Packaging Machinery Buyer's Guide: Stretch Wrapping Machinery
Stretch wrap is one of the most commonly used packaging materials across the globe. Hundreds of thousands of companies stretch wrap millions of pallets of product every day. While many companies rely on physical labor from human employees, stretch wrapping machines are a staple in high production packaging lines and even smaller companies who want the cost savings and related benefits of using a stretch wrapper.
That being said, what are the benefits of using a stretch wrapper? Who is a good fit for a stretch wrapping machine? Which type of machine is best for your company? Follow me into the article below and we will stretch your knowledge to its maximum capacity.
Human Labor VS Stretch Wrapping Machines
Many companies start palletizing with hand stretch film (AKA hand stretch wrap) that is applied by manual labor via a tool called a stretch wrap dispenser. A roll of stretch wrap is loaded onto the device (see picture below) and the handle is held by the operator of the stretch wrap dispenser.
The stretch wrap is usually tucked between the corner of two boxes or at the edge of the pallet to hold it in place. Next, the person doing the wrapping walks in a circle around the pallet, continually keeping tension, until the pallet is completely covered with stretch wrap from top to bottom. The goal is to keep the products contained within safe during travel. When finished, the wrap is cut or torn from the roll and stuck to the pallet as the rap will stick to itself.
Many companies utilize this device in thinking that it is less expensive than using a machine to do the work, however, depending on what you are paying the employees who work this job, that may not be the case. Manual labor does not always produce consistent or proper load containment nor does it maximize the stretch of your wrap, which creates more waste.
The problem here is that hand stretching is far slower and a human can only stretch the wrap at an average of 10% to 20%. Machine applied stretch wrap applies 200% to 300% to the stretch length, consistently! So while at first glance it may seem you are saving money over the purchase of an expensive machine, you are losing money on materials with every pallet wrapped. In many cases, the total cost of ownership for a stretch wrapping machine will be less costly than relying on manual labor.
But how do you figure out if manual labor or machine wrapping is a better choice for your business? That is where having a professional analysis of your packaging line and the related processes comes in. Reaching out to a local packaging vendor and requesting an analysis of your packaging materials and machinery or lack there of will provide you with data on how you are currently doing things.
By comparing the data from the analysis on your current packaging processes and looking at the numbers when comparing human labor versus the use of a machine, you will be able to see which of these two options makes the most sense for your business.
Want to see the ROI of investing in an automated pallet wrapper?
Types Of Stretch Wrapping Machines
OK, so you have done your homework and now you have decided that buying a stretch wrapping machine is the right choice for your business. But which type of machine should you buy? When beginning the journey of shopping for a stretch wrapping machine, you will soon discover that there are a few different types of machinery for this application.
First of all, you will need to decide if you want a manual, semi-automatic or automatic stretch wrapping machine*. An automatic stretch wrapper takes a pallet and automatically puts it in the wrap zone where it is wrapped based upon the settings of the control system. When completed, the pallet moves down a conveyor to the end of your packaging line. As your fully wrapped pallet completes its journey, the next pallet is automatically being conveyed into the wrap zone.
*There is also another option called "simple automation". This option includes cut and clamp capabilities so that operators don&#;t have to get off their fork trucks to run the control panel. They also can drop the pallet onto the wrapper and the machine pushes it onto a roller conveyor. See the video below...
On the other hand, manual and semi-automatic stretch wrappers necessitate an operator to complete various tasks associated with the wrapping of pallets including but not limited to loading and unloading the equipment and making continual adjustments to the machinery.
1. Turntable Wrapper
With this particular machine, the pallet is put on a turntable that spins while a wrap delivery system allocates the stretch wrap to the load being wrapped. The wrap delivery system generally begins at the bottom of the load and wraps up to the top and back to the bottom. Turntable wrappers are one of the most popular kinds of stretch wrapping machine and can be set up to work well with various types of applications.
