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.
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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.
This post was published on July 26, and updated on November 22, .
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Want more information on Turntable Fully Automatic Pallet Wrapping Machine? Feel free to contact us.
Learn MoreProtecting your inventory during shipment is a critical step to ensure products get to their destination without any issues. Not only are shipping mistakes costly, but they can ruin your reputation.
Adding a stretch wrap machine to your warehouse floor increases the chance of keeping your shipments safe and can help inject more efficiency into your daily operations. Let’s explore stretch wrappers and learn all about how they can benefit your facility.
Stretch wrapping is critical to ensuring the products on a palletized load safely make it to their destination. The tension and protection from the stretch wrap keeps product tightly grouped together.
But you can’t haphazardly wrap a pallet and hope for the best. You need to wrap your loads properly, or else they might shift during transit. This can cause damage to goods, material handling equipment and even workers.
Adding a stretch wrapper to your warehouse can add consistency to your wrapping and keep goods and workers safe. It can also:
Stretch wrappers can take care of the repetitive task of wrapping palletized loads. They differ in the ways they wrap loads and what steps are machine-driven, but the end result is always the same — better warehouse efficiency, shipment protection and safety.
Stretch wrap machines come in a few different configurations. The main variable you’ll need to understand to find the right equipment for your warehouse is the types of loads you need to unitize.
This is why having material handling equipment experts on your side can streamline the purchasing process. On that front, East Coast Storage has your back. We can walk you through your options, take stock of your specific needs and connect you with the affordable equipment you need to get the jobs done.
To help you along your journey, let’s explore the two main types of stretch wrappers you’ll see on the market today.
As the name implies, semi-automatic stretch wrappers take care of most, but not all, of the wrapping task. Workers will still need to load and unload the pallet as well as manage the operation of the machine.
Within the category of semi-automatic stretch wrappers, two main types exist:
Fully automatic stretch wrap systems usually include a conveyor system to streamline the loading and unloading process. The conveyor will move the pallet into a wrap zone where a robotic arm revolves around the load, wrapping it securely.
A fully automatic system can add extra efficiency to your daily warehouse operations but tend to be the most costly option for stretch wrapping. They work well with fairly uniform product. If your warehouse tends to deal with non-uniform palletized loads often, a semi-automatic wrapper gives your team more control over how the machine wraps loads.
While you can wrap pallets by hand using a specific stretch wrap, it’s not the easiest and most efficient way to secure a load. Hand wrapping is reasonable in environments where only a handful of pallets need unitizing on an average workday.
If wrapping pallets is a critical step in your everyday operations, a machine wrapper is vital. Hand wrapping can get the job done, but with some serious downsides:
In almost every warehouse environment where stretch wrapping pallets is common, a semi-automatic or fully automatic system is key to optimizing daily operations. Just be sure to implement best practices when using stretch wrappers to keep your workers safe.
In almost every warehouse environment where stretch wrapping pallets is common, a semi-automatic or fully automatic system is key to optimizing daily operations.
A good stretch wrap system combines both the stretch wrapper and the right stretch film. When choosing the correct film, you’ll be flush with choices.
Knowing which film to use will not only help keep your pallets secure but also your equipment safe.
When it comes to machine wrap, you’ll often see a few choices:
Those are just a few film types you’ll see on the market. In reality, you’ll find many more options, including specialty films, films for hand wrapping and other types like no-cling.
Put simply; containment force is the hugging pressure that keeps a palletized load securely together. As you might imagine, it’s vital to understand this concept as it will mean the difference between a safely secured load and one that shifts during transit.
Another related measurement to consider is the gauge. Stretch films will come in different sizes and gauges. Standard gauges range from 60 to 150 gauge. Generally speaking, the higher the gauge, the more strength.
By understanding gauge and containment force, you can determine precisely what size film to use, and how many layers of film a pallet needs to stay secure.
With all of these variables in play, finding the right stretch film can feel challenging. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
If you can, explore the manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific machine. You can also connect with material handling experts, like our team here at East Coast Storage Equipment, to help guide the decision-making process.