If you’re thinking of adding a box turner to your gluing line, you’re probably asking yourself:
“What are the different options on the market?”
“What are the pros and cons of each option?”
“And how do I choose the right box turner for my production?”
As a Mechanical Engineer and an Impack Packaging Expert, I have recommended, installed, and been involved in the testing of dozens of box turners in many countries around the world.
In my previous article “What is a Box Turner and Do I Really Need One?,” I talked about what is a box turner, its purpose, and who actually needs one.
And, in my other article “Comparing Impack Packaging's Box Turners: Which Is Best For Your Company?,” I compared Impack's 5 main box turners against one another so that you can know exactly which box turner is right for you.
Today, I will dive into Impack's IN1 Box Turner: What it is, its pros and cons, and who it is best suited for.
The simplest and most basic box turning technology that exists on the market is “Basic Tooling on a Folder-Gluer.”
This just means that operators would use guides and tools directly on the folder-gluer’s compression belt to turn boxes.
Impack's IN1 Box Turner was inspired by this idea of basic tooling.
Essentially, the IN1 Box Turner consists of guides and tools on a folder-gluer’s compression belt.
And it is installed directly on your folder-gluer’s compression belt, hence it is perfect for companies with limited space after their folder-gluer.
The simplest, most economical, and most compact box turner on the market.
Compatible with small to medium-sized boxes.
Installed directly on the folder-gluer’s delivery belt and does not take up any extra space.
Offers you 3 possible turning orientations: 90° to the left, 90° to the right, and straight through.
Most Compact: The IN1 Box Turner is the most compact box turner in the world. It requires zero footprint since it is installed on the existing delivery belt of your folder-gluer.
Ergonomic gains: Helps your operators avoid wrist rotation that is traditionally done in the manual packing process and reduces RSI.
Economical: The IN1 Box Turner is the least expensive box turner of all Impack Packaging's Box Turners.
The folder-gluer’s kicker count is lost, hence an auxiliary system such as Impack packaging's OBP must be used with an overhead UV light.
The IN1 Box Turner does not work for boxes that are almost square (requires a minimal L/W ratio of 1.5).
The IN1 Box Turner may have difficulties handling larger boxes even if the boxes are within the folder-gluer’s specifications.
Although the IN1 Box Turner’s setup is generally simple, it can be more challenging for some boxes.
No solution in the world is perfect for each and every company.
And at Impack packaging, we understand that.
The IN1 might be the perfect fit for you or it might be a total waste of money.
That’s just the reality.
Here is the answer you’ve been waiting for in under 50 seconds ⏱️:
You do not intend to invest in a Semi-Automatic packer or Fully-Automatic packer.
Marking boxes with an optical brightener is not an issue for your company.
You want to facilitate an easier packing process for your operators that are using manual packing stations by turning the boxes 90°.
Boosting your folder-gluer productivity and reaching higher packing speeds are not your top priorities.
Most of your boxes are small.
You have a tight budget and(or) limited space availability.
You intend to invest in a Semi-Automatic packer or Fully-Automatic packer.
Marking boxes with an optical brightener is an issue for your company.
Boosting your folder-gluer productivity and reaching higher packing speeds are your top priorities.
You are producing boxes that are larger than 254 mm in width or 305 mm in length.
You produce a large percentage of boxes that are not within the minimal L/W ratio of 1.5.
If you are considering Impack packaging's Ergosa packer, the premium to get Impack packaging's IN2 Box Turner integrated to your Ergosa packer is not expensive.
If you’re considering Impack's Ergosa C packer, the premium to get a stand-alone IN2 Box Turner is more expensive, but the overall performance will be better and the setups will become much easier.
🔍 Related: Learn more here about the specifications of Impack packaging's IN1 Box Turner.
Here's the truth: There is no easy, or single answer, for every company.
For some companies, Impack packaging's IN1 Box Turner is a perfect fit.
And for others, it might be the wrong fit or there might be better solutions out there.
It all depends on your needs, production, and budget.
The IN1 Box Turner will allow you to produce a shingle with your boxes turned 90° which would facilitate an easier packing process for your operators when using your manual packing stations.
That said, you will still have to pack your boxes manually when using the IN1 Box Turner and your packing process will not be automated whatsoever.
Hence, you will achieve limited productivity gains and packing speed gains.
In the next few sentences, I am going to give you all the info you need to be able to select the best box turner for your company.
First, you should know that choosing a box turner is not just about choosing the right product.
Choosing a box turner involves choosing the right box turning technology and the best fitting box turner product.
To select the best box turner for your company, follow these steps:
Start by comparing the different box turning technologies on the market by reading "The Top 6 Box Turning Technologies: Which Should You Choose?"
Next, compare Impack's 5 main box turners side-by-side in the article "Comparing Impack Packaging's Box Turners: Which Is Best For Your Company?"
Finally, find out which box turner is right for your company by reading "What Box Turner is Right For You?"
If you still have questions that you need answers for, feel free to 📲 get in touch! We’d love to help answer any questions you’ve got! Plus, we’ll show you our different box turner options LIVE in action 😉.