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Purchasing a stretch wrapper doesn&#;t have to be a complicated, painful process. However, spending some time answering a few, simple questions can help you find the right machine that balances your needs, budget, and efficiency.
Yes, you&#;ll need to choose between a semi-automatic or automatic stretch wrapping machine. However, there can be a surprising amount of variability and options within each of these categories. We have 15 questions below that will help you and your stretch wrapping machine rep navigate those options, but understanding why you should answer them is important.
Things like pallet size, load height, and load weight can have a big impact on which machine will work best.
If the pallets you normally use are larger than the commonly used 40-by-48 in pallets, you might need a larger turntable or wrap zone. Using pallets that extend past the turntable or wrap zone can be dangerous, so it&#;s important to get the right size.
Your load height also has an impact on the size of machine components. For instance, the standard wrap height on a semi-automatic stretch wrapper in 80in tall. If your loads are going to be taller than that, they you will need to consider an extended mast.
Extremely light or extremely heavy loads also should be taken into consideration when looking at options. A stretch wrapper with a top platen is sometimes used to stabilize or hold down light or unstable loads.
While a straddle style wrapper with a wrap arm that rotates around the pallet is more appropriate for extremely heavy (greater than 5,000 pounds) loads.
Each of these 15 questions will help you narrow down your stretch wrapping machine requirements, and help you focus in on the options you might like to add.
Get more information on the key decisions around buying a semi-automatic stretch wrapper collected in one compact, easy to read guide. Download our free Stretch Wrapper Buying Guide now.
Link to Eopac Machinery
This post was published on July 26, and updated on November 22, .
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.
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.
Interested in learning more about our stretch wrappers? Check out our stretch wrapping fundamentals today!
Contact us to discuss your requirements of pallet wrapper with top platen. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.