Cutting Machine for Cardboard Sheets

[Jwan]

Hello

I got some quotes from box manufacturers, here in the UK and China and I just couldn't make the margins work for us. So it looks like I'll be continuing to make my packaging boxes myself.

Does anyone know of cardboard cutting machines? I know of stuff like this, but they are too expensive! I feel like their strength and power is way over what I need.

Any help & advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You.

 

[PipeTen-Carl]

What volumes, sizes and cut complexity levels are you needing? What methods do you use for your DIY option?

 

[Jwan]

We're just starting out, so volumes aren't that high. Around 10 boxes every 2 days.

Size is about the size of King size tissue box, I use a work knife to cut the drawing of the box. I draw the shape to cut. I also use a tool called HandyScore to score the edges that need to be folded

 

[DavidWH]

Find someone who has a flat bed cutter, something like the Zund cutters (video), these are impressive machines, and can cut/score/route automatically, the speed and accuracy is impressive.

If they've got a flat bed printer to go with it, they'll be able to print the boxes too. If you're interested let me know I'll ping over a few contacts I have, we've designed and had short run boxes produced in the past for a few clients prototypes.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Are you taking labour (you) costs into the costs as I find it hard to believe the big companies are not cheaper unless its not a standard box

 

[Jwan]

Thanks David, I doubt that the people with Zund cutters would offer a more competitive price than cardboard box manufacturers that I've already contacted.

The other issue is storage space, I can get a good working margin if I order large quantities from China, but then I'd need to pay for their storage too.

With me creating them, storage is never an issue, and to answer your question Chris, no, I am not at the moment. When I start shifting 10 boxes a day, I'll start worrying about my time.

Sometimes, we get days when not even a single box is needed. Last week we had 7 boxes go in a day. So it varies, but right now, my time isn't a big issue.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

But if you applied that time to increasing your sales rather than making little boxes the price difference would probably me insignificant

If you have the skills and drive to start up a company, don't waste your time doing mundane things for so little gain. time management is a very important part of running a company

 

[PipeTen-Carl]

Agree with the comment on time/margins, but random DIY type ideas for lower volumes:

Would a vinyl type plotter cutter for lower density cardboard from roll work (like those used for workwear personalisation )?

Find a local metal fabricator and ask if something like a manual arbor press or hydraulic floor press + rough fabricated cutting bit might work?

You could find someone with a woodshop bandsaw and do the outline cutting with wood top-template, doing multiple layers/outlines with each cut, storing flat in bulk for scoring and folding as needed?

 

[DavidWH]

Vinyl plotters wouldn't really work, ours can perfect cut, but because the plotter feeds the media in and out the machine by rollers, you need a backing to keep it in tact or do a perforated cut popping out the finished job, where as with flat bed cutters the media stays stationary and the gantry moves over it.

Don't rule out the zund, I met a guy the other week who produces loads of one off samples for large packaging companies on his, simply because there's no set up costs, just chuck the media in, and press cut.

Although the saw idea with template may work, never thought of that.

 

[Marketing Quotes]

Would Zund cutters work for cutting 3d pop up cards? If you don't know what those are you can get a sense of what I'm talking about here - paperpopcards.com

Right now they are made in Vietnam and shipped to UK, but I'd like to do it in house.

 

[DavidWH]

Not sure how it will handle the smaller details, but failing that a laser cutter would do it, although it may leave light burn marks.

I would speak to Zund and see if they can get a demo sorted, Fotoba also produce a similar machine, and it's considerably cheaper.