2. Straddle Wrapper
With straddle stretch wrappers the load stays immobile while a wrap delivery system spins around the load being packaged. This kind of wrapper can wrap unstable, light weight, and heavier loads and is capable of wrapping from low to high volumes.
3. Orbital Wrapper
An orbital wrapper (also known as a "ringer") wraps a pallet by going over and under the load being packaged as the load travels on a conveyor into the machine. Orbital wrappers are primarily used for packaging flattened, or oddly shaped items such as pipes, rolled carpets, windows, etc.
4. Ring Straddle Wrapper
Ring straddle wrappers are fast wrappers which are generally able to wrap 200 loads per hour. These machines are often found in the toiletry and beverage industries. These machines are extremely specialized devices and only make up a small portion of the stretch wrapping machines currently in use.
Choosing The Right Stretch Wrapping Machine
Now that you have some idea about the different types of stretch wrapping machines, you need to ask yourself a few questions to identify which machine is right for you.
1. Volume Of Stretch Wrap Used
How much stretch wrap do you go through in a month? Taking a look at your monthly/annual volume of stretch wrap will give you an idea of which if any machine is right for your needs. Not sure how much stretch film you are going through on a monthly basis?
Reach out to a packaging machinery expert and ask for an analysis of your packaging line. This report will provide you with insights into your current stretch wrapping practices and if they need to be altered to produce a more productive and efficient line.
2. Amount Of Products Wrapped
The amount of products you are packaging on a regular basis will give you some indication of the volume of stretch wrap you are using. If you are not already tracking this information in conjunction with a detailed KPI report, you will want to consider developing and implementing one ASAP. Not sure where to start? Again, reaching out to a local packaging expert and asking for an analysis of your packaging line will help you to gather all the data you need.
3. Budget For Packaging Machinery
Professional packaging machinery is not cheap. It is a major investment for many businesses. Once you have researched all the information above and have had a professional analysis of your production line completed by your vendor of choice, you will be able to review all of the information and identify if a stretch wrapping machine is a good investment for your company.
4. Purchasing The Right Stretch Wrapping Machine
Once you have done all the proper homework and chosen the right type of machine for your packaging line, you will need to identify a brand of machinery to buy. When you are ready to make a purchase but are unsure of which brand you would like to buy, you have two options...
One option would be to independently research at least three brands of machinery who offer the type of machine you are looking for and compare the cost, quality and serviceability of each machine. You will also want to seek out reviews from other customers to gauge which machine is or is not a good fit for your needs.
Once you have identified a brand, make and model for the machine you are interested in, you will want to get quotes from at least three local vendors for the machinery AND service and supply options. Keep in mind the services they offer and the quality of service you receive on your initial calls. Keeping these items in mind will help you determine the right fit for your business needs.
If you are not excited at the prospect of doing so much time consuming research on multiple brands of packaging machinery, you may want to consider buying from a distributor instead of an OEM. Where OEMs will usually tell you their machines are "the best" and provide information with little transparency, a distributor who sells multiple different brands is less concerned with selling you on one brand of machine, and more concerned with helping you choose the right brand, make and model for your particular needs.
Conclusion
Buying a stretch wrapping machine for your business is a big deal. It is a large investment in your company and it is not something you should rush into without being educated on in regards to all the dynamics mentioned above. When you are ready to begin the process of buying packaging machinery, consider reaching out to your local packaging expert for guidance.
Once you have chosen and purchased the machinery for your line, you will want to ensure that it is always running at peak performance with little to no downtime. In conjunction with a preventative maintenance program, a stretch wrapping machine can help your production line to reach it's ultimate performance while maximizing the capabilities of your stretch wrap.
Choosing the best pallet wrap machine for your business
If you are responsible for a pallet wrapping operation you&#;ll know only too well that your choice of machinery can make an enormous difference to your operational efficiency and costs, to the amount of plastic film you use, and to the load stability and safety standards you achieve.
