Frequently Asked Questions

General & Machine Integration FAQs

Q: Can ABOX equipment be integrated into existing packaging lines?

• Answer: Yes. Our machines, such as the PD-Eco, PD2XL and CFX, are designed with a compact 24-inch footprint and flexible mounting options specifically to retrofit into tight spaces on existing bottling, bagging, or over-wrapping lines.

 

Q: What PLC control systems does ABOX machines use?

• Answer: We offer standard control packages using Panasonic or Allen-Bradley PLCs. All systems include a multi-color touch screen HMI for easy operation and are available with Ethernet connectivity for master control system integration.

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Q: Do you offer custom engineering to adapt to my specific needs?

• Answer: Yes.  We regularly design systems that uniquely conform to our customers specific needs.  All engineering is done in house which allows us to quickly formulate solutions that are tailored to your exact requirements.  

 

Q: Are engineering drawings and solid models available of your products?

• Answer: Yes.  All of our equipment is designed in 3D cad software which allows us to easily integrate our equipment into your 3D cad designs.  

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Q: Where are your parts manufactured?

• Answer: Most of our components are machined locally at our facility.  This allows us to quickly modify components to help fit a specific need.  We are proud to be "Made in America"

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Q: How much air (CFM) do your machines use?

• Answer: This varies between different types of equipment and is based on output cycle rates.  However, our pouch and cotton inserters typically use less then 1 cfm

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Q: Do you have outside representation?

• Answer: Yes.  We have an extensive list of outside sales reps who are available to assess you application

 

Q: Do you work with integrators?

• Answer: Yes.  We regularly work with machine integrators throughout the world to provide the best possible solution and ensure a seamless installation.   

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Q: How does your equipment communicate with other equipment?

• Answer: Our machines can communicate using simple I/O connections, or via more advanced channels using ethernet connections.

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Q: Does ABOX offer remote service assistance?

• Answer: Yes.  We use all forms of available technologies to help assist clients worldwide such as video calls, remote connection, or via a service laptop that is loaded with all the necessary software to communicate with your equipment.  

 

Q: Does ABOX offer Installation / qualification documentation ?

• Answer: Yes.  We have documents available for both our cotton inserters and pouch inserters.

Pouch & Desiccant Inserter FAQs

Q: What is the maximum speed of your pouch inserters?

• Answer: The PD-Eco can reach speeds up to 80 BPM (Bottles Per Minute), while our dual-head models like the PD2XLE-DH can exceed 400 CPM, depending on pouch length and application requirements.

 

Q: What types of pouches can your pouch dispensers handle?

• Answer: ABOX dispensers are engineered to process a wide variety of continuous strip products, including silica gel desiccants, oxygen absorbers, Sensormatic security strips, and even small hardware or condiment pouches.

 

Q: Do you provide the desiccant material as well?

• Answer: Yes. ABOX is a leading distributor of shelf-stability products. We supply desiccants and oxygen absorbers in both pre-cut loose formats and continuous spools optimized for use with our automated dispensers.  We also supply Boost Humidity regulating packs.

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Q: What type of indexing do you offer for bottling lines?

• Answer: We offer two main types of bottle indexing systems.  One is an integrated pneumatic gating system and the other is a high speed timing screw drive unit.

 

Q: Are the timing screws quick change for a pouch inserter?

• Answer: Yes.  Timings screws are quickly exchanged on the drive unit by removing one hand screw which requires no tools to perform the change.  

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Q: Can I dispense multiple sachets per bottle?

• Answer: Absolutely.  Our pouch inserters can easily be adjusted to place multiple pouches in a bottle by entering a number into the HMI settings.  

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Q: Do you offer a reject system for the pouch inserters?

• Answer: Yes.  Our PD2XL pouch inserter is available with a system that detects if the falling pouch hesitates while entering the bottle.  If at any time the falling pouch does not fluidly enter the bottle, the bottle is flagged and removed from the line.  

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Q: Can the cutting blades be sharpened?

• Answer: Absolutely.  We offer a grinding service where the blades are ground to factory specifications allowing for a fresh cutting edge.  Typically, blades can be ground several times which extends the useful life of a blade

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Q: Can you knife assemblies be refurbished?

• Answer: Yes.  Call us for an RMA number and we will fully inspect and replace any warn components to rejuvenate your cutting assembly

 

Q: Can the pouch inserters be used in a cold manufacturing environment?

• Answer: Yes. We regularly install our equipment in facilities maintaining temps in the 30's for food processing

 

Q: Do the pouch inserters take up a lot of space?

