STM Mini-RocketBox Review
Before you get to enjoy our innovative robotic hand or infusion robots, your business should get a high-quality pre-roll machine. Since we at Sorting Robotics are a client-driven company, we want you to get the most out of the machinery available in the industry. So, we compiled a comprehensive STM Mini-RocketBox review.
We went above and beyond to find everything you need to decide whether the pre-roll machine is a good investment for your company.
Let us be your partners in bringing your business into the 21st century!
Source: stmcanna.com
Background and Significance
Before the invention of the first pre-roll machine, all smokable products, including cannabis-based ones, were rolled by hand. However, with the evolution of technology and innovators like us, industrial cannabis production is now easier.
Like every other, the cannabis industry is starting to rely more on machinery and focuses on automation of the production processes. But the question is, is it worth it for your company to be spending money on automating production processes instead of doing it the old-fashioned way?
Pre-rolls are noticing a 12% year-over-year growth in the United States. In fact, pre-rolls are expected to be the best-selling product by 2030, as they are currently the most popular cannabis product.
Besides the potential growth, as a business, you will benefit from the following things:
Increased efficiency
Improved consistency and uniform products
Reduced waste
Reduced manual labor costs
As we like to say, now is the best time to automate your pre-roll process and start infusing your joints.
Technical Features and Functionality
We will kick it off with the basic technical features of the Mini RocketBox.
| Weight | 35 lbs |
| Power | 110V, 5.2 Amps |
| Plug type | Standard 3 prong |
| Cord length | 5½ ft |
| Materials | 304 stainless steel, aluminum, and other food-grade components |
| Control | Manual |
| Training and assistance | Via client portal |
| Life cycle | 10 years |
| Compliance | OSHA |
| Components | UL-listed |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Product dimensions
First and foremost, who is the Mini RocketBox for? The compact design of the commercial pre-roll machine makes it suitable for every business in the cannabis industry.
The Mini-RocketBox is 10” wide, 17” high and 14” long. It doesn’t matter if you are a small company with limited space or have large facilities but are seeking a portable pre-roll machine.
Components
By getting the base package of the STM Mini-RocketBox, you will get the following things:
The pre-roll machine
1x joint mini bottom tray
1x mini adjustable top tray
1x mini loading box
Customization
When ordering the STM Mini-RocketBox, your business can customize some aspects of the product according to your needs. For starters, as we mentioned previously, you can pick between the two tray configurations, 72 and 143 joints.
Depending on the type and size of product you want to offer to your customers, you can order from the different bottom tray sizes.
Remember that the weight variance can vary for every tray size. Generally, the STM Mini-RocketBox offers 5-10% weight variance.
If your business tends to use atomic closer with the dog walker and slim reefer joints, we advise you to also add a Rod Kit to your order.
Ultimately, from one business to another, it always pays off to get an extended warranty.
Pre-roll sizes
The Mini-RocketBox can be used for various products. You can use it for multiple pre-roll sizes, not just the standard ones. The STM Mini-RocketBox can fill the following sizes:
84 standard sizes
98 standard sizes
109 standard sizes
70mm mini-joints (dogwalker)
83mm cigarette-style joints
98 reefers
The filling capacity of the MiniRocketBox is 1.2 grams.
If you decide to use our Jiko automated pre-roll infusion robot and the STM Mini-RocketBox, you can rest assured all of those sizes can be covered. Jiko can infuse almost every joint size up to 5 inches.
Production capacity
Compared to other pre-roll machines of the same size, the volume per cycle of the STM Mini-RocketBox is higher. The machine can make 143 pre-rolls from 30 to 45 seconds. If you want to make the process even faster and more efficient, we recommend ordering more trays.
However, if you think that 143 pre-rolls are too much for your company, you can get a tray for 72 pre-rolls.
Source: shutterstock.com/ Photo Contributor: Timothy Watson
How Does the STM Mini RocketBox Work?
As a business in the cannabis industry, we have learned that you can’t decide whether an automated machine will make the production better if you don’t know how it works. That’s why an important part of our STM Mini-RocketBox review is to explain the process of filling the pre-rolls with cannabis.
First, you will need to assemble the Mini RocketBox. Due to its simplicity and compactness, it is an easy task to do. Take the bottom tray and put it inside the machine. Ensure the suction cups are intact, and that’s it.
When you turn on the machine, it will utilize vibrations to distribute cannabis evenly to the pre-rolls. Vibrating pre-roll machines' benefits are that the cones won’t be inconsistent, and the possibility of air pockets and weak necks is minimal.
