Generating rules for the improved design of packaging machinery

To comply with EU packaging waste regulations, manufacturers of fast-moving consumer goods are required to use lighter-weight packaging materials. This has impacted upon the convertibility of pre-folded paperboard cartons and in many cases has had an adverse effect on production capabilities. There is a fundamental need to improve the design of packaging machinery through understanding the machine-material interactions. To address this issue a computer simulation of carton conversion has been created using finite element modelling software. The model is applied here to generate design rules for the position of key machine elements with respect to the carton. Such fundamental design knowledge cannot be generated through trial and error alone. There exists an increasing need to obtain this knowledge offline through computer simulations such as that reported here.