In the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors, packaging is a critical phase of the production process. Speed, precision, and operational continuity are essential elements to guarantee quality, safety, and market competitiveness. It is precisely in this context that an automatic cartoning machine becomes a strategic solution for anyone looking to automate end-of-line secondary packaging.
Modern cartoning machines automatically insert products and leaflets into cardboard cartons, reducing processing times and minimizing the risk of errors. From blisters to bottles, and from sachets to stick packs, these systems are used in numerous production environments, especially where high-quality standards and continuous production lines are required.
When does it make sense to invest in an automatic cartoning machine?
If you run a pharmaceutical, galenical, or nutraceutical laboratory and manual packaging is starting to become a bottleneck, it is time to consider automation. A manual process slows down production, increases the risk of mistakes, and makes it difficult to maintain consistent quality standards across high volumes.
An automatic cartoning machine becomes particularly useful when you need to handle different formats within tight deadlines, when you process blisters, sachets, and bottles in sequence, or when your line requires an integrated coding system for traceability. In all these cases, automating means reducing downtime, eliminating manual errors, and freeing up resources for other value-added tasks.
What models of cartoning machines exist?
Cartoning machines are mainly divided into two families: vertical and horizontal. Vertical machines are suitable for products that require top-loading; horizontal machines, which are more common in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors, handle blisters, sachets, bottles, and other formats with greater versatility and production continuity.
Within this category, differences between models mainly concern production speed, the ability to perform quick format changes, the type of closure system, and the level of integration with the rest of the line. These are the parameters worth focusing on during the selection phase.
ACM 100: The MultiGel horizontal automatic cartoning machine
Our ACM 100 horizontal automatic cartoning machine is designed to pack blisters, single-dose sachets, and bottles into cartons, featuring automatic 90° rotation management for bottles. It is a compact, high-precision, entirely Made in Italy solution, designed for medium and large-scale production facilities.
Its main technical specifications are:
- Output: up to 6,000 cartons/hour (100 cartons/minute)
- Max carton dimensions: 60x100x160 mm (HxWxL)
- Power supply: 400 V three-phase
- Energy consumption: 5 kW
- Machine dimensions: 230x137x155 cm (LxWxH)
- Weight: 1,300 kg
- Compressed air: 6 bar, 250 NL/min
It operates in continuous or intermittent mode, automatically adapting to the speed of the upstream line. Movement via interpolated brushless servomotors guarantees precise control of every phase, reducing waste. The multilingual touchscreen HMI allows intuitive management of all parameters and can store settings for each format. The balcony-style structure ensures easy access to components for cleaning, inspection, and format changes.
How much does an automatic cartoning machine cost?
The cost varies based on production speed, the type of products to be packaged, the level of automation, and additional features such as rapid format changes or integrated quality control systems. It is a variable that highly depends on the specific configuration.
What is always worth considering, however, is the total cost of ownership over time: energy consumption, the frequency of maintenance interventions, availability of spare parts, and the quality of technical assistance often impact budgets more than the initial purchase price. A well-built and well-supported machine costs less in the long run.
How to maintain an automatic cartoning machine?
To maintain high performance over time, an automatic cartoning machine requires regular and scheduled interventions. The main activities to plan include cleaning the working units and parts in contact with the product, lubricating moving mechanical parts, periodically checking the alignment of the conveyor belt and picking systems, inspecting the inkjet system for printing variable data, and checking engines and electrical parameters.
Proper maintenance reduces line downtime, preserves packaging precision, and extends the machine’s lifespan. For this reason, in addition to the manufacturing quality of the equipment, it is important to choose a supplier that guarantees qualified technical assistance and fast response times.
MultiGel and pharmaceutical production: over 80 years of experience
With over 80 years of experience, MultiGel designs and manufactures solutions for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical production, completely Made in Italy. The ACM 100 is born from this expertise: a compact, precise, and easy-to-use machine, entirely designed and manufactured in-house to guarantee quality and reliability over time. Our technicians are always available to assist you with selection, installation, and after-sales support.
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