What is the Virtuo Packer & What Companies Is It Best Suited For? [+VIDEO]

If you’re looking to improve your folder-gluer’s productivity, increase your folder-gluer’s output, and reach higher packing speeds, you’re probably searching for an Automatic or Fully-Automatic packer.

Bobst’s Carton Pack 4, Heidelberg’s Diana Packer, KBA Duran's Omega Pack Automatic Packer, and Ace Machinery’s Sig-Pack, Graphic West Packaging Machinery LLC J-Pack or WSI Global ExpressPack are just some examples of the popular Automatic packers on the market.

At IMPACK, our Automatic folder-gluer packer is the Virtuo.

It happens to be the most versatile and compact Automatic packer in the world that can handle both carton and corrugated board, as well as, all types of cases.

“But, what’s the difference between the Virtuo packer and the other Automatic packers on the market?”

“How do they compare against one another?”

“And, how do I know whether IMPACK’s Virtuo is right for my company or not?”

This VIDEO + article will cover everything you need to know about IMPACK’s Virtuo packer: What it is, its pros and cons, the level of automation it offers, and what companies the Virtuo is a perfect fit for versus a wrong fit for.

This way you’ll be able to decide, on your own, whether the Virtuo packer makes sense for your company or not.

Let’s dive in, shall we?

What is the Virtuo Packer & What Companies is the Virtuo Best Suited For?

What is the Virtuo Packer?

IMPACK's Virtuo packer in action.

The Virtuo is IMPACK's Automatic folder-gluer packer that optimizes the efficiency of your case packing process and maximizes your folder-gluer’s productivity.

The Virtuo packer helps you achieve this by automating your case packing process so that your operators are only performing background tasks, such as feeding the packer with empty cases or managing full cases. 

The rest of the work is fully automated by IMPACK’s Virtuo packer.

The Virtuo’s design and original packing methodology make it one of the most compact and versatile Automatic packers in the world.

Capable of handling several box materials including folding carton, micro-flute, and corrugated board, the Virtuo packer is built to help you boost your folder-gluer’s productivity, reach higher packing speeds, and dominate your industry. 

It is important for you to know that the Virtuo packer can only pack one-row, one-layer into cases. For example, beverage boxes such as a 12-bottle pack or a 24-bottle pack.

And so, if your typical production is multi-row, multi-layer case packing like typical pharma or cosmetic boxes then IMPACK’s Virtuo is not the right fit for you.

Instead, IMPACK’s Semi-Automatic Ergosa packer would be a better fit.

Or, if you’re strictly looking for an Automatic packer capable of multi-row, multi-layer case packing then Bobst’s Carton Pack 4, Heidelberg’s Diana Packer, KBA Duran's Omega Pack Automatic Station, Ace Machinery’s Sig-Pack or Graphic West Packaging Machinery LLC J-Pack would be a better fit.

Those are just some examples of the most common multi-row, multi-layer Automatic case packers on the market. 

What is a Folder-Gluer Packer?

IMPACK’s Automatic packer: The Virtuo Packer - A high performance automatic packer, and one of the only packers on the market that can handle both carton and corrugated board.

A folder-gluer packer is a packing system that utilizes a modernized packing technology to allow you to dramatically improve the efficiency, ergonomy, and productivity of how you pack your boxes into cases by offering you automated case management capabilities. 

In other words, a packer optimizes your case packing process by automating certain actions involved in the case packing.

What Are the Benefits of a Folder-Gluer Packer?

A packer allows you to:

• Improve your folder-gluer’s productivity, increase your folder-gluer’s output, and reach higher packing speeds than ever before.

• Improve the ergonomics of your packing stations and reduce the workload on your operators and packing staff.

• Streamline your case ejection and manage your case handling through automated case management capabilities.

• Dedicate your packing staff to focus on the packing and not case flap closing, ejecting, or taping as all those actions become fully automated.

• Have easy access to your boxes in order to make adjustments, quality control checks, and corrections without interrupting your production. 

• And, as a result, dramatically boost your folder-gluer’s productivity, produce more cartons, and close bigger contracts.

How Automated is the Virtuo Packer?

The Virtuo packer is offered as an Automatic or a Fully-Automatic machine.

In its basic and most common product offering, the Virtuo is an Automatic packer.

Adding the Automatic Case Feeder (ACF) module to the Virtuo packer is what pushes the Virtuo’s scope of automation into the fully automated category, hence making the Virtuo a Fully-Automatic Packer offering a fully automated packing process.

IMPACK’s Fully-automatic packer: The Virtuo Packer + Automatic Case Feeder (ACF).

That is, the Virtuo + ACF combination will fully automate your case packing process so that your entire process is managed automatically without requiring the presence of an operator (or any other humans) while running. 

The operator is only ever involved during setups and adjustments. But once the machine is set up and running, the operator can move to higher value-added activities. 

IMPACK’s Virtuo + ACF combination is the most versatile 100% Fully-Automatic packer that exists on the market for both carton and corrugated boards.

