Picking the right case packing machine for a high-speed line means more than just moving quickly. The ideal case packer helps protect uptime, minimize changeover time, and makes sure your operation can adjust as packaging formats change.
Start with Speed Requirements
When looking at case packing solutions, first, think about how fast your line needs to run now and how that might change in the future. Many beverage and packaging lines today need to pack more than 20 cases per minute. Depending on the case size and setup, Hamrick systems can handle over 60 cases per minute.
As packaging formats change, those speed requirements increase in ways many legacy systems can’t support. Many manufacturers are moving from the usual 12-pack or 24-pack cases to 4-pack and 6-pack cases but still need to pack the same number of bottles or cans each minute. This shift brings new challenges that many older case packers weren’t built to manage.
Design Features That Enable High-Speed Performance
When running at higher speeds, the design of the machine matters a lot. Advanced case packers like Hamrick’s 600D-S all-servo model are built to handle the needs of today’s high-output lines.
One key feature is the tandem case lift, which lets the system pack two or three cases in each cycle. By handling more than one case at a time, tandem lifting boosts throughput while keeping control and placement accurate.
High-speed operations also benefit from key servo-driven features, including:
- Servo-controlled case lifts with dual heavy-duty rack-and-pinion gears for smooth, reliable vertical motion.
- Servo-controlled case infeed system utilizing a heavy-duty lugged chain
- Servo-controlled lane dividers capable of diverting bottles into lanes at speeds of up to 600 bottles per minute.
These servo systems give you better control, quicker response, and repeatable motion.
Reducing Bottlenecks and Improving Uptime
Packing smaller cases in tandem and running at higher case-per-minute rates helps high-speed machines like the 600D-S exceed the limitations of other packing machines. This leads to smoother line flow, fewer slowdowns, and less need for operators to step in to keep production on track.
High-speed performance is not only about output, but also about being able to adapt. Servo-driven automation makes it quicker and easier to switch between case sizes and formats, which helps cut downtime and supports short runs and frequent SKU changes.
Choosing the Right Case Packer
When choosing a case packing machine for a high-speed line, don’t just focus on the top speed. Think about how it handles smaller pack sizes, how many cases it can pack at once, and how servo-driven automation helps with precision, uptime, and flexibility. With the right design, your case packer will do more than keep up, it will improve your whole line’s performance.
Contact us today to discuss how a high-speed Hamrick case packer can enhance your line.