Why Theoretical Ringrust Tests Fail: RCT Is the Real Measure
Theoretical ringrust tests misrepresent corrugated paper strength. Learn why actual RCT values matter, how to request them, and steps to test yourself for accurate packaging design.
Not another ERP — an intelligence layer for box plants
Packwares automatically optimises paper, plans materials and schedules production.
The intelligent platform for corrugated box manufacturers — it does the work a regular ERP leaves to you:
- Optimises paper — the cheapest board that still passes strength
- Plans materials — exactly what to buy, across every order
- Schedules production — jobs slot onto your machines automatically
Costing, quotations and CRM come built in.
Free tools, no signup
Built for corrugated plants
No credit card required
Most packaging software stops at the quotation. Packwares keeps thinking.
Three things a regular ERP can't do — and the reason box plants switch to us.
Paper optimisation
The cheapest board that still passes strength
- Picks the lowest-cost board that still meets your strength
- Checks GSM & BF combinations across 3, 5 and 7-ply
- Built-in McKee strength check on every spec
- Reel is a box's biggest cost — this saves on every one
Material resource planning
Know exactly what to buy, across every order
- Explodes every order into paper & reel requirements
- Nets demand against live stock and incoming POs
- Tells you exactly what to procure, and when
- No guesswork, no stockouts, no dead inventory
Automatic job scheduling
Your machines, planned for you
- Confirmed orders become job cards automatically
- Corrugator campaigns grouped by deckle
- Machine capacity & delivery dates respected
- Drag-to-adjust Gantt view when you need to
It's not a bolt-on report — it's an intelligence layer over your whole workflow, from the first enquiry to the machine on the floor.
One intelligent flow, enquiry to dispatch
The intelligence runs end to end — each step feeds the next, so nothing is re-keyed and nothing falls through.
Spec it, and let it optimise
Enter the box and target strength. Packwares returns the cheapest paper combination that passes — and a true, ready-to-quote cost.
Confirm the order, get a material plan
Every order is exploded into paper and reel needs, netted against stock, and turned into an exact procurement list.
Go to production — jobs schedule themselves
Orders become job cards and auto-slot onto your machines by deckle and capacity, so the floor always knows what runs next.
Start free
90-day full trial · No credit card required
Try the intelligence free — start with the paper optimiser
Professional-grade tools on industry-standard formulas. No signup, no catch — they stay free forever.
Paper Optimiser
The cheapest paper combination that still meets your target strength — ranked by cost.
Instant
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Box Strength Calculator
Compression strength (CS / top load) with temperature, humidity and stacking factors.
30 seconds
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Box Costing Calculator
Full cost per box — paper, conversion, wastage and margin — ready to quote.
2 minutes
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Top Load ↔ ECT Converter
Convert between compression strength and ECT for common flute types.
Instant
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Want the business case for your plant? Try the ROI calculator →
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Why PackWares is the Simplest Software for Corrugated Box Manufacturers
Discover how PackWares transforms complex corrugated box operations into simple, one-click workflows. Built for simplicity, powered by AI, loved by manufacturers who want results without complexity.
Put the intelligence layer to work
Optimise paper, plan materials and schedule production from day one. Create a free account and try every module for 90 days — costing, quotations and CRM included.
90-day full trial · No credit card · Free calculators forever