Corrugated box making machines
From paper to the printed box: the corrugated board line and the K4 flexo carton machine.
Corrugated box production has two main stages: first the board is made from paper and adhesive, then the board is printed, creased and cut into the shape of the box. MECVORA supplies the machines for both stages.
You can start with the full line or with the box stage only, buying ready-made board sheets. Below are the machines, the production steps and what you need to get started.
The machines
Automatic Corrugated Line 3/5/7 Layers
High industrial speed, 3/5/7 layers, integrated glue preparation
| Type | Automatic 3/5/7-layer line |
| Layers | 3, 5 and 7 layers |
| Width | 1 400-2 500 mm |
| Speed | 150-250 m/min |
| Auxiliary systems | Compressed air, glue preparation |
K4 Semi-Auto Flexo Carton Machine
PLC with touch screen, job memory, 200 m/min
| Model | MEC-036 |
| Printing speed | 200 m/min |
| Machine speed | 180-300 pcs/min |
| Max size | 880×2000 – 1570×3200 mm |
| Control system | PLC with touch screen |
How a corrugated box is made
- 1
Corrugated board
The MEC-038 corrugated line flutes the paper, glues it with starch adhesive between the flat liners and produces 3, 5 or 7-ply board at 150–250 m/min. At the end of the line the board comes out cut into sheets.
- 2
Printing and slotting
The MEC-036 K4 flexo carton machine prints your logo and text on the sheet and makes the crease lines and the flap slots in a single pass, at up to 200 m/min.
- 3
Closing the box
The box is glued or stitched on the side flap and ships flat, in bundles, to the customer. For gluing and stitching equipment, write to us and we will suggest the right option.
Two ways to start
Boxes only, with bought-in board
You buy corrugated board sheets from a mill and convert them into boxes with the K4 flexo carton machine. The investment is lower and the space needed is smaller. A good fit for printing houses and workshops that want to offer printed boxes.
Full plant, from paper
With the corrugated line you make the board yourself and control its quality and cost. It makes sense at high volumes, when buying sheets costs more than producing your own.
What you need to start
- ✓Space: the corrugated line has working widths of 1,400–2,500 mm and needs a long hall. The K4 machine fits an ordinary workshop.
- ✓Utilities: the corrugated line uses steam, compressed air and a glue preparation station. The K4 needs only three-phase power and compressed air.
- ✓Raw material: kraft paper for the liners and fluting paper, plus starch for the adhesive, or ready-made board sheets if you start with the K4 only.
- ✓People: machine operators and one person to prepare orders and printing plates.
- ✓Customers: logistics companies, food producers, online shops and factories that ship their goods in boxes.
Frequently asked questions
What machines do I need to make corrugated boxes?
To make boxes from bought-in board you need a flexo carton machine that prints, creases and slots, such as the K4 MEC-036. To make the board as well, you also need a corrugated line such as the MEC-038.
What board can the MEC-038 line produce?
Corrugated board of 3, 5 and 7 plies, in working widths of 1,400–2,500 mm, at speeds of 150–250 m/min.
What sheet sizes does the K4 machine take?
Depending on the model, from 880 × 2,000 mm up to 1,570 × 3,200 mm. Printing speed reaches 200 m/min, that is 180–300 pieces per minute.
Can I print my company logo on the boxes?
Yes. The K4 prints flexographically on the board sheet, with plates made from your artwork, in the same pass as creasing and slotting.
How do I get a quote?
Press “Request a quote” on the machine you are interested in and tell us which boxes you want to produce and in what volume. We reply with the right configuration and the price.