In pharmaceutical production, packaging materials vary widely, including paperboard, laminated, and coated cartons, each with unique characteristics such as stiffness, surface smoothness, and friction. This variability presents a key challenge for manufacturers: how can a horizontal cartoning machine maintain stable sealing across diverse materials while meeting high-speed production demands? At Pharmapack, we recognize that inconsistent sealing not only affects production efficiency but also directly impacts product safety and regulatory compliance. Ensuring stable performance across multiple materials is therefore essential for reliable, continuous packaging operations.
Why Material Differences Affect Sealing
Different carton materials behave very differently during folding, forming, and closing. Lightweight paperboard folds easily but can be crushed if excessive pressure is applied, potentially leading to misaligned flaps or weakened seals. Laminated cartons, by contrast, are smooth and rigid, requiring precise handling to prevent slippage or incomplete sealing. Coated and multi-layer cartons add further complexity, with varying friction and folding resistance. Machines that cannot adapt to these differences risk frequent misfeeds, jammed cartons, or inconsistent seals, all of which disrupt production and compromise the integrity of pharmaceutical products.
Adaptive Servo Control for Consistent Handling
To solve these challenges, Pharmapack horizontal cartoning machines, including the LFBI-10 Intermittent Horizontal Cartoner, employ intelligent servo motion control systems rather than purely mechanical movement. Every motion on the line, from carton pickup to leaflet insertion and flap closing, dynamically adapts to the material being processed. Paperboard cartons require lighter suction and faster folding, whereas laminated or coated cartons benefit from stronger gripping and more controlled folding sequences. This precise automation eliminates the need for manual adjustments, prevents material-related errors, and ensures that production lines maintain high speed and accuracy even when switching between different carton types.
Intelligent Sealing for Stable Results
Sealing performance is critical and often the most affected by material variability. A fixed-pressure system cannot provide ideal seals for both soft and rigid cartons. The LFBI-10 incorporates a servo-driven sealing system with real-time pressure monitoring, automatically adjusting force to suit the material. This prevents soft cartons from being crushed while securing laminated cartons without slip or rebound. The closed-loop control also reduces vibration and dust generation, protecting sensitive pharmaceutical products and prolonging machine life. With this design, sealing stability is maintained continuously, even during high-speed operations or rapid material changes.
Reliable and Efficient Production
With over twenty years of experience in pharmaceutical packaging, Pharmapack ensures that our cartoner packaging machine and horizontal cartoning machines deliver consistent sealing performance, low maintenance requirements, and long-term operational stability across paperboard, laminated, and coated cartons. Our modular machine design supports multiple product types, including vials, blisters, and bottles, without compromising sealing integrity. Backed by global technical support and comprehensive service, our solutions allow manufacturers to build efficient, adaptable, and high-quality packaging lines that can handle diverse materials while meeting regulatory and production demands.