Remote packaging design and prototyping now available for Macfarlane customers

Dylan MacdonaldMacfarlane Group, Macfarlane Packaging

Customers of Macfarlane Packaging, the UK’s largest distributor of protective packaging materials, can now work remotely with designers and receive instantly produced prototypes, following new investment at the company’s Innovation Lab.

Working closely with AG/CAD, the Milton Keynes based Macfarlane Packaging Innovation Lab has developed remote design working using the latest version of KASEMAKE 12 CAD software. Integration with a cloud-based solution has enabled the software to work seamlessly in the field with real time synchronisation of data.  This flexibility means that designs created remotely with customers can be sampled immediately at the Innovation Lab’s prototyping facility.

Macfarlane Packaging’s Innovation Lab creates authentic, innovative and effective packaging solutions that help customers to reduce their total cost of packaging and environmental impact. With this new infrastructure in place, the Innovation Lab team can now provide extended design support and work remotely with customers if they choose not to travel.

The enhanced Macfarlane Packaging Innovation Lab now includes:

  • A secure and effective remote working capability through cloud-based software, which ensures live syncing of files with instant sample production
  • An investment in a new Jetrix KX6 LED printer supplied by AG/CAD, which can print samples that closely represent the manufactured product, printing full colour and white directly on to a range of materials.

Commenting on the further investment, Richard Garratt, Macfarlane’s Technical Design Manager said:  “Mobilising our designers with cloud-integrated KASEMAKE 12 has enabled us to adapt the delivery of our specialist design services to work remotely with customers in compliance with COVID-19 restrictions. This investment also further extends our capability to support customers across the UK and Europe.”

Paul Andrade from AG/CAD said: “Macfarlane’s vision for remote origination of KASEMAKE CAD designs with instant, anywhere-access was a technical challenge. As customers move to the cloud, this type of software development is key and we set out to ensure this functionality is supported by the latest version of our CAD software KASEMAKE 12.

“The project has been a great success and we are very pleased to have played a key part in Macfarlane’s remote design workflow.”

The Innovation Lab, located in Milton Keynes, was launched in March 2016 and brings together the latest packaging design technology and expertise under one roof. Recently, the 2,100 square foot site has seen extensive investment in design capability, performance testing equipment and virtual meeting technology. The Innovation Lab has also been adapted to comply with social distancing restrictions and all other COVID-19 health guidelines, accommodating safely those customers who choose to visit the facility.

Customers can also experience a virtual tour of the Innovation Lab through a brand new facility available on the Macfarlane Packaging website.

For more detailed information on the Innovation Lab go to: https://www.macfarlanepackaging.com/services/innovation-lab/

Download the full press release here.