How is Machine Automation Reshaping the Packaging Sector?
- Published: January 06, 2025
By Salman Shahid, CEO, OXO Packaging
Machine automation in the packaging sector refers to producing quality containers with efficiency and agility. Apropos of machines, key considerations are boosting speed and lowering human errors. Using automation, many packaging companies achieved a great return on investment (ROI) which indicates its worth application.
Besides packaging, printing and labeling, these automation systems refer to a complete package that streamlines your overall management system. But how? Here we discuss how machine learning and automation reshape the packaging sector with sales-driven results.
Role of Robotics Packaging
The installation of industrial robots has reached new heights that capture the benefits of automation in the packaging sector. According to the research, the sales of robotic packaging machines increased at 4.2 percent CAGR during 2020-22.1
Understanding how rapid development in robotics leads to transformation and innovation is key to making the packaging process more agile. Robots handle repetitive tasks with more precision and reduce the human error rate. With the help of robotics automation, you can reduce product contamination by minimizing human intervention.
Incorporating technologies like Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics helps you to drive productivity and reduce overall costs. Yet, overall machine automation is significantly improved across the packaging industries.
4 Benefits of Automation that Boost the Packaging Process
Automation machines use various programs that integrate to simplify the process of manufacturing. These days, in the packaging industry, many use automation machines to streamline the workflow with efficiency as manual requires a large workforce and time.
The models of ML and AI play a significant role in embedding software by reading and analyzing data. Overall, the use of a packaging automation system refers to saving time, improving productivity with quality, and reducing cost or human error. Here are in-depth benefits of automation that boost your packaging process:
- Improve Quality Control
In the current economy, manufacturers need to work on their packaging effectively to stay in the competitive market. Employing robotics and automated machines creates a complex design with high precision and makes your product stand out.
Coupled with robotics, packaging automation has made strides in correctly labeling the product to reduce errors. For example, the food or pharmaceutical industry cannot comprise missing information like expiry dates. Embed software detects errors efficiently so they can be fixed in time. Get advantages from the PAS for improving quality control and avoiding shipment with damaged and incorrectly labeled packages.
- Inventory Control
Streamlining the inventory control system can be a daunting and time-consuming task for companies to maintain the supply chain process. So, time to begin the tedious process of taking your inventory management to the next level with automation.
Use the perpetual automation inventory system (PIS) to eliminate the hefty and time consumption tasks. The PIS is a program that updates your stock level and tracks your merchandise. Monitoring the operations, deliveries, space and stocks, helps you update your inventory account.
The inventory software gathers the data such as shipping, stock and more at one place and allows you to monitor the stock movement to control the cost and other operations on time. For example, a pillow packaging automation machine streamlines your inventory management system by ensuring accurate packaging.
- Preventive Maintenance
In manual packaging, machines for sizes, DIM weight, labeling, printing and more can jam or cause other technical problems. To avoid such issues, automation machines with embedded sensors alert you of malfunction, anomalies, overheating and voltage measurements to prevent unexpected equipment failure.
Get the ultimate advantage of the packaging automation system to diagnose and schedule preventive maintenance to reduce downtime. With revolutionary technology like loT, Al and ML you can enable proactive maintenance strategies to enhance the overall packaging operations.
- Supply Chain Optimization
The automated packaging machines used ML-generated predictive programs to predict demand by using data. Also, ML assists you in selecting suppliers, delivery routes and other operations to optimize the supply chain process.
Automating the SCM entails deploying various technologies like robotics, ML, loT or Al to enhance the efficiency in productivity speed and allow you to manage the operations.
This strategic investment in the automation system enhances your production capabilities with minimum standard error and provides a quality packaging solution to your potential customers.
Automation Takes the Lead With Caution
Although machine automation comes with various benefits to your production, sail your packaging ship with caution to mitigate the level of associated risk. Here are a few negative traits of automation packaging that you should know to avoid loss in the future:
- Navigating the Shadows
Some manufacturers find it beneficial to use automation machines at the best productivity level. But this results in reducing the workforce. Choose and replace your labor to some extent because the complexity of the program needs professionals to deal with.
In contrast, job displacement is an ethical concern in widespread automation machines. To avoid it at its best, you should introduce a training and development program to lower the yield of job displacement and improve the skill set among your employees.
- Cost of Changing Design
Advancement in technology requires a lot of critical skill to implement minor changes for smooth production. Imagine a little mistake in the program and your whole packaging process slowing down resulting in a lot of costs. Isn't it frustrating? Hire extensive skilled people who troubleshoot the process for precision packaging solutions.
From manual to automation, machines turn the complexity of packaging into efficiency and reduce overall time consumption. These automated machines not only efficiently print, label and size, but also help you streamline the overall operations for your business growth. Using automation, you can manufacture superior-quality containers.
1 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/robotic-packaging-machines-market
2 https://oxopackaging.com/pillow-boxes.html
About the Author
Salman Shahid is the CEO of OXO Packaging, a custom packaging company with operations in the U.S., U.K. and Australia. His exceptional business development skills have helped many expand multiple brands and turn them into successful enterprises. As a BD and Marketing thought leader, his mission is to help others build successful businesses without having to go through challenges and turmoils.