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FEFCO 0423

Side-Locking Tray Base

Available in a wide range of custom configurations & material selection.
Order 1 sample. Or order 100K+ units. Or anything in between.
Affordable delivery across North America.
Design support, warehousing, testing, assembly available.
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Product details

Top highlights

Double-thick side walls provide excellent lateral crush resistance
Assembles manually via friction locks without tape or adhesive
Open-top design typically pairs with a slip lid for transit

About this product

The side-locking tray base is a heavy-duty, one-piece corrugated tray that assembles entirely without tape or glue. By rolling its long side walls 180 degrees inward, it creates a double-thick barrier that traps the end flaps and locks securely into the floor.

Because this design concentrates its structural reinforcement along the sides, it is frequently used as the bottom half of a telescopic box for heavy industrial goods, electronics, and palletized loads where lateral crush resistance is critical.

Common uses

Heavy industrial components
Electronics and semiconductor tubes
Palletized produce and meat
Internal warehouse kitting

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Heavy-Duty Kitting, Pallet Loads, and Telescopic Bases

Telescopic bases for heavy goods

When paired with a matching slip lid, this tray forms the bottom of a very rigid two-piece box. The double-wall sides support vertical weight, making it useful for stacking heavy machine parts or dense components on pallets.

Internal kitting and parts organization

The glueless, rolled edges create a clean interior free of raw corrugated flutes. This makes it a durable, reusable open tray for moving kitted parts between workstations or organizing components on warehouse shelving.

Flat electronics and hardware

The reinforced long edges absorb lateral impacts during handling. This protects wide, shallow items like semiconductor tubes, metal rods, or flat hardware that might otherwise punch through standard single-layer carton walls.

Pallet-optimized bulk transport

Because the tray footprint can be sized exactly to Euro or standard pallets, it serves as a secure containment layer for bulk goods. The side-locking mechanism ensures the tray holds its shape even when packed with dense, shifting items.

Industrial, Electronics, and Food Processing

Industrial and automotive manufacturing

Heavy metal parts require packaging that will not buckle under its own weight when stacked. The side-locking tray provides the necessary rigidity without requiring the packing team to use heavy-duty strapping tape on the base.

Food processing and agriculture

Often used for meat or dense produce, the tray can be erected quickly on-site. The lack of glue means there is no adhesive to fail in cold or damp storage environments, provided the correct board grade is selected.

Warehouse storage and internal logistics

Facilities that reuse packaging for internal movement benefit from the tape-free assembly. The tray can be knocked down flat by pulling the tabs out of the slots, saving space when not in active use.

When to consider end-locking or glued trays

End-crush resistance versus side-crush resistance

If your product is more vulnerable to impacts on its short ends, or if your pallet overhang puts pressure on the short axis, compare this with the FEFCO 0422. The 0422 rolls over the short end walls instead of the long side walls, shifting the primary protection.

High-speed automated packing lines

This tray requires a two-handed manual fold to roll the walls and seat the locking tabs. If your operation uses linear folder-gluers, a pre-glued tray will be much faster to erect.

Close variants and lookalike dielines

The closest library neighbors include 0424, 0424a. Use this as a variant check if a buyer brings an old code, sample, or dieline that looks close. The deciding details are usually the lock, slot, closure, wall build, part count, or fold sequence.

Board thickness, assembly labor, and transit closure

Board thickness and hinge cracking

The 180-degree roll-over is very sensitive to board thickness. While fine flutes fold crisply, heavy double-wall board can bind or crack. If you need double-wall strength, the die-cut template must be explicitly compensated for that exact caliper.

Transit closure and master shippers

Because this is an open tray held together by friction locks, it is vulnerable to impact during transit. It requires either a tight-fitting slip lid, an outer master carton, or heavy strapping to ship as a standalone parcel.

Assembly labor and packing speed

The mechanical locks require packers to apply firm downward pressure to seat the tabs into the base. For very high-volume operations, this manual effort should be weighed against the speed of machine-erected glued trays.

Print surface and branding

The 180-degree roll-over means the exterior face of the corrugated board becomes the interior side wall. This allows for continuous branding or instructional printing on the inside of the tray without requiring two-sided printing.

Locking tab and clearance adjustments

Locking tab friction and seating

The tabs that lock into the floor can be adjusted for tighter or looser friction. A slick coated board might require deeper tabs to prevent springing open, while a rough kraft board might need looser clearances so packers do not struggle to seat them.

Double crease width

The hinge that rolls over the side wall must bridge the thickness of the trapped end flaps. This crease width can be widened to accommodate thicker board grades, preventing the corrugated material from cracking during assembly.

Base slot depth

The receiving slots in the tray floor can be modified to match the exact length of the locking tabs, ensuring a flush fit that does not protrude or catch on the packed product.

Board and packing details

Blank sprawl and material yield

The cross-shaped flat blank, extended further by the roll-over side panels, creates a large footprint with large corner offcut waste. This makes the flat layout heavily dependent on careful nesting during production.

Locking and clearance variants

Clearance-adjusted lock profiles

Depending on the exact board grade and surface finish, the locking tabs and base slots can be routed with different friction profiles to ensure the tray stays locked without exhausting the packing team.

Additional notes

Surface coatings and lock friction

High-gloss varnishes or slick coatings can reduce the friction holding the tabs in the base slots. If you require a coated finish, the locking tabs may need to be adjusted to prevent the tray from springing open.

FAQs

Shipping and Route

Can I ship this tray through a parcel network?

Not on its own. The open top and friction-locked walls are vulnerable to impact during transit. To ship via courier, it must be paired with a secure slip lid or placed inside a master shipper.

Assembly and Packing

Does this tray require tape or glue to assemble?

No. The tray is designed to lock mechanically. The side walls roll over the end flaps and tuck into slots in the floor, holding the structure together through board tension.

Board and Material

Can we use heavy double-wall corrugated for extra strength?

Yes, but it requires careful engineering. The 180-degree fold is sensitive to board thickness. If double-wall board is used without adjusting the crease allowances, the hinges will crack and the locking tabs will not seat properly.

Comparison

What is the difference between this tray and the 0422?

The 0423 rolls over its long side walls, providing double-thick protection along the sides. The 0422 rolls over its short end walls, providing double-thick protection at the ends. You choose based on where your product needs the most impact resistance.

Production Path

Can this tray be erected by automated machinery?

It cannot be run on linear folder-gluers because it lacks glued joints. It can be automated only if your facility uses specialized plunger-style die-box tray erectors.

Inserts and Fit

Does the rolled edge affect internal inserts?

Yes. The rolled side walls create a clean, double-thick interior boundary, which slightly reduces the internal width. Any custom inserts or partitions must be sized to account for this thicker wall.

Print and Branding

Can we print on the inside of the tray?

Yes. Because the side walls roll inward, the exterior print surface becomes the interior side wall, allowing for continuous branding without two-sided printing.

Stacking and Storage

How does this tray handle top weight?

The double-thick side walls provide strong vertical support, making it a strong base for stacked pallets when paired with a matching lid.