How to Decide Whether Investing in a Folder-Gluer Is Right for You or Not?

What is a Folder-Gluer Machine?

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A folder-gluer is a machine that takes a stream of flat open box material (called blanks) that has been produced by a die-cutter and transforms each box into a finished product by folding and gluing the boxes.

Put more simply, a folder-gluer is a machine that automates the folding and gluing of boxes in large quantities.  

Who Needs a Folder-Gluer?

Folder-gluers are most popular in industries like printing, packaging, and envelope manufacturing.  

Box manufacturers that want to mass produce folded and glued boxes in large quantities need a folder-gluer.

Folder-gluers can process a wide variety of box materials including folding carton, corrugated board, micro flute, and so much more.

Some examples of finished products that folder-gluers make include straight line boxes, 4-corners, 6-corners, crash-lock boxes, envelopes, and sleeves.

How Much Does a Folder-Gluer Cost?

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A folder-gluer costs anywhere between $150,000 to $1,000,000+ CAD* depending on the size of the folder-gluer machine, its level of automation, and its capabilities.  

The price of a folder-gluer is usually reflective of the technology involved in the folder-gluer model, the finishing details, the place of its production, and the brand name.

*Note: All illustrated costs are in Canadian dollars (CAD). 1 CAD = $0.79 USD. Click on XE.com to open the currency converter in a new tab that you can use as a reference while reading this article.

What Are the Most Common Folder-Gluers?

Some examples of well-known folder-gluers manufacturers include Bobst, Heidelberg, Koenig & Bauer, DGM, AIM / ACE Machinery, Bahmuller, Brausse, and Vega Group (in no particular order).

Most carton box and corrugated board manufacturers that come to us, here at Impack packaging, for solutions have one of the following folder-gluers:

AIM / ACE Signature Folder-Gluer

Bobst ExpertFold Folder-Gluer

Bahmuller Turbox Folder-Gluer

Brausse Eterna Folder-Gluer

DGM Smartfold Folder-Gluer

Heidelberg Diana Folder-Gluer

Koenig & Bauer Omega Folder-Gluer

Vega Folder-Gluer

Note: The above folder-gluer models are ranked in alphabetical order and are just some examples of common folder-gluers our clients report to have. There are several other known folder-gluer models on the market.

What Does the Folding Gluing Process Consist Of?

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To understand how the folding gluing process works, you need to know the flow of the folding gluing process.  

The folding gluing process consists of 5 main sections:

Feeding section

Pre-folding section

Folding section

Transfer section

Delivery section

First, the die-cut and creased box blanks are fed into the folder-gluer machine at the feeding section. The feeding section (or feeder) is located at the start of the flow of the folding gluing process.

This feeder feeds the die-cut and creased box blanks to the pre-folding section which essentially prepares the boxes to be folded.

Next, the folding section folds the box flaps and prepares them for the delivery section.

Guides and rotatory hooks are positioned in different areas in the flow of the folding gluing process to ensure that the box blanks are always positioned in the right place and folded correctly.

The transfer section then transfers the boxes to the delivery section or ejects the boxes if they have not been folded correctly or have other problems.  

Finally, the delivery section adds pressure to the stream of boxes to make sure that the adhesive sticks appropriately.

Most, if not all, folder-gluers require only one operator per folder-gluer.  

The operator will set up the folder-gluer machine and test it with the box format while fine-tuning all the working parts of the folder-gluer for approximately 2 hours before starting the real folder-gluer production.

Setting up the folder-gluer is the most important and most time-consuming task in the overall folding gluing process.

That said, once the machine is set up and running, the operator simply oversees the folder-gluer production and manages the case packing. In most cases though, another operator — often called a packing person — manages the case packing process.

The right folder gluer machine is a functional tool, a catalyst for innovation, and a cornerstone of market leadership. With thoughtful analysis and strategic foresight, you're on course to select a machine that fulfills your present requirements and empowers your vision for what lies ahead. Transform every package into a testament to your brand's commitment to quality and forward thinking.