🔍 Recommended: 

1. Curious to learn more about the Virtuo + ACF combination and the benefits it offers? Check out “How to Further Automate Your Virtuo Packer: Virtuo and ACF Combination"

2. Not sure whether your company needs an Automatic or a Fully-Automatic packer? Find out by reading “Automatic Vs. Fully-Automatic Packers: Which Should You Choose?”

What are the 3 Types of the Virtuo Packer?

We offer 3 different versions of the Virtuo packer for you to choose from: 

1. Virtuo Basic

2. Virtuo Intermediate

3. Virtuo Advanced

🔍 Recommended: Learn more here about the 3 different versions of the Virtuo packer and which version is best for your production, needs, and budget! (Coming Soon)

🚀 Quick Summary of the Virtuo Packer’s Features 

• A high-performance and versatile automatic packer and the most compact automatic packer on the market.

• Available in 2 options: Virtuo packer (Automatic packer) and Virtuo + ACF (Fully-Automatic packer). 

• Compatible with folding carton, micro-flute, and corrugated board.

• Compatible with all folder-gluer models.

• Runs medium to very large box formats.

• Offers one-row, one-layer case packing capabilities.

• Short setup time (<10 min).

• Speed: Up to 8 cases a minute.

• High-precision laser counter.

• Includes a case loader.

• Includes a touchscreen interface.

How to Decide on Whether the Virtuo Packer is Right For You:

“So, how do I know whether the Virtuo packer is right for our company?”

The truth is, no machine is right for every company out there.

And any packaging equipment supplier that tells you otherwise is focused on making a profit and not doing what’s in the best interest of your company.

At IMPACK, we never shy away from being blatantly honest about what our machines can do, what they cannot do, and when they are right fits versus when you’re better off going to a competitor.

This saves our clients money, helps them realize success, and builds trust with our company. It is a win-win for everyone even if they do not choose IMPACK.

So, here is the answer you’ve been searching for in less than 60 seconds ⏱️:

If your typical case packing configuration is multi-row, multi-layer packing then IMPACK’s Virtuo is not the right fit for you. 

However, if your typical case packing configuration is one-row, one-layer packing, then IMPACK’s Virtuo is the best fit for you, especially if you’re producing corrugated boxes.

I do not say this out of bias towards our packing systems but simply because those other multi-row, multi-layer automatic packers have a curved arch which makes them incompatible with corrugated boxes. 

The Virtuo packer has a distinctive ability to process these corrugated cartons without curving them — a feature that the other automatic packers cannot do.

The Virtuo Packer is the Perfect Fit For You IF 👇

• You’re exclusively doing case packing.

• Your typical production is one-row, one-layer packing.

• You produce similar types of box formats with longer production runs that do not need constant adjustments/modifications. 

• You want to automate or fully automate your case packing process.

• Increasing your production and reducing your staff are important to you.

• You produce a large proportion of medium to very large-sized boxes that need to be packed quickly. 

The Virtuo Packer is the Wrong Fit For You IF 👇

• You’re exclusively doing banding/strapping. Here, a stacker such as IMPACK’s Everio stacker would be a better option.

• You’re doing both case packing and banding/strapping. Here, a packing system that can do both processes, such as IMPACK’s Ergosa packer would be the best fit.

• Your typical production is multi-row, multi-layer case packing. Here, Bobst’s Carton Pack 4, Heidelberg’s Diana Packer, KBA Duran's Omega Pack Automatic Packer, or Ace Machinery’s Sig-Pack would be a better fit. 

• You produce a wide and diverse variety of box formats, small to medium boxes, shorter production runs or complex boxes that require constant adjustments. Here, IMPACK’s Ergosa packer would be the ideal option.

Your Next Steps

👉 If you’ve decided that the Virtuo packer is the right fit for you, here are your next steps:

1. First, discover whether you need to add an Automatic Case Feeder to fully automate your case packing process by reading: “What is the Automatic Case Feeder and Do I Really Need One?”

2. Next, get answers to most of your questions by checking out “The Top Frequently Asked Questions About IMPACK’s Virtuo Packer.” (Coming Soon).

3. Then, find out how much the Virtuo packer could cost you and what factors drive the cost up or down by reading “How Much Does a Folder-Gluer Packer Cost?”

4. And finally, learn “How Long Will It Take to Get Your Return From Investing in Packaging Equipment?”

👉 If you feel like the Virtuo packer is not the right fit for you, here are your next steps:

1. First, find out what level of automation your company needs by reading “What's the Difference between Manual, Semi-Auto, Auto & Fully-Auto Case Packers?”

2. Next, compare IMPACK’s 3 main machines to discover what machine is best for your production and budget.

3. Then, if you feel that IMPACK’s Ergosa packer might be a better option, read “What is the Ergosa Packer & How Can It Improve My Packing Process?”

4. Or, if you feel that IMPACK’s Everio stacker is the better option, check out “What is the Everio Stacker & How Can It Improve My Stacking Process?”

Got more Questions?

If you’ve got more questions that you want answers for, contact us today! 

IMPACK’s experts would love to help and maybe even show you our Virtuo packer LIVE on a video call!