Automation of Examination Glove Box Packaging – Transforming a Labour-Intensive Industry

Current Challenges in Conventional Glove Box Packaging

The traditional process of packing examination gloves involves:

• Manual glove collection from glove formers

• Counting and stacking by operators

• Manual box filling and closing

• Visual checking and taping or gluing of boxes

While simple in concept, this method presents significant challenges:

• High dependence on manual labour

• Inconsistent box counts and quality

• Slower throughput

• Risk of contamination during handling

• Increased fatigue and error rates

As global demand for medical gloves continues to grow, automation has become essential for maintaining output consistency, operator safety, and product hygiene.

Automated Glove Box Packing Systems

Automatic Glove Box Packing Machines are designed to streamline the entire process — from glove collection to box sealing — with minimal human intervention.

A typical automatic system includes:

1. Glove Stripping & Counting Unit – Automatically removes gloves from the formers and counts the required quantity per box (commonly 50 or 100 pieces).

2. Transfer Conveyor System – Transports counted glove stacks in an aligned manner.

3. Box Feeding & Opening System – Automatically picks, opens, and positions empty boxes.

4. Filling Unit – Inserts glove stacks neatly into the boxes.

5. Box Sealing Unit – Applies glue or performs tuck-in closure.

6. Output Conveyor – Transfers the packed boxes for labeling or secondary packing.

With precise servo and PLC-based controls, these systems ensure accurate counting, uniform stacking, and consistent packaging quality at high speeds.

Semi-Automatic Packaging Solutions

For medium-scale manufacturers or factories transitioning gradually to full automation, semi-automatic systems are a cost-effective alternative.

They may include:

• Automatic glove counting and stacking

• Manual or assisted box feeding

• Semi-automatic gluing or closing units

These hybrid setups reduce manpower needs while maintaining flexibility in operation — making them ideal for growing glove manufacturing units.

Customization and Integration Options

Every glove production facility has different production capacities, layout constraints, and packaging standards. Hence, custom automation equipment can be developed to suit specific requirements.

Alkem Global provides tailor-made solutions that integrate with your existing glove manufacturing lines:

• Integration with automatic glove stripping machines

• Custom conveyors for space optimization

• Robotic box loading and palletizing options

• Vision inspection for box quality and count verification

• Data logging and process traceability (Industry 4.0 ready)

These systems ensure seamless workflow, improved efficiency, and minimal manual handling.

Types of Glove Boxes and Their Implications

Examination glove boxes come in different formats — each with its own production and sealing considerations:

1. Glue-Sealed Boxes

   • Provide a firm and professional finish.

   • Suitable for high-speed automatic sealing lines.

   • Require controlled glue application and drying systems.

2. Tuck-In Type Boxes

   • Easier to assemble manually.

   • No glue required, hence more eco-friendly.

   • Slightly slower for fully automatic lines due to mechanical folding complexity.

Choosing between the two depends on:

• Automation level

• Production speed

• Packaging cost targets

• End-user requirements

At Alkem Global, our experts help evaluate these factors and recommend the right packaging model for your production strategy.

Advantages of Automation in Glove Box Packaging

Implementing automation delivers multiple long-term benefits:

• Increased Production Output – Continuous operation with minimal downtime.

• Reduced Labour Dependency – Lower operational costs and manpower requirements.

• Improved Hygiene and Quality – Reduced human contact during packaging.

• Accurate Counting & Sealing – Consistency across all batches.

• Scalable Operation – Easy to expand with additional modules as production grows.

• Better ROI – Faster payback due to efficiency gains and labour savings.

Automation not only enhances production capacity but also ensures regulatory compliance, particularly in GMP-certified medical packaging environments.

Alkem Global – Your Partner in Medical Packaging Automation

Whether you’re:

• Planning to upgrade your existing manual packing line,

• Aiming to scale production capacity, or

• Setting up a new glove manufacturing plant,

Alkem Global provides end-to-end automation solutions including:

1. Feasibility analysis and process design

2. Custom equipment manufacturing

3. Machine installation and commissioning

4. Operator training and after-sales support

Our systems are designed to integrate seamlessly into your production workflow — delivering high efficiency, hygiene, and precision in glove box packaging.