Autopack unveils modular semi-automatic bucket line for cost-effective packaging

THAILAND – Autopack, an independent integrator of packaging lines, has introduced a semi-automatic bucket line targeted at the food, household, pet food, chemical, pharmaceutical, and personal care sectors. 

This system removes the need for manual separation and orientation of empty buckets from stacks, allowing operators to focus on core tasks. 

By offering a lower upfront investment than full automation, estimated at around US$50,000 for basic configurations, the line provides an accessible entry into enhanced production workflows.

Wayne Kedward, Autopack’s managing director, explained that the setup enables users to assemble a customized line starting with essentials like a bucket de-nester, sealer, filling system, lid de-nester, and lid pressing roller. 

Additional components can be incorporated over time as production scales.

He noted the line typically centers on the selected filling method, such as liquid dosers, powder fillers, or various weighing systems, with manual handling at the infeed and outfeed stages.

“There are numerous advantages to full automation, but not every business shares the same requirements, so the semi-automatic approach often serves as a practical beginning,” Kedward stated. 

He described the system as an affordable, tailored option that supports initial automation efforts.

Key equipment in the standard configuration features a Lid Pressure Roller compatible with round, square, oval, and rectangular buckets up to 400mm in diameter. 

The roller includes a driven pressure drum adjustable from 40mm to 400mm via a handwheel with a height gauge. An input guide plate at the front and rear rollers ensure stability, preventing tip-overs during operation. 

The 1,000mm conveyor belt, powered by a drum motor and constructed from blue plastic modular links, facilitates smooth material flow.

Integrated weigh cells with specialized software regulate product delivery into buckets, optimizing both speed and precision. 

Filling can occur manually through push buttons or via the autoFill function, which activates upon detecting the proper container. 

The stand next to the column adjusts manually for alignment with dosing valves, while the 400x400mm weighing platform, set at about 800mm high, includes options like a central drain for liquids or a tray for powders.

Made from stainless steel 304, it withstands heavy industrial demands and cleans easily.

Jonathon Stewart, Autopack’s UK Sales Director, highlighted the system’s adaptability. 

He said it delivers flexibility alongside gains in speed and efficiency, which prove valuable for manufacturers facing economic pressures by cutting costs and minimizing waste.

In a related development, IWK Packaging Systems launched a recyclable cardboard blister machine for the North American market, shifting from traditional non-recyclable materials to cardboard alternatives in pharmaceutical and personal care packaging. 

According to industry observers, this move supports broader efforts to integrate sustainable materials into semi-automated lines like Autopack’s, potentially reducing lifecycle emissions by up to 30% in similar setups. 

Meanwhile, a global coalition introduced a certification for low-carbon glass packaging on the same date, targeting supply chains in the food and care sectors to track and lower carbon footprints through verified production methods.

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