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.

Hide/Show Filters

Filter by Category

Filter by Topic

Filter by Type

Filter Resources

Spray bottles upright on conveyor and spray bottles upright inside case

Secondary Packaging 101

What Is Product Orientation in Secondary Packaging and Why Does It Matter?

Understand what product orientation is, how it impacts your equipment, and what decisions need to be considered when choosing your packaging equipment.

Bags of croutons on conveyor, arrow pointing down conveyor labeled DOT and arrow pointing across conveyor labeled AM

Secondary Packaging 101

What Is DOT and AM (Direction of Travel and Across Machine) and Why Do They Matter?

Learn the definitions of DOT and AM, how they affect your product and equipment, and what questions to ask before you spec a new machine.

Across Machine (AM) Direction of Travel (DOT)

Secondary Packaging 101

What Is an SAT in Packaging Equipment?

Learn how Site Acceptance Testing differs from FAT, what SAT is meant to verify onsite, and why real production conditions can change the outcome.

Site Acceptance Test (SAT)

Men Working on Tablet by Packaging Machine

Secondary Packaging 101

Why Startup Support Still Matters After FAT and SAT

Learn why startup support still matters after FAT and SAT and how it helps stabilize production, build team confidence, and improve line performance.

Commissioning Field Service Support

Secondary Packaging 101

What FAT Should Prove Before Your Machine Ships

Learn what a strong Factory Acceptance Test should validate before shipment, what FAT cannot prove, and how to use FAT to reduce downstream surprises.

Factory Acceptance Test (FAT)

Problems / Challenges, Secondary Packaging 101

What Causes Packaging Machine Jams? And Which Ones Are Avoidable?

See a practical breakdown of the most common jam causes and understand the best ways to approach them.

Jams Problems

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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

two operators lining up plastic bottles to test run in a machine

Secondary Packaging 101

What Does Douglas Make? An All-in-One Look at Our Secondary Packaging Line-up

We’re known for case packing and shrink wrapping – we do both, but that’s only a quarter of our line. Take a look at what we design and build, our markets, our sister company, and what we don’t make.

Cartoner Case Packing CPG Markets Douglas Machine INSITE Magazine Loading Sleever Tray Packing Variety Pack

LoadX robotic arm holding a stack of collapsed cases and moving them to magazine

Secondary Packaging 101

What Should I Look for in a Robotic Magazine Loader?

Learn what features define the work of good vs. bad robotic magazine loaders, how to find them, and the vendor that will deliver them – for the long-term development of your line.

Magazine Loading Purchasing Robotic Magazine Loading Vendor Selection

A side-by-side visual of hands loading corrugate into a magazine versus a robot near a corrugate stack

Comparisons

Manual vs. Robotic Magazine Loading: Which is Better?

Understand the difference between manual and robotic magazine loading, their strengths and weaknesses, and what operations they’re suited for. We’ll also help you align your expectations with market realities.

Ergonomics Labor Availability Loading Corrugate Blanks Manual Magazine Loading Robotic Magazine Loading

Beverage cans and paperboard cartons running through lanes on a multipacker machine

Cost & Price

Beverage Multipacker Cost: Pricing, Specifications, and Buying Considerations

Beverage multipackers have their own unique set of budgetary conditions. Learn how to scope pricing tiers, account for your SKUs, and prepare for vendor conversations.

Beverage Can Packaging Bottle Packaging Cartoner Cartons Multi-Serve Products

Boxed food products packed into cartons with automated equipment

Cost & Price

How Much Does a Cartoner Cost?

Cartoner price is based on many factors including type, product, and customization. Learn about the main cost tiers of cartoners, as well as what affects their price and lead-time.

Cartoner Cost Tiers Cartoner Price Cartoner Types Cartons

Side load case packer packing cartons of pizza into corrugate case

Cost & Price

How Much Does a Side Load Case Packer Cost?

Budgeting for a side load case packer all depends on what you want and how much you’re willing to pay for it. Learn about pricing tiers, cost drivers, add-ons, and value-adders, so you can take control of your buying process.

Budget Cost Factors Horizontal Load Value-Adders

1 2 3 4 … 12

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 Product Orientation in Secondary Packaging and Why Does It Matter?

What Is DOT and AM (Direction of Travel and Across Machine) and Why Do They Matter?

What Is an SAT in Packaging Equipment?

Why Startup Support Still Matters After FAT and SAT

What FAT Should Prove Before Your Machine Ships

What Causes Packaging Machine Jams? And Which Ones Are Avoidable?

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 Does Douglas Make? An All-in-One Look at Our Secondary Packaging Line-up

What Should I Look for in a Robotic Magazine Loader?

Manual vs. Robotic Magazine Loading: Which is Better?

Beverage Multipacker Cost: Pricing, Specifications, and Buying Considerations

How Much Does a Cartoner Cost?

How Much Does a Side Load Case Packer Cost?

Solutions

Support

About Us

Resources

Filter by Category

Filter by Topic

Filter by Type