As said above, blister cartoners are specialized for blister cartoning. However, this doesn’t mean that they are exclusively for application only in that industry.

You can use blister cartoners in many other industries, e.g., cosmetics, to easily pack your products. You can package a few products: vials, sachets, capsules, bottles, medical tools such as scalpels, etc.

The following:-

• A blister cartoning machine ensures that your product is easy to identify—the machine prints product overview information on the carton.
• Blister cartoning is relatively cheaper in the long run compared to its alternatives.

You stand to enjoy additional benefits too, e.g., simplified marketing and branding because of its printing capability.

• The blister cartoning machine packages products and seals the package in a tamper-proof way.

This means it will be effortless to know if the packaging has been interfered with.

• Blister cartoning protects the products from physical damage and therefore plays a part in maintaining the product’s original composition.

Choosing the wrong machine for your process may result in lowered production efficiency in the long run, which might hurt business.

You must therefore choose a blister cartoning machine appropriate to your process requirements.

Comparing the following parameters against your production requirements should guide your selection process.

Product You Intend To Package

The blister cartoning machine cannot package just any product.

Be sure to research whether a blister cartoning machine is really what you require.

There are also different types of blister cartoning machines out in the market currently. Be sure to check if they can handle expected production capacities as well.

Requisite Automation Degree For Your Process.

There are two types of blister cartoning machines, i.e., semi-automatic and automatic.

Each has both advantages and disadvantages over the other. Weigh these pros and cons against your process requirements to see which is best.

Production Capacities

Be sure to select a cartoning machine that can keep up with the speeds and quantities that your process yields.

The following parts and components make up a blister cartoning unit:-

• The Control panel allows you to set the unit to specific production modes.
• Electric motors and panels supply and regulate the power that runs the unit.
• A lubrication system ensures all moving parts are not corroded or damaged due to friction.

They do so by channeling grease and oil to the necessary areas.

• Carton tooling apparatus. This part is crucial in designing carton shapes and carton sizes. It works on command from the control panel.

parts of a blister cartoning machine

• Printers to print out product details and specifications onto the carton in a sufficiently dexterous manner.
• Transport components consist of conveyer belts, guide rails, and rollers.

The blister cartoning machine inserts blisters into cartons in the following distinct stages.

• The first stage is the configuration of the unit to desired specifications.

Next, the machine draws the cartons from storage into its folding station for folding. The cooling system is the most crucial component of this process step. It folds the

cartons into desired sizes and shapes.

• The next stage involves sealing the carton sides. This ensures that they are strong enough to house components.

The unit applies different glue to this process depending on the carton type.

• The blister cartoning machine will then convey these newly formed cartons to the fitting station.

Here, the machine fits the blisters into the cartons and then seals them shut.

• The final step is printing.

The difference between both units arises from their operating speeds and the level of human oversight required. Semi-automatic blister cartoning machines are relatively slow compared to fully automatic units.

semi automatic blister cartoner machine

You will enjoy the following benefits with semi-automatic blister cartoning machines:-

i. Low maintenance costs.

ii. Easy configuration with safety devices such as HMI hence keeping it from damage.

iii. Customizable builds. You can incorporate additional units such as hot stamping and embossing machines, tape sealing, etc.

iv. They do not require highly specialized labor to operate.

v. Capability to produce batches in large, small, and medium-sized quantities.

automatic blister cartoner

The main difference between the two arises in how fast they operate.

Continuous motion blister cartoning machines are up to one hundred and fifty times faster.

continuous motion blister cartoner

This means that they are easier to handle.

Intermittent motion cartoners are, on the other hand, relatively slow.

This is attributed to the fact that they have more cartoning stages than continuous motion cartoners.

However, just because they are slow does not mean they are inefficient. In fact, it means the exact opposite.

Intermittent motion cartoners are best for packaging products with more complex features.

intermittent motion blister cartoner

A vertical blister cartoner machine packages the blisters by introducing them into the fitting station in a vertical manner.

It presents the following advantages over its horizontal counterpart:-

i. Ease in cleaning and maintenance.

ii. The working station is easy to access.

iii. It is customizable.

Horizontal blister cartoner machines employ the use of stack blanks. Rather than vertically introducing products, they make use of lateral drawers.

They are continuous motion and automatic hence very high-speed units.

This is an advantage.

The units can also automatically insert a specific number of products into the cartons, be it blisters, bottles, soft tubes, etc.

Their most important features are:-

• Integration of electronics, electrical & mechanical components, and air into its design.
• Operates only when vacuum and compressor air reach set points.
• They have a servo drive mechanism that monitors the loading system.
• Without input, there isn’t any suction.

There are two types of horizontal blister cartoning machines, i.e., auto or manual loading horizontal blister cartoning machines.

You can use online blister cartoning machines online by matching them to an interlink system. This will allow you to package the products from the production line automatically. You do not have to store the products for later packaging.

Offline blister cartoning machines will require manual actuation and package products right from storage.

Tamper-proof capabilities imply one thing and one thing only, product safety.

The tamper-proof sealing lets you quickly tell when the carton seal has been broken. This goes a long way in ensuring consumer safety.

Even though they are specialized blister cartoning machines, it doesn’t mean they are exclusively meant for application in the pharmaceutical industry.

You can use blister cartoners in chemical, cosmetic, nutraceutical, food industries, and many more.

You can use them to package bottles, vials, pastries, biscuits, etc.

The first and most crucial step to maintenance is troubleshooting.

• Shut down your unit as soon as you notice a problem.

Get the fault fixed and then run a performance test on the replaced or repaired part before resuming production.

• Ensure sufficient pneumatic pressure within the entire unit before starting production to enable smooth production.
• Replace old suckers with new ones frequently.
• Conduct an overhaul on the whole unit and then place the vacuum system in the correct position.

This will come in handy when you experience problems arising from mispositioned vacuums.

• Replace sucker tubing or unclog sucker tubes in the event of a blockage or air leakage.
• Use a servo system to facilitate smooth production in the case of poor stability of the unit.

This problem usually arises when you operate the unit at a very high speed for extended periods.

• Clean the machine frequently.

For all your blister cartoning machine needs, contact us now.