A tray former looks simple. It takes a flat corrugated blank and turns it into an open tray. But the machine has to match your blanks, your tray style, your adhesive, and the packing equipment that receives the trays. A tray former that does not fit any one of those will hold up the end of the line.
Used tray formers are a practical option for producers adding tray packing, replacing a hand-forming station, or expanding an existing line. They are often available far sooner than new machines built to order, at a fraction of new cost. The key is knowing what to confirm before the machine arrives.
Used Packaging Equipment has sold used bottling and packaging machinery exclusively since 1988, including tray formers, case erectors, and end-of-line packaging systems. This guide covers the questions buyers should ask when evaluating a used tray former or tray erector.
A tray former, also called a tray erector, is a machine that forms flat corrugated or paperboard blanks into open-top trays. The machine pulls a blank from a magazine, folds the sides and corners around a forming mandrel or through a forming section, and secures the corners with hot melt glue, interlocking tabs, or tape. Finished trays are then sent to a packer, a tray loader, or a shrink wrapper.
The terms tray former and tray erector are generally used for the same type of machine. Some buyers use “erector” for case-style equipment and “former” for shallow trays, but both describe machines that build trays from flat blanks.
Tray formers appear on packaging lines across many industries:
Bottled water, soft drinks, juice, and beer are often packed in shrink-wrapped corrugated trays. A tray former supplies the trays ahead of a tray packer or tray shrink wrapper.
Canned goods, jarred sauces, snacks, and produce are commonly shipped in trays. Display-ready trays are also used for retail shelf presentation.
Cleaners, detergents, and personal care products are frequently packed in trays for club store and retail distribution.
Cups, cartons, and bottles are often handled in trays for storage and distribution through cold chain operations.
Start with the tray itself. Tray formers are built to produce specific styles, such as plain trays, trays with corner posts, display trays, and wrap-style trays. Some machines handle several styles with change parts, while others are set up for one. Bring a sample of your tray or a drawing of your blank and compare it to what the machine was built to run.
Every tray former has a range of blank lengths, widths, and tray depths it can handle. Confirm that the sizes you use fall within that range, along with any sizes you plan to add. Verify the actual range against the specific machine’s specifications rather than relying on general category information.
The weight and flute of your corrugated board affect how blanks feed and fold. A machine set up for lighter board may need adjustment to handle heavier stock, and the reverse is also true. Ask what board grades the machine ran on its prior line.
Most tray formers use hot melt glue to seal the corners. If the machine includes a glue system, confirm the make and model, the number of glue guns, and whether the hot melt unit comes with it. If you already run hot melt equipment elsewhere in the plant, matching systems can simplify parts and supplies.
Some tray formers lock the corners mechanically with die-cut tabs and do not use adhesive. These machines need blanks designed for that locking method, so confirm that your blanks match.
Tape-sealed trays are less common, but some formers use tape heads. Check tape width and tape head style if this applies to your trays.
Change parts often decide whether a used tray former fits your operation. Forming mandrels, plungers, magazine guides, and folding sections are often sized to a specific tray. Ask what change parts come with the machine and what tray sizes they were built for.
If parts for your sizes are missing, plan for new change parts as part of the project. Some machines change over quickly with adjustable sections, while others need full mandrel swaps. Ask how changeover is done and what tools are required.
Ask whether the tray former has been function tested or tested under power. Seeing the machine cycle through blank pickup, folding, and gluing gives you a clearer picture than a visual inspection alone. Video of the machine running is useful when you cannot visit in person.
The best test uses your own blanks. If you can send samples, ask whether the machine can form trays from them. This shows whether your blanks feed from the magazine and fold cleanly through the forming section.
Manuals, electrical drawings, and parts lists help with installation, training, and future service. Ask for the manufacturer, model, and serial number so you can source parts later.
The tray former needs to supply trays at the rate your packer or shrink wrapper uses them. Compare the machine’s rated output with your line’s target rate, and verify against the machine’s specifications.
Some tray formers stand alone and send trays to a separate loading station. Others are integrated into a tray packer or shrink wrapper as one system. Decide which setup fits your floor space and line layout before choosing a machine.
Check the discharge height and direction, the conveyor connection, voltage and phase, and compressed air requirements. Confirm whether the machine’s controls can communicate with your packer so the line can start and stop together.
Tray formers vary in footprint, especially once the blank magazine and discharge conveyor are included. Measure your available space and allow room for operators to load blanks and reach the machine for changeovers.
A larger blank magazine reduces how often operators need to reload. Ask about magazine capacity and whether an extended magazine is available.
Many beverage and food lines pair a tray former with a tray shrink wrapper. If you are building or expanding a tray packing line, consider sourcing matched equipment from one supplier.
Ask about help with parts, change parts, and related equipment. A supplier with deep inventory can often provide case packers, shrink wrappers, conveyors, and palletizers to complete the end of the line.
Used Packaging Equipment has specialized exclusively in used bottling and packaging machinery since 1988. Our inventory includes tray formers, tray erectors, case erectors, tray shrink wrappers, and complete end-of-line packaging equipment for beverage, food, dairy, household, and personal care producers. Financing is available to help you add tray forming capacity without straining your budget.
Contact our team with your tray style and blank sizes, and we will help you find a used tray former that fits your line.
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