However, the wide choice of automatic and semi-automatic pallet wrapping machines available on the market today, and the huge amount of information provided by their manufacturers, can make it very challenging to identify the pallet wrapping machine that best meets your needs. This short guide aims to help you through the selection process by suggesting the questions you should consider, and providing some of the information you&#;ll need to help answer them.
What is a pallet wrapping machine?
So what is a pallet wrapping machine? In essence, it is a machine that holds a roll of plastic film and applies it to a pallet, either by circling around the pallet, or by rotating the pallet on a turntable. Pallet wrappers can be loosely divided into 2 main categories &#; Core Brake machines and Power pre stretch machines. You can read a lot more about their differences, and the pros and cons of each in our pallet wrapping guide.
Click here to view our palletwrapping guide
What type of pallet wrapping machine do I need?
Every pallet wrapping situation has its own challenges and nuances which, combined with the variety of different machines on the market, can make it hard to know where to start. We recommend that you begin by considering the following points:
Stability of load before wrapping. Can your load be moved at all before it is wrapped? If not, you&#;ll need to choose a pallet wrapping machine that can handle this
Load stability. Can you be confident that the machine will keep your load secure and safe on its pallet from the time it is wrapped until the time it&#;s unwrapped, no matter how it is treated during handling, transit and storage?
How much will it cost you to wrap each pallet, once you&#;ve taken all costs into consideration?
Plastic waste. How much single-use plastic will the machine use to wrap a pallet?
How much available space do you have in which to wrap the pallets?
Can you wrap all your pallets in fixed locations, or will you need to move your pallet wrapping location around?
The most common pallet wrapping machines with advantages and disadvantages
Manual Pallet Wrapping machine
Generally the cheapest pallet wrapping machine type, this option is entirely mechanical and requires no electrical supply.
Advantages
Low initial outlay
No requirement for electrical supply
Very easy to use
Turntable Semi-Automatic Pallet Wrapper &#; Core Brake
The most basic of all motorised pallet wrapper machines, this option has a couple of advantages but many drawbacks &#; as you can see below:
Advantages
Low initial outlay
Can be moved using a fork lift truck
Disadvantages
No Power Pre-Stretch System (which means a higher cost of wrapping)
Ineffective when wrapping light items, as load stability is gained by increasing the tension as the film is applied to the pallet
Uses a lot more plastic than necessary to wrap pallets
Although it can be moved, it&#;s not designed to be moved on a regular basis
Turntable Semi-Automatic Pallet Wrapper &#; Power Pre Stretch
These are often the most efficient, and therefore popular, machines on the market. When optimised properly these machines take some beating &#; as you can see from the pros and cons below:
Advantages
The power pre-stretch head stretches the film in the head before it is applied to the pallet, creating better load stability when optimised.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Pallet Wrapping Machine Cost.
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Minimises film used per pallet
Easy to set up and use
Can be moved with a fork lift truck
Low maintenance
Can be set up with many different programs to meet the needs of different pallet load types
Disadvantages
Has a large footprint so needs more space than some other types of machine
Can generally only be used in one location.
Low Profile Turntable Semi-Automatic Pallet Wrapper &#; Power Pre Stretch
These machines have all the advantages of the Turntable Semi-Automatic Pallet Wrappers, but with the added benefit of having a very low profile, meaning that pallets can be placed on the turntable very easily.
Advantages
The power pre-stretch head stretches the film in the head before it is applied to the pallet, creating better load stability when optimised
Low profile enables loading using pump trucks or PPTs
Minimises film used per pallet
Easy to set up and use
Low maintenance
Can be set up with many different programs to meet the needs of different pallet load types
Disadvantages
Has a large footprint so needs more space than some other types of machine
Can generally only be used in one location
Can not be moved easily once installed
Rotary Arm machines &#; Core Brake
These models feature a machine head that circles the pallet, rather than the pallet turning on a turntable, so are great for situations in which pallets are transported on powered pallet trucks or when loads are very unstable prior to wrapping.