• Answer: No.  Our units are designed to fit into tight spaces where space is at a premium.  Most of our modular machines fit withing a 24 inch wide footprint.  

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Q: How do you maintain the integrity of the pouches and keep them fresh while processing?

• Answer: We offer full enclosures for the product rolls that can include a nitrogen purge system to displace the oxygen in the cabinet which prevents oxygen scavengers from reacting.  The nitrogen purge is also used in desiccant applications since it serves as a dry gas with no moisture.  

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Q: Do you offer humidity monitors for desiccant machines?

• Answer: Yes.  Incorporated into our unwind enclosures, our humidity monitors activate a nitrogen purge when the relative humidity in the cabinet exceeds a setpoint

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Q: Do your inserters require lubrication?

• Answer: No.  All of the bearings used in our equipment are sealed and come pre-lubed.  

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Q: How is the height adjusted on your equipment?

• Answer: We incorporate a motorized telescoping column that raises or lowers our machines at the touch of a button

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Q: Is a hole punch required in the desiccant strip for your machine to work?

• Answer: No.  Our machine is capable of running product with and without hole punches for registration.  Using through beam style sensors, the machine is capable of distinguishing the difference between the seal of the pouch and the filled portion. 

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Q: Are registration marks required to process the pouches?

• Answer: No.  Although, we can add sensors to detect registration marks, they are typically not necessary.

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Q: Can your pouch dispensers orient the pouch in a lay flat orientation?

• Answer: Yes. We offer a wide variety of exit chute options to cater to your specific needs

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Q: Can your dispensers be placed on a mezzanine?

• Answer: Yes. This takes place all the time.  Especially in weigh scale applications where all equipment is vertically oriented. 

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Q: Can your dispensers be used on powder filling lines?

• Answer: Yes. We have installed countless equipment on powder lines that produce both canned or jarred powders or packaged in bags.  

Cotton Inserter FAQs

Q: What materials can the CFX Cotton Inserter process?

• Answer: The CFX is compatible with absorbent cotton, rayon, and polyester coils. It can handle weights ranging to 20 grams per insertion. 

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Q: What cut lengths is the CFX capable of?

• Answer: The CFX can accommodate cut lengths ranging from two to 7 inches

 

Q: Is the CFX capable of multiple insertions?

• Answer: Yes. The CFX cotton inserter can insert one or multiple pieces of cotton into a single bottle 

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Q: Does the CFX cotton inserter cut or tear the cotton?

• Answer: The CFX utilizes an industrial guillotine knife assembly that cleanly cuts the coil before dispensing in the bottle with an inverted U-fold.  This allows the product to be wisp free which prevents any opportunity for the safety seal to be compromised.

 

Q: Do you offer a reject system for missing or protruding cotton?

• Answer: Yes.  Our reject system is fully integrated with the machine.  It can detect if cotton is missing from the bottle as well as if any cotton remains sticking out after insertion.  The bottles are automatically removed from the conveyor onto a tray where an operator can inspect or correct any issues.

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Q: How is the cut length adjusted for the CFX?

• Answer: The CFX length adjustment is totally digital and only requires the operator to change a number on the HMI screen

 

Converting FAQs

Q: Are your guillotine knives compatible with specialty materials like Tyvek?

• Answer: Absolutely. Our hardened tool steel guillotine knives (available in open and closed frame designs) provide a clean shear for tough materials including Tyvek, foil-backed pouches, and heavy poly-films.

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Q: How do I know if you can cut my material?

• Answer: Send us your sample and we will perform test cuts to verify product compatibility

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Q: Do you design custom knives that will fit into my equipment?

• Answer: Absolutely.  We regularly design custom knife assemblies that OEM's integrate into their equipment.  Our knives are used in form fill and seal machines, material processing, dispensers, and many more applications.

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Q: Can your blades be coated to extend life?

• Answer: Yes. We typically will coat a blade with titanium nitride to help extend blade life as well as help prevent corrosion

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Q: How are your knives actuated?

• Answer: Typically, our knives are pneumatically operated.  We do, however, offer electrically actuated assemblies as an option.

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Q: What materials do you use for your cutting blades?

• Answer: A wide variety of tool steels are used to fabricate our cutting blades including D2, S7, M2, M42, 400 series stainless steel and more.  

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Q: Why are your guillotine knives better than others?

• Answer: Our offset quad shaft design is a unique setup that ensures a solid structure that can withstand the rigors of 24/7 production.  Only the best materials are used including aircraft grade aluminum for strength and hardened tool steels for long lasting blade life