The Hidden Costs of a Robotic Case Packer

• Installation and integration, $10,000 to $50,000. Setting the cell, wiring, and tying the robot into your conveyors and controls. Layout and conveyor fit drive the number.
• Training and setup, $5,000 to $15,000. Operators, maintenance techs, and a backup on every shift.
• Maintenance, $3,000 to $10,000 a year. Scheduled service on the robot, grippers, and safety systems.
• Spare parts, $1,000 to $5,000 a year. Suction cups, belts, sensors, and gripper pads wear out.
• Software updates, $0 to $2,000 a year. Controls and robot software.

• Change parts. Each new pack pattern or case size needs its own tooling. Ask for the price per set up front.
• Floor work. Moving a conveyor, adding power, or adding compressed air for vacuum tooling.
• Downtime during install. Plan for lost production while the cell goes in.
• Case quality. Robots stop on warped or out-of-spec cases. Cheap corrugated costs more on an automated line.

1. Start with the machine quote.
2. Add installation, integration, and training.
3. Add five years of maintenance, spare parts, and software.
4. Add change parts for every format you run today and plan to add.

On a $250,000 cell, those extras range from about $35,000 to $150,000 over five years. Divide the full total by your yearly labor savings for an honest payback.

• Is installation in the quote, and who handles the electrical and air hookups?
• How many people does training cover, and is refresher training included?
• What does a yearly preventive maintenance plan cost?
• Which spare parts should I keep on the shelf, and what does the kit cost?
• What does each additional change part set cost, and how long does it take to build?

Case quality is the hidden cost we control. We spec cases to the tolerances your robot needs and hold the board grade steady from order to order. Our VMI program keeps cases, tape, and film on the floor so the cell never waits on supplies. Send us your case specs, and we’ll check them against your robot’s tolerances before install day.

S&S Incorporated · Packaging made easy since 1965 21300 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44117 216-383-1880 · info@sspkg.com · www.sspackaging.com Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–3:30 PM