To the left is a picture of the machine we designed and built for loading a tubular-shaped mesh netting onto a cardboard sleeve. This netting is used to package Christmas trees after they are harvested. The tree is pulled through the opening in the center of the cardboard sleeve. As the tree passes through, the branches are compressed against the trunk and the netting securely holds them in position for transit to the customer.

This machine was a real challenge in that it had to load a 500 foot long tubular mesh "sock" onto the cardboard sleeve. This proved to be a difficult, yet challenging task. The special framework and synchronized "drive belts" solved the problem.

National Instruments