The aim of a corrugated cardboard converter is to sell corrugated board packaging to his customers. He purchases his cardboard sheets from the corrugator and converts them to regular slotted cases (RSC) or more complex packaging.
Corrugated cardboard sheets.
The produced cardboard sheets may have different “fluting profiles“. To describe a profile, we often use a code made of the association of flute codes (in this order: from the outer flute to the inner flute):
- Single face. A flexible element, not a sheet.
- Double face. Examples: A, C or B.
- Double wall or “Double-double“. Examples: EB or BC.
- Triple wall. Examples: BAK, BCA.
According to the fluting profile and the different papers used, there are different “board grades“.
Thus, a cardboard sheet is made of a board grade, with a certain size (“width” and “length“) and possibly scoring along.
Corrugated board sheets
Manufacturing the packaging.
The corrugated boards successively get through a number of converting machines, in order to produce the packaging expected by the customer. The packaging can be simple, regular slotted cases (described in the FEFCO standard), complex, cut cases (CAO designs; required die-cuts) as well as POS made of several parts.
The different converting stages may include the following:
- The scoring machine: formatting or creasing.
- Printing: offset printing machine with coating units.
- Die-cutting: rotary cutting tool or flat-bed die-cutting machine.
- Folder-gluer: to fold and splice the boxes
- Strapping machine.
Corrugated cardboard case: a telescope box
Storage and logistics.
A good stock management by batch and location is an essential management component for the business of a converter. The logistics, allowing for better delivery rounds, is also a key factor.
Volume Software’s answer to the needs of corrugated board converters: VoluPack ERP.
VoluPack information system is specifically targeted at converters.