Esko has become the first to bring to market the new standards established by the European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers (FEFCO) in its structural design software.
The internationally applied system for corrugated packaging design, the FEFCO Code, contains the structures of the most common box types with a code number assigned to each, making it an indispensable tool for the corrugated packaging industry.
Initially developed in the 1960s to replace long and complicated verbal descriptions for packaging construction, the distinct codes and designs create a common base for communication, both internally and with customers worldwide.
The latest, 12th version of the FEFCO Code reflects the developments in the corrugated industry, new technologies, market changes and more than a hundred new designs – including a new series specifically related to retail and e-commerce.
“This latest edition introduced a further one hundred new codes to the guidebook,” explained Jan De Roeck, director of industry relations and strategic marketing with Esko. “Having worked with FEFCO for many years, we were proud to again help with the development of these new standards.
“Rebuildable designs are hugely important when designing packaging. Smart, parametric standards help to save design time and reduce errors. Esko ArtiosCAD has an intelligent, resizable design library of the US, ECMA, FEFCO and display standards that make design decisions for the user, and a powerful rebuild design feature that allows designs to be parametrically rebuilt with new geometric values. It made sense that the software’s 3D design capability was used to develop and ensure the accuracy of the new FEFCO designs.”
The inclusion of parametric standards in the ArtiosCAD library is a significant differentiating factor that has helped make it one of the world’s most popular structural design software.
“With continued developments in the sector, particularly in the field of e-commerce and the use of materials with high recycled content, the ability to design accurately, flexibly, and innovatively, as having the flexibility to rebuild whenever needed due to the high pace of production today – is increasingly important,” De Roeck added. “The FEFCO codes are used by thousands of businesses all around the world, and we are honoured to be involved in the development of this 12th edition.
“We’re also delighted to be the first software company to implement these standards as parametric tools into our structural design software and are equally proud that our ArtiosCAD solution is helping ensure customers worldwide are able to make the best use of the standards.”
Julian Pachniewski, the FEFCO Code working group chair, commented: “The update of the FEFCO Code was needed to reflect the latest design developments, technological improvements and customer demands. The corrugated industry has once again proven its resilience and agility to adapt to market changes and lead through innovation.
“FEFCO would like to thank all companies and design experts who supported the update of the FFECO Code, including Esko, to successful completion and publication. It is encouraging to see the speedy start of the implementation and use of the new design styles in software solutions.”
An interactive document with an overview page for each series highlighting the new codes, the FEFCO code, is adopted by the International Corrugated Case Association (ICCA). The Code can be downloaded for free from FEFCO.
