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Whether you’re looking for solutions to specific challenges or wanting to deepen your overall knowledge of secondary packaging, our Learning Center is designed to give you the resources to make confident decisions about your secondary packaging systems.

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Secondary Packaging 101

What is Machine Index and Pitch?

Understand machine index and pitch so you can read specs more accurately and ask better questions during the evaluation process.

Machine Index Machine Pitch

Comparisons, Secondary Packaging 101

Top Load vs Horizontal Load Case Packing: Which Should I Use?

Understand the differences between top load and horizontal load and which configuration is best suited for your operation.

Horizonal Load Case Packing Top Load Case Packing

Secondary Packaging 101

What Does Servo-Driven Mean and Why Do OEMs Use Them?

Learn the definition of a servo-driven machine and understand the pros and cons of using one in your operation.

Servo

Machine adjustment point with indicator displaying numbers

Secondary Packaging 101

What Is a Changeover? And What Makes One Fast or Slow?

Learn what impacts changeover speed and why “changeover time” makes a difference to your line’s efficiency and productivity.

Changeover Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

Plastic bottles on conveyor at fast speed

Secondary Packaging 101

What Does Line Speed Mean? And Why Is It So Often Misquoted?

Understand important speed metrics and learn which questions will tell you the most about machine performance and productivity.

Line Speed Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

Worker wearing hardhat and holding clipboard observing machine conveyor lines

Secondary Packaging 101

What Is a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) and Why Does It Matter?

Understand what a good FAT looks like so you can help protect your investment.

Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) Site Acceptance Test (SAT)

Operator running a packaging machine's HMI with a title overlay stating "Machine Efficiency ≠ OEE"

Secondary Packaging 101

A Commonly Misunderstood Metric – What Is Machine Efficiency?

Machine efficiency is one way of understanding how much capacity you’re using. Learn what machine efficiency is, how to calculate it, and how you can leverage it for growth.

Nameplate Speed Output Capacity Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

Secondary Packaging 101

What is Sanitary Design in Packaging Equipment — and Does It Matter for Your Application?

Learn the principles of sanitary packaging design and whether your application requires sanitary equipment.

Regulations Sanitary Design Washdown

Case and tray packed with aluminum cans on a gray background

Comparisons, Secondary Packaging 101

Case Packer vs Tray Packer: What’s the Difference?

Learn the essential difference between case and tray packers and when their format works best for your application.

Case Packing Secondary Packaging Tray Packing

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How-To, Secondary Packaging 101

How to Automate Variety Pack Production Without Overbuilding or Overpaying

Learn which type of automation is right for your production scale, space, and SKU needs—whether you’re packing beverages or assembling snack assortments.

Variety Pack

People talking in front of top load case packer

Cost & Price

How Much Does a Top Load Case Packer Cost?

Budgeting for a top load case packer is highly dependent on your product, your operation, and your expectations. Learn some price range estimates, major drivers, and questions you should answer before talking to vendors.

Case Packing

Douglas Service Technician working on machine

Problems / Challenges

How Quickly Can I Get a Service Technician to My Site?

Get realistic timelines for emergency and planned service, plus practical steps that can reduce delays by days.

Delays Field Service

Comparisons

Managing Replacement Parts for OEM Equipment: Choosing the Right Partner Model

Break down the real-world pros, cons, and risks of sourcing parts from OEMs, distributors, or directly from component manufacturers.

Aftermarket Replacement Parts

Comparisons

U.S.-Made vs. Imported OEM Packaging Equipment: Which Is Actually Better in the Long Run?

Get a side-by-side breakdown of what makes one operation more cost-effective than the other—in terms that refelct the realities of manufacturing operations.

Imported Made in the USA

Problems / Challenges

Packaging Automation Mistakes: How Poor Communication Leads to Delays, Reworks & Cost Overruns

Learn about the six most common ways communication gaps derail automation projects — and exactly what to provide your OEM upfront to avoid them.

Delays Project Coordination

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HORIZONTAL LOAD

TOP LOAD

SHRINK WRAPPERS

SHRINK PACKERS

MULTIWRAPPERS

CARTONERS

SLEEVERS

MULTIPACKERS

Learning Center

Whether you’re looking for solutions to specific challenges or wanting to deepen your overall knowledge of secondary packaging, our Learning Center is designed to give you the resources to make confident decisions about your secondary packaging systems.

Filter by Category

Filter by Topic

Filter by Type

What is Machine Index and Pitch?

Top Load vs Horizontal Load Case Packing: Which Should I Use?

What Does Servo-Driven Mean and Why Do OEMs Use Them?

What Is a Changeover? And What Makes One Fast or Slow?

What Does Line Speed Mean? And Why Is It So Often Misquoted?

What Is a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) and Why Does It Matter?

A Commonly Misunderstood Metric – What Is Machine Efficiency?

What is Sanitary Design in Packaging Equipment — and Does It Matter for Your Application?

Case Packer vs Tray Packer: What’s the Difference?

How to Automate Variety Pack Production Without Overbuilding or Overpaying

How Much Does a Top Load Case Packer Cost?

How Quickly Can I Get a Service Technician to My Site?

Managing Replacement Parts for OEM Equipment: Choosing the Right Partner Model

U.S.-Made vs. Imported OEM Packaging Equipment: Which Is Actually Better in the Long Run?

Packaging Automation Mistakes: How Poor Communication Leads to Delays, Reworks & Cost Overruns

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