How to Choose a Paper Cushioning Machine

Start from the finished material

Expandable cushioning comes from the honeycomb machines, embossed wrap from the paper bubble machines, dispenser packs from the folding machines, crumpled pads from the cushion machines and loose decorative fill from the shredder. Decide the material first and the machine follows.

Check the width against your cartons

Working widths run 515 mm on honeycomb, 600 mm and 800 mm on paper bubble, 470 mm to 800 mm on folding machines and 760 mm on the cushion pair. Wrapping a carton needs width; sleeving a bottle does not.

Match paper weight to the process

40-150 gsm on folding machines, 50-100 g on the sleeve machine, 50-180 g on the shredder, 60 gsm and up on kraft bubble, 70-80 gsm on the cushion machine, 70-100 g on honeycomb and 80-180 gsm on the bubble sheet machine.

Size output honestly

Speeds range from 25 m/min on the cushion machine to 200 m/min on honeycomb and high speed fanfold. The sleeve machine is rated at 4-12 pcs/min, the bubble sheet machine at 300 pcs/min, and the shredder at about 100-120 kg per hour.

Check the space and the supply

Machine weights run from 100 kg on the paper cushion machine to 3000 KG on the C-fold folding machine, and frame lengths from 1200 mm to 8500 mm. Folding machines need 380V 3 phase; most other machines are 380V 3 phase or built to your local supply.

Plan for automation only where it pays

All three honeycomb versions form at the same 200 m/min. Automation buys running time and labour rather than speed, so it earns its cost on multi-shift production and not on occasional runs.