How Corrugated Cardboard is Made: A Step-by-Step Guide
Corrugated cardboard is a type of packaging material made from layers of paperboard, which are then fluted and glued together to create a strong and sturdy box. The process of making corrugated cardboard involves several steps, including:
1. Paper production: The first step in making corrugated cardboard is to produce the paper used for the layers. This is done by pulping wood chips or recycled paper and then forming it into large rolls.
2. Fluting: The next step is to flute the paper, which involves cutting it into thin layers called "flutes." These flutes are then crimped to create a wavy pattern that gives the cardboard its strength.
3. Laminating: The fluted layers are then laminated together with a layer of adhesive to create a strong and sturdy sheet.
4. Cutting and printing: Once the corrugated cardboard is made, it can be cut to size and printed with logos, labels, or other designs as needed.
5. Assembling: The final step is to assemble the boxes using the printed and cut sheets of corrugated cardboard. This is done by folding and gluing the edges together to create a sturdy box.
Corrugators are machines used in the production of corrugated cardboard. They are designed to flute the paper and laminate it with adhesive, creating the layers of corrugated cardboard. There are several types of corrugators available, including:
1. Single-facer corrugators: These machines are used to produce single-layer corrugated cardboard.
2. Double-facer corrugators: These machines are used to produce double-layer corrugated cardboard.
3. Triple-facer corrugators: These machines are used to produce triple-layer corrugated cardboard.
4. Flexo corrugators: These machines use flexographic printing technology to print directly onto the corrugated cardboard.
5. Rotary corrugators: These machines use a rotary die-cutting process to cut and crease the corrugated cardboard.
Overall, corrugators play a crucial role in the production of corrugated cardboard, allowing for efficient and high-quality manufacturing of this versatile packaging material.