Paperboard Tubes Manufacturing Plant Cost

What is a Paperboard Tubes Making Machine?

A paperboard tubes making machine is an industrial system that automatically produces cylindrical tubes and cores from paper or paperboard. These machines take raw materials like kraft paper and transform them into sturdy tubes through a process of winding, gluing, and curing.

The core principle is spiral winding or parallel winding, where multiple layers of paper are wound around a mandrel with adhesive between

the layers to create a strong, monolithic structure.

The Core Manufacturing Process (Step-by-Step)

The process can be broken down into the following key stages:

1. Unwinding (De-reeling): Large rolls of paperboard (the "parent rolls") are mounted on an unwinding stand. Multiple rolls (often 2-4) are used simultaneously to build up the wall thickness of the tube.

2. Gluing: As the paper is fed into the machine, it passes through a precision gluing unit. This applies a controlled amount of adhesive (typically PVA or dextrin-based glue) to one side of the paper web. The glue is what binds the layers together.

3. Spiral Winding (The Heart of the Process):

   • The glued paper strips are fed at a specific angle onto a rotating central mandrel (a solid steel rod that defines the tube's inner diameter).

   • As the mandrel rotates, it pulls the paper and winds it around itself, creating a continuous, spirally-wound tube.

   • The angle of the paper feed determines the spiral angle of the paper fibers in the final product, which affects its strength and flexibility.

4. Forming and Pressure: The wound paper passes through a forming belt or rollers that apply consistent pressure, ensuring the layers bond

   tightly and securely without air pockets.

5. Cutting: Once the tube reaches the desired length, a cutting mechanism (often a rotary saw or a guillotine cutter) slices it precisely. The cutting can be triggered by a pre-set length counter or a sensor.

6. Ejection and Drying: The cut tubes are ejected from the mandrel. They are then conveyed through a drying oven or left to air-cure, allowing the adhesive to fully set and achieve maximum strength.

Key Components of the Machine

• Unwind Stand: Holds the large paper rolls with tension control for smooth feeding.

• Gluing System: Includes a glue tank, rollers, and applicators for even adhesive distribution.

• Mandrel: The core of the machine; its diameter defines the tube's inner diameter. Mandrels are interchangeable to produce different tube

  sizes.

• Forming Belt/System: A set of belts or rollers that apply pressure to the wound paper to ensure a tight bond.

• Cutting Unit: A high-speed saw or cutter that slices the continuous tube into specific lengths.

• Control Panel (PLC): The brain of the machine. A Programmable Logic Controller allows operators to set parameters like tube length,

  wall thickness, production speed, and cutting frequency.

• Drying/Curing System: Can be integrated (hot air ovens, IR dryers) or a separate area for the tubes to cure.