Power outages are rare in most facilities, but they are not impossible. A grid failure, a transformer problem, or a planned maintenance shutdown can interrupt the power supply. When the power goes out, the honeycomb paper machine stops, and the packing line stops with it.
The question is not whether the outage will happen. It is what the operation does when it does. The answer depends on how long the outage lasts and how much the downtime costs.
What the Machine Draws
The machine runs on standard AC220V/50HZ at 1.5kW total power. The draw is modest compared with larger industrial equipment, which means the backup power requirement is smaller than it would be for a larger machine.
The 1.5kW figure is the machine's total power. The actual draw during operation may be lower, because the machine does not run at full load continuously. The draw during start-up may be higher, because the motor draws a surge when it starts.
How Long the Outage Lasts
The outage duration determines the backup power strategy. A brief outage of a few minutes is handled by the machine's own inertia and by the operator's ability to restart. An outage of a few hours requires a backup power source.
A battery backup is sufficient for brief outages. A generator is required for longer outages. The choice depends on the facility's history and on the criticality of the packing operation.
What the Downtime Costs
The downtime cost is the packing line's lost output. If the line packs 400 parcels in an 8-hour shift, the lost output during an outage is 50 parcels per hour. The cost is the lost output multiplied by the margin per parcel.
The calculation is not precise, because the operation may catch up after the outage. But the calculation gives the operation a number to compare against the cost of the backup power.
How to Size the Backup Power
The backup power source has to supply the machine's 1.5kW draw plus the draw of any other equipment that runs on the same circuit. If the machine is the only critical load, the backup power can be sized to the machine.
A battery backup sized for 1.5kW can run the machine for a limited time. A generator sized for 1.5kW can run the machine indefinitely, as long as fuel is available.
What the Alternatives Are
The first alternative is to accept the outage and restart when the power returns. The option is appropriate when the outages are rare and the downtime cost is low.
The second alternative is to install a battery backup. The option is appropriate when the outages are brief and the downtime cost is moderate.
The third alternative is to install a generator. The option is appropriate when the outages are long and the downtime cost is high.
What the Machine Delivers
A honeycomb paper machine that can be connected to backup power delivers output even during an outage. Die-cutting speed is adjustable between 5 and 18 m/min, and die-cutting width is adjustable between 200 and 500mm. Suitable paper is ≤80gsm, and both virgin kraft paper and recycled paper work.
A compact footprint of just over 1 cubic meter, dimensions around 950x1150x1260mm and net weight near 502kg, means the machine can sit at the packing bench. A paper roll length of about 1700m, with a maximum unwind diameter of 500mm and a paper core inner diameter of 75mm, supports a long production run before the roll needs to be changed. A die that lasts about 1.0~1.3 million meters keeps the cells uniform across the entire run.
The output is biodegradable packaging and degradable packing material, a practical alternative to plastic packing materials, and it supports reuse cartons and paper recycling. Planning for the outage is what makes that output available when the grid is not.