The pallet wrapping system is one of the most popular systems available, but there is a wide range of pallet wrappers on the market, with very different features, brands and objectives. As experts in packaging systems, in today's article we present a guide with several points to choose the pallet wrapper that best suits your production and packaging objectives.
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This is the turning point when choosing a type of industrial wrapping machine as their performance and objectives are very different:
For low production (max 20-30 pallets/hour) and a non-automated end-of-line, the semi-automatic pallet stretch wrappers are ideal. There is a wide range of models and versions with very different features, but the most common one is the pallet stretch wrapper with turntable, usually versatile but robust, as it allows wrapping both light and heavy pallets.
If the company needs to wrap more than 30-40 pallets/hour, we recommend using automatic stretch wrappers, even if there is no automated end of line as such. This is often the case for companies that have grown in their final production and generate bottlenecks in their automatic wrapping process. For this purpose, there are automatic pallet wrapping machines with rotating arm or with wrapping ring that can wrap 100 pallets or more per hour.
The answer is usually not simple: Even if a company has a low-medium production, if it has problems with its pallet packaging, it should consider automating it. Some of these problems can be logistical and affect delays, or occupational hazards in personnel or transport damage caused by incorrectly applied packaging.
In the following article we address the most common problems with manual or semi-automated packaging and the keys to automation:
Why automate the end-of-line packaging? Solving the problems of manual end-of-line processes
From the cost of wrapping a pallet manually, at the price of the operator's hourly rate and the film used, through the use of a semi-automatic pallet wrapping machine controlled by an operator, to the installation of an automatic wrapping line. The range of prices varies a lot from one system to another, but it is also necessary to see what use is going to be made of the wrapping machine. We could set some price ranges according to the type of stretch wrapper:
Semi-automatic industrial wrappers can be rented or leased for peak pallet wrapping work. At Innova Group, for example, we offer a rental and financing service for this type of semi-automatic turntable wrapping machines for pallets.
The price of a semi-automatic pallet wrapper can vary greatly depending on quality, origin, performance, accessories, etc. You can find pallet wrappers on the market from 4.000 USD to 20.000 USD, a very wide range. Often a cheap industrial pallet wrapper is expensive if it needs a lot of maintenance. And vice versa, with a higher-priced industrial wrapping machine it is also necessary to take into account that all the features included are needed for our production.
Some of the most common extra features of semi-automatic wrappers:
Within the automatic wrapping machines there is also a wide range depending on the characteristics of the installation and the production objectives. For low to medium productions, the automatic rotating table or rotating arm wrappers have a lower cost than high production wrappers such as the ring wrappers. Even so, in the section of automatic pallet wrapping machines, the difference between them is not usually very big, since apart from the performance of each one, they all require an automated installation, i.e.: installation and connection to the factory conveyor line, pallet conveying vehicles, connectivity to the company's PLC, etc.
Once the production needs and budget available for the investment in a pallet wrapping machine have been defined, it is necessary to look at the objectives sought in the packaging. The choice of one type of pallet wrapping machine or another depends on this:
When the packaging requirements are to get the best securing, it is advisable to look for industrial stretch wrappers with pre-stretch system, adjustable tension and also reinforcement cord at different heights for maximum stability. Automatic stretch wrappers can save much more on film because they have control devices to optimize film usage and adjust the wrapping cycle for maximum hold.
Pallet wrapped with semi-automatic pallet wrapper and roping device.The pre-stretched film fulfills its function of holding the load, but it does not have as much elasticity as the stretch film. With the passage of time, pre-stretched film may lose grip and elasticity because the stretching process has not been carried out in a way that adapts to the load.
With Stretch film, the stretch wrapping system is in charge of stretching the plastic with the prestretch system in such a way that the film adapts to the shape of the load and holds it in place. Therefore, we recommend using automatic stretch wrappers with pre-stretch system to optimize the use of film and improve the stability of the palletized goods. For example, Innova Group's Cyclone pallet stretch wrapper can stretch the film up to 400% with its stretching system.
For maximum protection against external agents, a pallet wrapper with cover application is recommended to protect the top of the load. This system is usually found in Automatic Stretch Wrappers, either incorporated in the structure itself (as in the case of ring stretch wrappers) or with an additional complement to apply the cover automatically (in the case of automatic arm or turntable stretch wrappers).
The wrapping cycle itself also provides almost airtight protection on the sides with automatic wrapping programs that reinforce the wrapping from the base of the pallet to the top of the load.
In the fourth and final point, we address another issue that many customers are considering when investing in automated packaging. For greater load protection, many companies that have palletized product in bags or bulk bags are choosing the Stretch Hood option. This is the case for the Chemical, Building Materials and Cement industries. The main motivation is to obtain a higher quality packaging that offers impermeability and total protection for a product that cannot be damaged by external agents. In addition, Stretch Hood also saves on film consumables by using less film than a pallet stretch wrapper.
It is also the case of ceramic companies with large production that require greater tightness and better product presentation than the one offered by the industrial pallet wrapping machine. In this case, the ceramic end of line usually combines securing systems such as strapping with Stretch Hood wrapping protection.
