Cushioning conversion system and method

A packaging system, comprising:

• a cushioning conversion machine for converting stock material into cushioning material;
• a display for providing packaging recommendations to an operator;
• and
• a packaging processor for retrieving a predetermined cushioning material requirement for a particular part, instructing the cushioning conversion machine to produce such cushioning material for the part to be packaged, and causing the packaging recommendations to be provided on the display.

A method of packaging parts, comprising the steps of:

• identifying at least one part to be packaged;
• retrieving packaging instructions associated with the at least one part to be packaged;
• and
• controlling a cushioning conversion machine using the packaging instructions.

A packaging system, comprising:

• a packaging material generator;
• a display for providing packaging recommendations to an operator;
• and
• a packaging processor for retrieving a predetermined packaging requirement for a particular part, instructing the packaging material generator to produce such packaging, and causing the packaging recommendations to be provided on the display.

A method of packaging parts, comprising the steps of:

• identifying a part to be packaged;
• retrieving packaging instructions associated with the part to be packaged;
• and
• controlling a packaging material generator using the packaging instructions.

A packaging system, comprising:

• a cushioning conversion machine for converting stock material into packaging material;
• a display for providing packaging recommendations to an operator;
• and
• a packaging processor for determining packaging requirements for a particular part, instructing the cushioning conversion machine to produce such packaging material in accordance with the packaging requirements, and providing the packaging recommendations on the display.

A method of packaging differing parts, comprising the steps of:

• identifying at least one characteristic of a part to be packaged;
• determining packaging instructions associated with the part to be packaged using the at least one characteristic;
• and
• controlling a cushioning conversion machine using the determined packaging instructions for producing cushioning material.

A method of packaging a plurality of parts, comprising the steps of:

• identifying a plurality of parts to be packaged;
• retrieving information associated with the parts to be packaged;
• determining packaging instructions associated with the parts to be packaged using the information associated with the parts;
• and
• controlling a packaging material generator using the determined packaging control methodology.

A method of illustrating a function of a packaging system for packaging at least one part, comprising the steps of:

• identifying the at least one part to be packaged;
• accessing a database containing information relating to the at least one part;
• providing packaging instructions related to the at least one part;
• and
• displaying the packaging instructions for review.

A method of illustrating a function of a packaging system for packaging at least one part, comprising the steps of:

• identifying at least one characteristic of a part to be packaged;
• accessing a database having packaging design rules to determine a packaging methodology based on the at least one characteristic;
• and
• displaying the packaging instructions for review.

A method of packaging parts, comprising the steps of:

• identifying a part to be packaged;
• retrieving packaging instructions associated with the part to be packaged;
• and
• controlling a packaging material dispenser using the packaging instructions.

A method of packaging differing parts, comprising the steps of:

• identifying at least one characteristic of a part to be packaged;
• determining packaging instructions associated with the part to be packaged using the at least one characteristic;
• and
• controlling a packaging material dispenser using the determined packaging instructions for producing cushioning material.