Advantages
Allow easy access when using PPTs
No base at all &#; so pallets can stay on the floor
Small footprint
Disadvantages
No Power Pre-Stretch System, which means a higher cost of wrapping
Not effective at wrapping light items as load stability is gained by increasing the tension as the film is applied to the pallet
Rotary Arm Machines &#; Power Pre-stretch
With Rotary Arm machines, a machine head circles the pallet rather than the pallet turning on a turn able, which means they are great for situations in which pallets are transported on powered pallet trucks or when loads are very unstable prior to wrapping. The power pre-stretch head also delivers excellent load stability, but these machines do still have their pro&#;s and con&#;s:
Advantages
Allow easy access when using PPTs
No base at all &#; so pallets can stay on the floor
The power pre-stretch head stretches the film in the head before it is applied to the pallet, creating better load stability when optimised.
Minimises film used per pallet
Easy to set up and use
Can be set up with many different programs to meet the needs of many different pallet load types
Disadvantages
Large base footprint
Often a more expensive option
Cannot be moved once installed
Robot Pallet Wrapper
The latest in the pallet wrapping innovation &#; the Robot follows the contours of the pallet and literally &#;runs&#; round the pallet wrapping it as it goes in much the same way as a human would. Robot pallet wrappers have a lot more advantages than disadvantages.
Advantages
Easily movable, so can be used anywhere that pallets need wrapping
Battery operated, so don&#;t need a local power supply
Wraps pallets of any shape and size as the robot follows the contours of the pallet
Power pre-stretch head ensures that film usage is minimised when optimised
Disadvantages
Pallets need some space around them to allow them to be wrapped.
Spare battery required to avoid downtime.
Whichever machine type seems right for you, you&#;ll only realise its full benefits if it is set up correctly with the right film, and is fully optimised. Find out more about how our expert consultants can help with this contact us on 242 , or visit our website here
Your Complete Guide To Buying Packaging Equipment
How To Choose A Packaging Machinery And Materials Supplier:
When it comes to choosing a supplier for your packaging materials and machinery, it is important to do your homework and ask yourself a few questions. You should investigate at least three different suppliers and learn about several important dynamics from each of them.
Location
It is a good idea to choose a packaging machinery supplier who is relatively close to your geographical location or can easily travel to you. This will have an impact on your business when there is a need for repairs or emergency service for your equipment. Pick a supplier who is in another country and you may find yourself dead in the water for days on end. Choosing a supplier with technicians who are local is always a smart idea. When it comes to your materials, you don't have to be as worried about the physical location as most supplies can be shipped timely.
Technicians
It is important to choose a packaging machine supplier with experienced and certified technicians who are professionally trained to work on your packaging equipment. Without the proper certifications, you are taking a chance with your equipment. You could end up paying big when risking service with non-certified techs.
Customer Service
It may be tempting to source the cheapest packaging materials in an attempt to save money, but if you buy from a company with poor customer service, you may end up losing the anticipated savings anyway. Poor service often means lost dollars. Check out reviews of each vendor and if possible, reach out to current customers and ask about their vendor's customer service and if they would recommend buying from them.
Cost
There is an old saying in the packaging industry and that is "shrink film is shrink film". While there are some brands with flashy marketing and sales gimmicks with a premium price, chances are, there are several less costly alternatives that are of equal quality. If you are looking for comparisons, there are generally low-cost films that have lower clarity and higher-cost films that will shine more and have better clarity. Choosing an inexpensive film may cost you in shelf presence.
Snake oil and elevator pitches can blur the line between reality and illusion. At the end of the day, you will want to purchase from an honest supplier who carries multiple offerings at different price points and provides superior customer service.