The vibratory system is isolated with a 10-gallon liner. After you turn on the vibratory system, you can adjust the vibration levels according to your needs. After the 30 to 45-second cycle, you must manually turn off the machine, remove the tray from the machine, and place it in the loading box.
You should leave the bottom tray together with the ready pre-rolls in the loading box and remove the top tray. The direct funneling system reduces product waste and limits variance, typically between 5% and 10%.
If you want to learn about the process in detail, check out their product manual and the video below.
STM Mini-RocketBox Pre-Roll Machine Live Demo December 2021
Quality and Consistency
The machine itself is made out of highly durable materials like 304 stainless steel and aluminum. The life cycle of the MiniRocketBox is 10 years, of which you have a one-year warranty on parts and labor.
The automated machine allows faster and more efficient pre-roll production with minimal waste. The innovative design, with varying vibration frequencies, produces evenly packed pre-rolls with high quality.
Maintenance
The maintenance of the STM Mini-RocketBox is easy. Here are some practical tips:
The bottom plate, trays, and loading box can be vacuumed.
Each tray should be cleaned with soap and water.
Isopropyl alcohol (70% or more) can be used for the stainless steel components.
The cleaning schedule should be adjusted to the frequency of use.
Remember that proper maintenance can prolong the machine’s life and ensure you get high-quality products with each use.
Upkeeping
Regarding troubleshooting, you should refer to the instruction sheet that comes with the machine. If you can’t find a solution to the problem, we recommend calling the STM technical support line or sending an email.
Economic Considerations
The basic package of the STM Mini-RocketBox at the time of writing cost $6,600. Compared to its closest competitors, the machine might have a heftier price, but if you ask us, it offers a higher potential return on investment, and here is why.
On a typical day, the automated machine can make up to 11,000 pre-rolls in one day. The production per cycle is three to four times higher than the average pre-roll machine. By increasing the number of pre-rolls produced daily, your company could benefit from a higher return on investment.
Additionally, you will reduce labor and overhead costs because one person is more than enough to monitor and work with the automated machine.
Additional costs
Here are the costs of any additional equipment you might want to consider getting according to your needs.
| Product | Price |
| 70mm dog walker kit with 1 tray for 72 pre-rolls and prefilter | $150 |
| Dog walker rod kit | $450 |
| 98 slim rod kit | $450 |
| Extended warranty | $660 |
| 143-joint bottom or top tray | $575 each |
| 72-joint bottom or top tray | $517.25 each |
| Mini Loading box | $402.5 |
Regulatory Compliance
As a business, you must provide your employees with a safe workplace. As you might be aware, your facility must work in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act, or OSHA.
If you decide to purchase the STM Mini-RocketBox pre-roll machine, you don’t have to worry about federal regulations. The product is OSHA-compliant and safe to use.
Also, the Mini RocketBox pre-roll machine has the following listed components:
CE and EAC listed motor
UL and CE listed VFD
UL listed plug
Pros & Cons
Our STM Mini RocketBox review wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t weigh the pros and cons.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Pre-weighing is not needed | Constant human intervention and monitoring is needed |
| Adjustable dial for ultimate filling and packing control | It is on the pricey side of the palette |
| Regulatable fill volume | External time measuring is needed |
| No tamping | |
| Suitable for both large and small companies | |
| Makes consistent joints | |
| Can be used for various joint sizes | |
| Easy to use | |
| Portable | |
| 98% customer satisfaction rate | |
| Produced by an experienced manufacturer | |
| Made out of durable materials like stainless steel | |
| OSHA compliant |
Full Run with the Mini-RocketBox PLUS+ Commercial Pre-Roll Machine
Challenges and Future Directions
The STM Mini-RocketBox makes only one process of cannabis production easier. If you want to automate your production fully, you should consider purchasing other automated solutions.
Other automation machines are specifically made for grinding, loading, packing, weighing, and closing pre-rolls. Once the pre-roll is done, you should consider infusing it with concentrate for a smoother burn and better taste.
You can infuse the pre-rolls with our best robotic solutions, Jiko and Jiko+.
Source: trimleaf.com
Conclusion
All things considered, the STM Mini-RocketBox is definitely worth the money. It produces consistent pre-rolls, one of the most important things for your business.
As we explained in our STM Mini-RocketBox review, the main advantages of the automated machine are its compact size, ease of use, and efficient solution for producing pre-rolls. Looking at the bigger picture, the pros outweigh the cons.
Before purchasing the automated machine, assess whether the Mini RocketBox’s capabilities will meet your production goals and lead to good ROI.
