Intertape Polymer Group in collaboration with IMA, world leader in the design and manufacture of automatic machines, introduced the “Pack Station of the Future” at Pack Expo International 2022 in Chicago, IL on the 23rd of October, South Hall Booth S-2814.
“Over the next decade, in all geographic regions, e-commerce sales continue to grow as a percentage of overall retail sales. Advanced packaging automation will be necessary to help e-tailers improve both throughput and their cost position as labor markets remain tight,” said Zach Kissel, VP Global E-Fulfillment with IPG.
Kissel continued: “The introduction of the E-CO Flex1 would allow for multiple pack stations to be combined into one without losing throughput and utilising much less real estate than the multiple pack station model being used today.”
The E-CO Flex1 is designed to streamline the packaging process in e-fulfillment and it is capable of selecting the closest box size match to the product being packaged connecting to the customer’s WMS system. The machine erects and tapes the bottom of the shipping container with IPG’s recyclable water activated tape.
At the same time, the E-CO Flex1 applies any identification sticker to the carton. From there, the E-CO Flex1 presents the associate with a pre-assembled box, the associate then inserts the shippable items and secures them with a prescribed amount of dunnage. The associate reinserts the open faced box back into the machine where the remaining void is measured. If the algorithm determines that the space can be optimised, a series of knives adjust the size of the box to deliver the optimal dimensions of the shipment. The box is then closed, sealed and ushered to the customer’s conveyance.
“IMA has had a long history in the design, development and production of some of the most sophisticated packaging solutions to industry. Working with IPG, IMA has combined IPG’s proprietary water-activated tape sealing mechanism to deliver one of the most ergonomic and sustainable packaging solutions to the e-fulfillment industry,” said Dario Rea, Director of Research & Innovation with IMA. “The E-Co Flex1 will allow some of the larger e-commerce customers to consolidate several pack stations into a single ‘Pack Station of the Future’, increasing packer efficiency and operational capacity.”
