Custom Automation Redefining Cannabis Pre-Rolls ROI: The RollPros Advantage

Can a machine really master the art of rolling a perfect joint? In an exclusive interview with Benzinga, Kyle Loucks, founder and CEO of RollPros, talked about the transformative power of he Blackbird Rolling System, the challenges and engineering feats behind its development and the diverse applications and potential ROI for cannabis businesses.

A product engineer and cannabis enthusiast, Loucks recognized the challenge of consistently rolling joints and created the Blackbird System, an automated solution that is reshaping the pre-roll market for businesses worldwide.

Revolutionizing Pre-Rolls: The Technology Behind The Blackbird Rolling System

Loucks discovered that manually filling cones from the top resulted in inconsistent joints due to the material properties of the flower and “bad runs,” which led him to develop a machine the size of two college-sized refrigerators, that mechanically compresses and rolls fresh, sticky flowers, ensuring a consistent product.

The system utilizes a belt mechanism to encapsulate the flower and apply radial compression, enabling it to handle fresh, sticky flowers effectively.

Additionally, RollPros sources paper directly from a French paper mill, eliminating middlemen and reducing the carbon footprint. Customers can choose from different paper grades, making the machine both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

"The biggest challenge, from an engineering perspective, was the handling of sticky cannabis material,” Loucks said, discussing the engineering challenge behind the machine's design.

Managing the material effectively while avoiding friction and heat posed difficulties. Iteration and simplification of the handling process were key in overcoming this challenge.

"We keep friction and heat away from the flower at all costs,” Loucks said, highlighting the importance of avoiding heat to preserve cannabis qualities.

As for sealing the joints, the machine uses a transfer sponge mechanism. It involves a water basin filled with distilled water, a wick for moisture, and a transfer sponge that wets the glue line accurately, ensuring a secure seal.

Loucks also explained that the company collects data from each machine, using it for proactive customer service outreach. They monitor production numbers and error rates to assist customers when needed, ensuring efficient machine performance.

"I taught myself how to code to write the initial firmware script," he added.

Cannabis Production Efficiency And ROI With Diverse Offerings

So, what about the return on investment (ROI)?

"With one machine, you can get upwards of a quarter million joints a month if you run it in shifts,” Loucks said, in reference to the scalability of the machine for larger operations, offering substantial production potential.

Furthermore, the machine offers flexibility and diversification in the types of joints it can produce. Customers can customize the joint size, ranging from 0.4 grams to over 1 gram, by changing the crutch diameter.

Likewise, customization options for paper tips, including logo designs, are available. The machine can handle infused materials by blending them into the flower, accommodating various product offerings.

The Blackbird is also equipped with a scale to ensure precise measurements, weighing the flower before any paper is added, accurate to 0.01 grams.

Currently, the machine is designed for mid-level cannabis producers, offering a throughput of 750 to 1,000 joints per hour, or even larger operations running multiple shifts to produce up to a quarter million joints a month. However, the machine it's flexible and can cater to small businesses that use it for occasional runs.

"The medium-sized companies, they are the ones that have dedicated operators and they're able to run it for 8 hours a day. Those guys typically can get between 80,000 and 100,000 joints. And then there are the bigger operations," Loucks said. "With one machine, you can get upwards of a quarter million joints a month if you run it in shifts. I've got operators running two and sometimes three shifts on the machine, seven days a week. Some customers have multiple machines and multiple shifts.”

Automated Pre-RollIing As A Service

Loucks also mentioned that customers have the option to provide pre-rolling as a service to other farmers. This way customers can achieve ROI in six months operating from a mobile setup, and rolling joints for local farms with minimal overhead.

He described how some farmers operate with a truck and trailer, unloading the machine at various farms. “They roll up approximately 40 pounds of cannabis, preparing joints for each customer, then roll the machine back into the trailer and move on to the next farm. This efficient setup allows them to serve all the smaller farmers in their area,” Loucks said.

All Photos Courtesy Of RollPros.