The biggest cost driver in stretch wrapping is in-transit damage incurred by loads that were stretch wrapped ineffectively. One of the best ways to stretch wrap well is with a stretch wrapping machine. In fact, we've talked about some of the problems with hand wrapping pallets before, and often the biggest issue with hand wrapping is that machines are just better at wrapping loads than people are.
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However, as much as machines are capable, they're not as smart as you. They can't decide:
More than likely, film used for hand wrapping won't work as well on a machine. You've got to consider the gauge, pre-stretch, and material of the film. Talk with a distributor in your area, who knows as much about machines as he does film.
The top, middle, and bottom layers of your load need to all have the correct amount of containment force, which is the film tension multiplied by the number of film layers. Containment force is what holds the load together. The right amount of containment force depends on the type of load you're wrapping. Is your load heavy, light, or unstable? Heavy loads may require more containment force and light loads may require less.
The top, middle, and bottom layers of your load need to all have the correct amount of containment force, which is the film tension multiplied by the number of film layers. Containment force is what holds the load together. The right amount of containment force depends on the type of load you're wrapping. Is your load heavy, light, or unstable? Heavy loads may require more containment force and light loads may require less.
The way the load is wrapped depends on your stretch wrapper's settings. You need to choose the number of top and bottom wrap counts. You must also decide the wrap force settings and how much overwrap you want applied on top of the load as well film delivery system's speed and the rotation speed of the turn table or wrap arm.
If the load needs special attention or reinforcement at some spot.
You may need to secure partial layers with the roping technique or you may need to band ' apply multiple layers of film to one spot on the load.
Stretch wrapping machines have the potential to greatly increase a pallet load's chances of arriving in as made condition. They simply do a better job than people at consistently wrapping loads to wrap standards. However, human beings do have a place in the stretch wrapping process. With a bit of research and practice people can work with their stretch wrapping machines to make sure their loads have the best chance of reaching their destination in as made condition.
Make sure the machine you buy will get the job done. A good rule of thumb is always not to guess, but to test. Get help if you're not sure.
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A stretch wrapper is a great addition to your shipping operation, especially when you're handling more than 50 loads per day. The right stretch wrapper can save labor hours, provide a safer environment for your employees and properly wrap your pallets for safe and damage-free shipping to your customers.
Whether you've outgrown your current stretch wrapper or are considering one for the first time, it's important to weigh your options carefully to find the best fit for your needs and budget.
To get the most benefit from any stretch wrapping machine, you'll need to be sure it is rated to handle the number of loads you plan to stretch wrap each day. Some turntable stretch wrappers can only handle 20 loads per day and will quickly wear out if you push them beyond their recommended capacity.
It's best to buy a more robust stretch wrapper than you think you might need, to give your shipping operation room to grow. For example, if you currently wrap and ship 20 loads per day, opting for a machine that can handle double that capacity is a solid investment.
Also keep in mind that many stretch wrappers with added capacity may also provide additional features such as a ramp or built-in scale.
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Most stretch wrappers have a difficult time wrapping irregularly shaped loads. These might include items that need to be placed on longer pallets, forged metals, oddly shaped fabricated parts and more.
The reason these items are so difficult to wrap is that they don't conform to the same dimensions as a typical pallet. Turntable or straddle stretch wrappers wrap the load around the perimeter of the pallet, so there's no way to secure oddly shaped items. It can also be difficult to stretch wrap objects that are short and flat.
If you plan to stretch wrap any of these items and don't want to handle the task by hand, consider an orbital stretch wrapper that wraps the load from top to bottom, securing elongated, short, flat or oddly shaped loads with ease.
Consider the typical weight of the products you ship. Are many of them either very light or very heavy?
The most common type of stretch wrapper uses a turntable that turns the pallet during the wrapping operation. Turntable stretch wrappers aren't typically a good choice for very light items, since the turning motion (typically 12 to 15 rpm) causes light loads to fall off the pallet.
A straddle stretch wrap machine that keeps the pallet stationary and applies the stretch wrap with a moving arm may be a better choice if you ship many light loads.
A turntable stretch wrapper is also a poor choice for loads that exceed lb., unless the machine is rated to handle the extra weight. Straddle style stretch wrappers and orbital wrappers are better suited to handle heavy loads. Be sure to check the weight capacity of any stretch wrapper you're considering, if you typically ship large or heavy items.
Most semi-automatic stretch wrappers require human intervention to begin the wrapping process. This means that a worker must first place the pallet on the turntable, and then manually configure the stretch wrap to begin the wrapping operation. Some models also require cutting the stretch wrap when wrapping is complete.
On the other hand, a stretch wrapper with full-automation requires much less human intervention. Usually, the worker does not need to exit the forklift and can activate the wrapping process with a remote switch. The only time it's necessary to handle the stretch wrapper is when the stretch wrap breaks or needs to be refilled.
So which should you choose?
That's going to depend on your needs and budget. Semi-automatic units are typically less expensive, but you need to weigh that cost savings against the extra time and effort your workers will expend getting the machine setup for each load.
For example, if you stretch wrap 400 loads per week, it will take an average of 20 hours with a semi-automatic stretch wrapper. You'll likely complete the same number of loads in just 10 hours with a full-automation model, a labor of savings of 50%.
Consider any mobility requirements you have for your stretch wrapper. Will you need to move it from one section of the warehouse to another or do you have a dedicated area where it is likely to stay?
Both turntable and orbital stretch wrappers can be moved quite easily from one place to another and either are a great choice if you require frequent mobility.
While straddle stretch wrappers offer many advantages to a shipping operation, they are stationary by nature, making them very difficult to move. Straddle stretch wrappers need to be bolted in place to function properly.
As you can see, there are many factors to consider when choosing the right stretch wrapping machine for your shipping operation. To make sure your new machine is an asset you'll appreciate for years to come, carefully consider the number of loads you wrap each day, as well as the types of loads you'll need to wrap. Then factor in your needs for automation and portability to find a machine that offers the best balance of function and versatility.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Horizontal Film Wrapping Systems. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.