Parts
Depending on how often your machinery is running, your downtime due to repair needs or emergency service will vary. As time is money, it is important to ask your machine supplier about lead times, parts availability, and preventative maintenance programs.
Ask each potential vendor what their average response times for emergency calls are. In most cases, it should not be more than 24-48 hours.
Which Packaging Materials Should You Use?
Different types of machinery require different types of materials and utilize different amounts of materials based on the make and model of equipment. For example, while you can save money upfront by purchasing a manual L-Bar Sealer, your cost of goods will likely be higher as a more expensive automatic sealer will generally use less material than the manual machine because the machine will generally be optimized to do so.
That being said, the quantity of product that you will be producing must also be taken into consideration. An automatic sealer won't be the right machine for a small business that is only running a couple of thousand items or less each week.
This is due to the fact that each model is designed to work with specific maximum and minimum capabilities and materials. Every machine is different. Your packaging line's unique needs must be taken into consideration when choosing the appropriate machine for your application. This can result in higher production costs if your choice of machinery cannot run thinner gauge shrink film. Using thinner gauges of shrink film can result in significant cost savings.
Conclusion:
Buying packaging machinery is a major investment. The various dynamics of choosing machinery include; safety, budget, physical layout, electrical supply, materials, and a whole host of considerations that can make your head spin.
When moving forward with the buying process it is important to start by reviewing the appropriate KPIs with an emphasis on safety first. Next, you will want to be sure to complete the packaging machinery pre-investment checklist. After filling out the information in this valuable tool and getting your results back, you will want to move on to getting quotes from at least two or three vendors.
Getting an analysis of your packaging department and collecting data on your current machinery, manual labor, materials, physical footprint, electrical requirements, production levels, types of products and the other important dynamics of running a safe and productive packaging line is key.
Once you have been able to fully analyze every aspect of your packaging line, asking for quotes from each of the vendors you are giving an opportunity to quote will provide you with peace of mind that you are going get the best deal and receive the best of what each vendor has to offer.
In addition to requesting information and pricing on the packaging machinery you are looking to purchase, be sure to also acquire information about the cost of service, installation, any training available, supply, and repairs. Ideally, you should consider getting a quote for a long-term preventative maintenance plan as this type of program will ensure that your machinery is always running at peak performance and that downtime will be limited when it does occur.
Once you have chosen a vendor to buy from, meeting with your representative and reviewing the machinery offerings that they have will allow you to open a conversation about pricing. Here you can ask about special offers, rebates, additional options, leasing versus buying, and other related dynamics that will help you to get the best price and best plan implemented for your specific budgetary restraints and packaging line needs.
Finally, it would do you well to schedule quarterly, bi-annual or annual meetings for review with your chosen vendor's sales representative and one of their maintenance technicians.
This will allow you to review data from one meeting to the next and identify places where your machinery and materials could be improved upon to further reduce your cost of production, increase speed to market, create greater efficiency and produce a superior performance on your packaging lines KPIs.
Once you have purchased your new machinery and have worked with your chosen vendor to install the machinery, train your operators, and all else has been said and done, be sure to schedule your first review before your representative leaves your building.
If you heed the information in this guide, we assure you that you will make the best possible choice of packaging machinery for your packaging department. Furthermore, you will be able to ensure the purchase and implementation of the best materials for your products and may rest assured that you have done everything in your power to have the best possible packaging line for your business.
Should we not have produced answers to some of your questions or content that is crucial to your particular needs in regard to buying new machinery, contact us directly. Your voice can help others in your position in the future!
Our dedicated packaging professionals can and will answer any questions that have not been answered by this guide. In addition to what you have read here, we invite you to peruse our blog which is absolutely packed to the brim with useful information, free tools, and quality content that will make for a highly useful adjunct to this guide.
Last but not least, you will find a selection of free tools below that will help you on your journey to finding the best packaging machinery for your packaging line.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit China Pallet Shrink Wrap Machine Factory.
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