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.
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Cartons of tea in packaging machine

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.

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Top Load vs. Horizontal Load Case Packing

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.

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Servo on a machine

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Overwrapper equipment packaging food cups in a drop-through paperboard sleeve

Cost & Price

How Much Does an Overwrapper Cost? Budgetary Ranges and Cost Drivers

Paperboard overwrappers are usually pretty custom pieces of equipment, and they can range from $350k to $2M, depending on how elaborate the system. We’ll highlight budgetary estimates and walk you through what drives prices up.

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PLC (Programmable Logic Controller)

Secondary Packaging 101

What is a PLC? Understanding the Logic Controller Behind Your Packaging System

Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are key players in almost all packaging equipment. Learn what they are, how they work, and how they affect your packaging line.

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Variety of Flavors of Beverages on a Variety Pack conveyor line

Cost & Price

How Much Does a Variety Pack System Cost?

Budgeting for a variety pack system is much harder than you might assume. We’ll walk you through what makes it tricky, how it’s priced, which factors to decide, and what to do next.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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