IPG's RSA (Random Semi-Automatic) WAT case sealers are purpose-built to solve exactly that problem. Both the RSA 2626-TB WAT and the RSA 3023-WAT automatically adjust for each case size that passes through, no manual reconfiguration, no stopping the line. And because both run water-activated tape, every carton that comes out the other end carries a permanent, fiber-tearing seal that holds.
WHY IT MATTERS
The Problem with Running Mixed-Size Boxes Through the Wrong Machine
Uniform case sealers are designed for one thing: a single, consistent box size. Change the SKU mix, add an oversized product, or run a promotional pack, and you're either stopping the line to adjust settings or forcing irregular cases through a machine that wasn't built for them.
For warehouse supervisors, fulfillment managers, and plant engineers running diverse product lines, that inflexibility has a direct cost in labor hours, in damaged cartons, in line downtime. Random semi-automatic case sealers eliminate the adjustment requirement. The machine reads each case and adjusts automatically, keeping throughput moving regardless of what comes down the line.
WHY WATER-ACTIVATED TAPE
A Permanent Seal Is Non-Negotiable for Heavy-Duty Cartons
Pressure-sensitive tape applies quickly, but it relies on surface contact and consistent conditions to hold. On a heavy carton that bond can creep, peel, or lose adhesion over time.
Water-activated tape (WAT) works differently. The starch-based adhesive penetrates the corrugated surface and bonds at a fiber level. Once set, that bond doesn't release under load, temperature change, or extended storage. For procurement specialists, packaging engineers, and operations directors evaluating total cost of seal issues versus tape cost, WAT's permanent bond is the specification that eliminates the variable.
THE MACHINES
Two RSA WAT Case Sealers, Two Ways to Solve the Problem
IPG offers two high-performance random semi-automatic WAT case sealers.
|
RSA 2626-TB WAT |
RSA 3023-WAT |
|
| SPEED | Up to 28 cases/min; variable speed up to 150 ft/min belt speed | High-speed throughput; built for demanding, high-volume lines |
| CASE SIZE RANGE | 3.5" min height, 26" max width; random sizing per pass | Wide random-size range; designed for all-size mixed-case lines |
| KEY FEATURES | Double wipe-down seal; large tape rolls (up to 4,500 ft); foot-switch pass-through mode; 2.5-gallon water tank; same footprint as standard top/bottom belt machines | High-speed random auto sealing; secure WAT closure; curbside recyclable; sustainable plastic tape replacement; proven in 3PL and high-volume fulfillment |
| BEST FOR |
Operations needing high-speed WAT sealing with minimal footprint and maximum tape roll capacity | High-volume fulfillment, 3PL, and e-commerce lines running heavy-duty, mixed-size box assortments at speed |
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
Built for Speed, Built for Any Box
|
The RSA 2626-TB WAT is IPG's newest high-speed random WAT case sealer, engineered for fast-moving packaging environments that can't afford to slow down for box size changes. Variable speed drive belts reach up to 150 feet per minute, and the machine processes up to 28 cases per minute while automatically adjusting for each carton. Large tape rolls (up to 4,500 ft) reduce the frequency of tape changes, and the double wipe-down head delivers the most secure WAT seal available. The 2.5-gallon water tank activates up to five rolls before refilling. Fits in the same floor footprint as most standard top/bottom belt machines, making it a direct upgrade path for existing lines. Curbside recyclable closure, a sustainable alternative to plastic carton sealing tape. |
RSA 2626-TB WAT — High Speed Random Semi-Automatic WAT Case Sealer|
RSA 3023-WAT — High Speed Random Semi-Automatic WAT Case Sealer The RSA 3023-WAT is IPG's proven high-speed WAT sealer for operations running heavy-duty, mixed-size carton assortments at volume. Designed to handle the full spectrum of random case dimensions, it delivers the secure, curbside-recyclable WAT closure that 3PL operations and high-volume e-commerce fulfillment centers depend on. A third-party logistics company running all-size box assortments recovered the full machine investment in four weeks after switching from pressure-sensitive tape, driven by the WAT supply agreement cost savings and reduced seal issues . Safe, easy to operate, and built for sustained high-volume throughput. |
HOW TO CHOOSE
Which RSA WAT Machine Is Right for Your Operation?
The right machine depends on your line's specific priorities. Use these questions to narrow it down:
- How fast does your line need to run? If throughput is the primary constraint and you need to maximize cases per minute with variable belt speed, the RSA 2626-TB WAT's variable speed drive and 28-case/minute capacity is the specification to evaluate.
- What is your box size range and weight profile? Both machines handle random sizing automatically. For lines running a particularly heavy or demanding carton mix at sustained high volume, the RSA 3023-WAT's track record in intensive 3PL and e-commerce environments is worth considering.
- How much floor space do you have? The RSA 2626-TB WAT is designed to fit in the same footprint as most existing top/bottom belt machines making it a low-disruption upgrade for operations that need to upgrade without reconfiguring the floor plan.
- How often can you change tape rolls? If minimizing line stoppages for tape changes is a priority, the RSA 2626-TB WAT's large-roll capacity (up to 4,500 ft per roll) extends the interval between changes significantly.
- What are your sustainability commitments? Both RSA WAT case sealers produce a curbside recyclable closure, replacing plastic carton sealing tape. For sustainability directors and procurement specialists working toward recyclable packaging targets, this is a material distinction.
BOTTOM LINE
Stop Adjusting for Box Size. Start Sealing Every Carton Right.
Whether your line runs small parcels, heavy industrial cartons, or everything in between, a random semi-automatic WAT case sealer eliminates the manual adjustment bottleneck and replaces it with a machine that handles whatever comes next.
Both the RSA 2626-TB WAT and the RSA 3023-WAT deliver the permanent, fiber-tearing WAT bond that keeps cartons closed from the packing line to the final destination. The question isn't whether WAT is the right seal. It's which machine fits your throughput requirements, floor space, and box mix.
|
Ready to Find the Right RSA WAT Case Sealer for Your Line? Contact IPG's machinery support team to discuss your box mix, throughput requirements, and floor space — and get the right recommendation for your operation. |
