The carry handle by Davik is an excellent product that has taken multiple industries by storm.
This strong and convenient add-on has various benefits and can improve your product’s performance in the market.
In the previous post, we went through the entire process of adding Davik’s carry handle tape to your product. Building on that, we’ll take a closer look at the required modifications in your production line for the automatic application of the carry handle.
Does the mode of application affect the carry handle’s performance?
Whether your mode of application is manual, semi-automatic, or automatic, there will be no noticeable change in the performance of the product. A handle will have the same technical specifications. For instance, the adhesive type, shear strength, and maximum tolerable weight will always be the same. Carry handle type will be designed together with Davik professionals in accordance to your pack characteristics.
The manual option is for businesses with lower production volumes, specialized retail outlets, or for testing the market before switching to an automatic option. Some brands prefer to rely on the manual or semi-automatic application while introducing the carry handle to a new market. This practice allows them to gauge the consumer’s response to the addition before investing in changing their production line.
Integrating an automatic applicator in any production line
One of the most compelling selling points of the carry handle is the convenience it offers. It is compatible with all applicator machines available in the market. Davik does not handle the sales of applicators but can recommend machinery manufacturers based on previous experiences.
Before coming up with a solution for your product line, any applicator supplier will need some information about your existing setup. Each production line has its own set of constraints and requirements, so it’s better to plan and minimize the chances of errors.
Some of the crucial data you are expected to provide is listed below:
1. Product description and dimensions
All the physical properties of your package are crucial for the machine manufacturers to come up with the most suitable solutions. The dimensions, along with the type of material and the overall weight must be a part of your description. Providing photos of the product provides clarity.
2. Required speeds
The speed of the production line varies due to product sizes (smaller containers are filled more quickly than larger ones), actual capacity used, state of the equipment, etc.
Identifying a required packaging speed and selecting the appropriate machinery is an important step. A slow applicator will affect the entire production line and reduce your output.
However, opting for a faster than required model will cost more. Machinery should be dimensioned for the fastest speed required in terms of handles/minute. This is generally the speed needed for the smallest size product (in terms of volume for each container) and the smallest multipack size (a pack of four is generally processed faster than a pack of six or eight) plus a factor of Overspeed (10%-20%).
3. Handle position
There are multiple ways of using the carry handle on your package. For instance, you are free to join the front and back panels of a rectangular carton or use the two sides depending on your vision. An applicator can also be fabricated for packages with a wide or unusual design. So you can choose any relative position you want.
Again, an easy way to be clear about this is to put a strip of tape or paper onto the product in the position the carry handle would be.
It’s also important for you to describe how the products move down the line at the place where handle application equipment would be installed. This is to ensure the correct handle position. In the case of rectangular packages, the products are either short-side leading (SSL) or long-side leading (LSL).
The applicator will then be designed according to your selected handle position. It will either operate in the parallel or perpendicular direction of the conveyor.
4. Visual media
Nowadays, most manufacturers will ask you to send accompanying photographs and videos to reduce the margin of error. Photographs of the package, along with a video of the area where the applicator will be installed can help the machine manufacturers extract the needed information.
5. Handle type
The carry handle is not a homogeneous product. Davik gives you complete freedom to design the carry handle according to your vision. You may choose the material used for the grab insert, as well as the printed design. You can choose classic or more sustainable versions of the product. Everything according to your needs and market requirements.
Customizing the carry handle would then need your automatic applicator to be modified accordingly. For instance, a comfort-handle with a foam padding is thicker than the usual handles. Similarly, a thicker and wider adhesive tape is often used for heavier packages. You’ll need to share all these technical details with the machine manufacturers, so your changes can be accommodated in the design.
6. Available space
Most manufacturers recommend sending a CAD drawing of the entire packaging setup so their engineers can identify all the constraints and space requirements. Most top-tier automatic applicators have a small footprint and can be easily integrated into a modern production line.
Final thoughts
Intense competition exists in the consumer market. Brands that don’t adapt to the changing demands of the market are often left behind. Adding the carry handle by Davik in your products and integrating an automated system in your production line may sound overwhelming at first. However, the process becomes simpler and more reliable with guidance from experts in the field.
Davik has been in the industry for more than two decades and has a dedicated team of experts to support you. From working on the technical details of your adhesive tape to recommending the correct machinery for automatic application, you will be covered on every step of the way.
Davik would like to thank William Gwynn of Karlville for his contribution to this article
Our other articles that you might be interested in:
The complete carry handle adhesive tape manufacturing process;
Adhesive solutions for industrial and packaging applications
