Using constraints at the conceptual stage of the design of carton erection

Cartons are a common way to package many consumer goods. If new designs are used it is necessary to simulate their erection to ensure that this works correctly, particularly at high speed. In this paper, constraint-based techniques are used to model the carton itself and to provide such a simulation. Optimisation is used to resolve constraints and this can also be used to improve the erection process. It is also possible to model the mechanisms used to erect cartons within the same constraint modelling environment and hence simulate and improve the way in which carton faces are driven and guided.