The Top 8: Selecting the Perfect Pallet Wrapping Machine

HOW TO SELECT THE PERFECT PALLET WRAPPING MACHINE FOR YOUR NEEDS. TOP 8 QUESTIONS TO ASK.

Selecting a 

If your business already needs to wrap pallets for transportation, two key goals to work towards are:
1. Make savings in 
2. Increase pallet wrapping efficiency. And if you&#;re just starting on pallet wrapping, these questions will help you determine what pallet wrapper would suit your requirements:

 1. How many pallets do you wrap per day?
Current and projected production levels are very important in helping to determine the appropriate machine. Different wrapping machines offer different top end revolutions per minute. Revolutions per minute and total wraps required per load will factor the maximum production levels of a machine.

 2. What are the largest pallet dimensions to be wrapped?
It is important to purchase a pallet wrapper to accommodate the largest pallet being wrapped. This will require a length, width, and height measurement. Tall pallets may require an extended mast machine, while wider and longer pallets may require a larger base. Pallet wrapping machines have different weight capacities. The weight of pallet loads also determines what type of pallet wrapping machine you require.

3. Does each pallet need to be weighed?
Built-in scales in the turntable of a pallet wrapper allow you to weigh the pallet while wrapping to avoid double handling. Choosing a machine with a scale is much more affordable than choosing to add a scale after the machine is received. Other questions that should be considered include, what is the maximum weight needed for the scale; and, if a printed weight receipt is required.

4. Do you want a pre-stretch head to reduce stretch film usage?
Power Pre-stretch refers to the process of stretching the pallet wrapping film before it is applied to a pallet load. We recommend purchasing a 

5. Where will the machine be located for operation?
The external environment around the machine can affect performance. Machines placed in cold room storage can often require different lubricants. Machines placed in areas of high dust can sometimes require additional covers and protection. High humidity can require more frequent maintenance. Be sure to identify the type of environment before selecting a pallet wrapping machine.

 6. Will the pallet be loaded onto the pallet wrapping machine turntable with a pallet truck or forklift?
If you load your pallets on the turntable with a pallet truck, the low profile




 7. What machine features do you need to maximize wrapping efficiency?
There are a range of extra machine features available to increase the level of automation, including:

• The &#;Cut and Seal&#; feature, unique to the Superplus machines. Film is automatically applied to the pallet at the beginning of the cycle. At the end of the wrapping cycle, the film is cut and heat sealed. This eliminates the need to manually attach and cut the film.
• Motus Fix, Superplus and Inline pallet wrapping machines are available with a remote control feature. This allows you to operate the machine without the need to leave the forklift.

8. What colour of stretch film should be used?
It is important to determine if the film being used will be clear or coloured, or black or clear. This determines the type of photo-eye needed on the pallet wrapping machine. Dark coloured loads and
 
This guide is designed to help with understanding the sorts of considerations to examine when you are looking to invest in, or upgrade your pallet wrapping machine. Making the right choices can have a significant effect on your costs and plastic use.

Get in touch with one of our pallet wrapping specialists today to find out more and book a

Selecting a pallet wrapping machine is an important decision. Given the huge range of machines available, all with specific features relevant to different circumstances, it can be hard to know where to start. This guide is designed to help explain some of the key questions to ask when you&#;re choosing the right pallet wrapping solution.If your business already needs to wrap pallets for transportation, two key goals to work towards are:1. Make savings in pallet wrap film plastic reduction2. Increase pallet wrapping efficiency. And if you&#;re just starting on pallet wrapping, these questions will help you determine what pallet wrapper would suit your requirements:Current and projected production levels are very important in helping to determine the appropriate machine. Different wrapping machines offer different top end revolutions per minute. Revolutions per minute and total wraps required per load will factor the maximum production levels of a machine.It is important to purchase a pallet wrapper to accommodate the largest pallet being wrapped. This will require a length, width, and height measurement. Tall pallets may require an extended mast machine, while wider and longer pallets may require a larger base. Pallet wrapping machines have different weight capacities. The weight of pallet loads also determines what type of pallet wrapping machine you require.Built-in scales in the turntable of a pallet wrapper allow you to weigh the pallet while wrapping to avoid double handling. Choosing a machine with a scale is much more affordable than choosing to add a scale after the machine is received. Other questions that should be considered include, what is the maximum weight needed for the scale; and, if a printed weight receipt is required.Power Pre-stretch refers to the process of stretching the pallet wrapping film before it is applied to a pallet load. We recommend purchasing a pallet wrapper with a pre-stretch head to save on film costs. However, we suggest the use of a machine without a pre-stretched head if a pre-stretched film is to be used on the machine.The external environment around the machine can affect performance. Machines placed in cold room storage can often require different lubricants. Machines placed in areas of high dust can sometimes require additional covers and protection. High humidity can require more frequent maintenance. Be sure to identify the type of environment before selecting a pallet wrapping machine.If you load your pallets on the turntable with a pallet truck, the low profile Plana pallet wrapper is a good solution, as its turntable is only 18mm high. It also has a 270° access ring to the turntable. It can save space as it eliminates the need to have 3m long steep inclined ramps you will need with standard machines. If you load your pallets on the turntable with a forklift, regular wrapping machines with an 86mm high turntable will suit.There are a range of extra machine features available to increase the level of automation, including:It is important to determine if the film being used will be clear or coloured, or black or clear. This determines the type of photo-eye needed on the pallet wrapping machine. Dark coloured loads and black stretch wrap can throw off a standard photo-eye. Some stretch wrappers may need a black photo-eye or a laser sensor to properly wrap loads.This guide is designed to help with understanding the sorts of considerations to examine when you are looking to invest in, or upgrade your pallet wrapping machine. Making the right choices can have a significant effect on your costs and plastic use.Get in touch with one of our pallet wrapping specialists today to find out more and book a FREE no obligation 14 day onsite pallet wrapping machine trial.

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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.

Isn&#;t it just a choice between semi-auto and automatic?

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.

When it comes to stretch wrapping, pallet size matters

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.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website paper roll wrapping machine.

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.

The 15 questions you should be asking

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.

1. What are you wrapping?
2. How are you doing it now?
3. How many loads a day?
4. Are you experiencing shipping damage? If you are, what is the damage caused by?
5. Will the load rotate and stay intact?
6. What pallet size do you use?
7. How tall do you stack your product?
8. How much would the heaviest pallet weigh?
9. How much would the lightest pallet weigh?
10. Do you have a requirement to weigh your loads? If yes, why are you weighing them (quality control, accurate bill of landing for less-than-truckload carriers, etc.)?
11. How would you load the pallet on the stretch wrapper? Pallet jack or forklift?
12. Do you have partial layers (random items thrown onto the load that would need to be secured via hand wrap)?
13. Does the product overhang the sides of the pallet? If yes, by how much?
14. How many pallets would you be wrapping each hour or total in a day?
15. Are you operating 1, 2, or 3 shifts?

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.

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This post was published on July 26, and updated on November 22, .

Here are some important questions you&#;ll want to consider before your next purchase of a semi-automatic stretch wrapping machine.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Orbital Packaging Solutions for Logistics. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.