We recently carried out a comparison of the Stretch Hood Wrapper vs. Stretch Hood System in which we analyzed all the factors in which one system or the other would be preferable:
Comparative between packaging systems: Stretch Hood vs. Stretch Wrap
For more information, please visit Film Pallet Wrapping Machine.
In short, there are many essential factors when choosing one packaging system over another. Although budget often rules, it is important to take into account the objectives of product securing but also to solve current packaging problems or avoid future ones.
Our team of packaging specialists can advise you on which system is most suitable for your company, as well as carry out a study of film and consumption savings without commitment.
Tags: Packaging
In the packaging industry, stretch film is essential for securing products, organizing shipments, and reducing worker injury during shipping and handling. Made from linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), stretch film is a sturdy yet thin plastic with a strong cling. Its elasticity acts as a rubber band, tightly securing products to pallets for easy shipment.
When it comes to stretch film and stretch wrap equipment, there are many different styles, gauges, and methods of application to choose from. Below is a rundown of common types of stretch wrap equipment that can cater to your operation.
Ideal for smaller operations that wrap up to ten pallets a day, manual wrapping is done by hand. The stretch film is applied around palettes by an operator who loads, wraps, and unloads everything themselves. While time consuming, hand wrapping stretch film can be more cost effective for smaller operations, rather than investing in a stretch wrap machine.
Semi-automatic wrapping requires operators to interact with a pallet stretch wrapper machine at the beginning and end of the wrapping process. The operator must attach the stretch wrap to the pallet load so that the machine can wrap the entire pallet securely and make appropriate adjustments depending on the load profile. Once the stretch wrapper machine is finished, an operator must secure the tail of the stretch wrap and move the wrapped pallet to its next location to make way for the next pallet load.
This equipment is great as a transitional machine if your operation is growing and moving away from a manual stretch wrapping system. This is ideal for operations that wrap ten or more pallets per day.
Besides the amount of pallets your operation may be handling, there are three different styles of semi-automatic stretch wrap machines for pallet wrapping you should consider.
High Profile: This machine uses a turntable which is higher off the ground to make forklift use easily accessible. With the additional height of this style, forklift operators can easily move pallets on and off the turntable.
Low Profile: In contrast, the low profile style has a turntable that is lower to the ground. Ramps are used to load and unload each pallet load from the turntable instead of a forklift.
Rotary Arms: The third style utilizes a rotary arm that can move around the pallet, instead of the pallet moving around the stretch wrap. This is ideal for heavy pallets that can not be moved using a forklift or ramp.
Depending on the size and scale of your packaging operation, one style of stretch wrapping equipment may be more beneficial than another.
Automatic stretch wrapping does not require any operator interaction with the machines. Pallets are loaded, wrapped, and unloaded automatically. An automatic stretch wrap machine will increase efficiency, cutting down on time and cost of labor. These are ideal for larger operations that handle and ship large quantities of palletized loads.
Automatic pallet wrapper equipment offers two different styles to fit the needs of your operation.
Floor Automatics: These machines are ideal for warehouse use where products are being moved from warehousing to shipping. Floor automatics are more economical than conveyorized automatics.
Conveyorized Automatics: These machines function at the end of a conveyor line where the stretch wrapping machine sits above the conveyor line and wraps pallets as they move down the line.
While automatic pallet wrap systems may be ideal for larger operations, small businesses can benefit from an automatic stretch wrapping machine as well.
In one instance, a small Wisconsin operation was struggling to find workers to palletize their product. After an assessment, it was determined that an automatic stretch wrapper would be beneficial in the operation's success. Ultimately this automated pallet wrapping machine was able to apply stretch film, dispense pallets, and increase productivity and efficiency to deliver their products on time.
There are three types of stretch wrap systems used in the wrapping process. These systems can be incorporated into semi-automatic or fully automatic systems depending on the scope of your operations.
Turntable: The turntable system involves a pallet being placed on a rotating platform that spins the pallet load as stretch film is applied to the pallet. The stretch film is usually applied from the base of the pallet to the top and then back down again for additional security. These are the most common types of stretch wrap systems and can be versatile to fit your unique operational needs.
Rotary Arm: Also called the straddle wrapper, this system uses a stretch wrap delivery system that wraps around a stationary load. The stretch film is applied horizontally and is ideal for loads that are unstable, fragile, or heavy.
Orbital: This system is also referred to as ring wrapper and is similar to the rotary arm in which the pallet is stationary while the stretch wrap delivery system moves. The stretch film in the orbital system wraps the pallet over and under usually as the load moves through a conveyor. This system is ideal for flat loads like doors or pipes.
Whether you wrap two pallets or 200 pallets a day, finding the right stretch wrap equipment is essential to ensure successful business operations.
With so many different types of stretch wrap equipment available, it can be difficult to know which one to choose. Group O can help your business assess your needs to determine which type of stretch wrap equipment is right for you. For more information call (866) 476-.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Fully Automatic Pallet Wrap Machines.