machine systems and technical consultancy are expensive. Even the simplest automated packaging systems can cost thousands of dollars, making them suitable only for rapidly expanding companies. 2. Multiple Tasks Require Multiple Machines Robots and machines are not as flexible as humans. Each one can handle only a few tasks. Therefore, complete automation would require various equipment types, adding to the expenses. 3. High Maintenance Costs Maintenance is essential in prolonging a machine’s life. Both technical services and maintenance equipment are pricey. 4. Automation Can Make Some Tasks Obsolete Automation can make some human jobs redundant, as we’ve seen in our list of tasks for the packaging line. It might lead to worker displacement in some companies. Indeed, switching to automation needs careful consideration of the pros and cons. The next question is, how do you know if it’s already time for you to buy some robots? Is it Time for Me to Automate Now? Some may find this question easy to answer, but it may not be for others. However, when you’re truly making an effort to grow your business, who knows how far you can go? Remember, home-business-owner-turned-mega-billionaire Jeff Bezos also went through this same dilemma at some point. So when should you start giving automation some serious thought? Here are some suggestions: 1. When You Are Unable to Meet Consumer Demands Suppose you’re selling or supplying in a competitive business, e. g. food and electronics, the last thing you want to do is make your customers wait. Slow processing can drive some of them towards the competition. However, automation can give you back the edge and let you strengthen your customer base. 2. When Automation May Be More Cost-Effective than Increasing Human Tasks There are human jobs that even the most sophisticated robots cannot take over. However, relying solely on human power can also render you inefficient and unable to expand your market. Automation solves this problem by ensuring that you remain productive under any circumstances. Machines will eventually pay for themselves if consumer demands continue to be high. 3. When Worker Safety Is an Issue The Coronavirus pandemic has forced us to observe social distancing at work to reduce the likelihood of transmission. This, of course, impairs production, which adds to your business’ operational challenges. Meanwhile, machines are unaffected by disease, and they can continue to work with minimal human assistance. With automation, you can protect your workers and business at the same time. 4. When Waste Reduction Is a Priority Packaging involves a set of simple tasks, yet humans are prone to errors when repeating the same tasks, leading to waste. Waste accumulates faster when you’re already supplying hundreds of customers a day, and you may find it eating up much of your profit. Automation can help you minimize waste and boost your earnings faster. 5. When Manufacturing Multiple Product Types When your business is already at this level, you’ll find that the task changeovers between non-automated systems can slow down production. Going fully automatic significantly reduces changeover time, improving efficiency. If all these conditions apply to your business, it’s probably time for you to consider automation. As mentioned earlier, the packaging line is an area where you can easily integrate programmable systems because the tasks in it are repetitive yet fairly uncomplicated. Conclusion Automation is being touted today as a quick fix for many pandemic-induced industrial challenges. Packaging is one area where it might be readily adopted. Packaging automation is one adjustment you should consider to remain productive regardless of the Coronavirus onslaught. Buy enKo Products to Save More on Packaging Materials! enKo Products helps small businesses cope with the Coronavirus pandemic by supplying low-cost but top-quality packaging materials. We offer the following: Hand stretch wrap Shipping and packaging supplies Warehouse labels Sheet labels Direct thermal labels Dymo labels Brother labels Place your orders now and experience the difference in your budget! 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