Investing in a case erector can be a great way to make your business more productive and reduce overhead costs as well. However, if you’ve never been in the market for one, case erectors can be very intimidating pieces of machinery. But when you know what to look for and understand your needs, finding becomes much easier. In this article, we’re going to give you some of the main things you should be looking for when picking a case erector for your business.

Know Which Type of Cases You’ll be Needing

There are tons of different case erectors on the market, but once you start entering more unusual types of cases, the number of machines that can do the job starts to dwindle. If you’re using regular slotted cases, then you should be fine with most case erectors out there. But if you’re using half-slotted containers, full-overlap slotted or more unusual types of cases, you’ll have a much smaller selection to choose from.

You also have to factor in things like size when choosing a case erector. You’ll find more machines that can accommodate bigger cases than smaller ones. So, if the cases you use are under 6 to 7 inches in depth, width, and length, you might have a bit more difficulty finding a model for you.

How Fast Do You Need it to be?

Choosing the right case erector speed can be tricky. You don’t want to buy a fast, but an overpriced piece of machinery if you’re only going to use it for mid or low-speed operations. On the other hand, it’s always better to go with a machine that is slightly faster than what you actually need since you can always make a fast machine run slower, not the other way around.

Which Seal Type Will You be Using?

Know that most manufacturers will offer both glue and tape seal machines. However, both options do have their share of pros and cons and might work better for your business depending on your circumstances.

Glue erectors, for instance, tend to be more expensive than tape erectors and require more maintenance. They’re also much messier in comparison. On the other hand, tape erectors aren’t seen as efficient and tend to run out of tape much faster than glue erectors run out of glue, which will add to your operational costs. They also don’t handle higher speeds as well. So, it’s all about what your actual needs and priorities are and what is more beneficial for your bottom line.

How Long Do You Want it to Last?

How long you want to keep your machine up and running is another major factor you’ll have to consider. While most business owners would like to extend the life of their machine as much as they can, you’ll also have to be ready to pay more. In some cases, buying an entry-level machine might be more than enough for your immediate needs. And you could actually end up overpaying for a piece of machinery that may seem to last longer on paper, only to replace it way before the end of its expected lifespan.

Picking the right case erector for your business is all about understanding your packaging needs and narrowing down your options. Make sure that you work with a professional team that will be able to advise you on the best machine and finds a unit that will allow you to improve the efficiency of your packaging line.