If your business involves packing several small or big boxes for onward logistics, stretch wrap machines can be an indispensable addition to your packing line. Depending on the type, size and volume of your packages, you can choose from a wide range of stretch wrap machines from the manual as well as fully automatic variants. Automatic stretch wrap machines are ideal for high-end users with a large volume of packages to be wrapped every day or at regular intervals. But, when you have limited volumes requiring wrapping you can choose semi-automatic or manual machines.
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Stretch wrap machines
can significantly enhance the volume of wrapping you can achieve every hour. Depending on your specific needs, buying a stretch wrap machine can be expensive or affordable because there are several variants that you can choose from. Fully automatic machines are designed for high-end users who have large volumes of packages needing to be wrapped every single day. Semi-automatic or manual machine just cannot the speed or volume for such applications.
Fully automatic machines for stretch wrapping
When you choose a fully automatic machine for stretch wrapping you will also find a pre-stretch carriage that helps in ensuring a reduced quantity of film being used. When you continuously get more from the same roll of film, it also enhances your pay-back period for the investment made in the stretch wrap machine. The turntable attached to a fully automated stretch wrap machine is 1500 mm in diameter and can accommodate as much as 2 tons of payloads. A convenient touch screen helps in controlling the speed and aligning it with a particular type of load. Loading the turntable is also very convenient since it sits just about 85mm above ground level. The base frame is provided with two sleeves that are convenient for forklifts to pick and relocate the machine when needed. The mast of this machine is 2400 mm and the film speed can be chosen according to your needs and you can also set the overlap for each rotation according to what you need.
An electronic sensor is available with the fully automatic machines to help move the completed package allowing space for the incoming load. The overhanging film on top of the package can be simply dialled up and you can set the number of wraps needed at the bottom and top. You can even pause the operation when you need to put a top cover on the package and start the wrapping process again for securing the top cover and protecting the package from water and dust for the entire load.
A convenient touch screen is provided with most of the fully automatic machines to control different parameters of the wrapping operation. The touch screen is also provided with a memory recall so that you can use the same settings for similar packages that need wrapping.
For specific guidance, you can also contact the specialists who can also demonstrate different applications of the machine and ways to economise the use of the stretch film itself.
Stretch wrapping pallets
Some businesses move their goods through pallets, particularly when the consignment travels across continents and suffers physical handling multiple times across the journey cycle. When you are shopping for a stretch wrap machine pallet for such applications, you should know that independent control for the stretch roller is available only with certain brands. These controls are very convenient for adjusting the stretch roller to match the load that needs wrapping. Think of a tall package that contains only plastic ware. In this case, though the package itself may be large, it cannot exert the required force for pulling the film out of the carriage because of the low weight of the content of the package. The pre-stretched film is your best option to address this situation, and some machines offer up to 300% stretching which allows light laying with the limited force coming from the load itself.
In a different situation, the load can have unconventional dimensions or be particularly heavy and pre-stretching may not be needed to wrap such load. But, the different parameters of the wrapping process may need to be adjusted to suit the particular load. If you are using quality stretch film, the stretching process will be secure and slow to hold the package properly. Most of the automatic and semi-automatic machines are pre-programmed to align the speed of the turntable and the speed with which the film is released. This helps in keeping certain parts of the control in your own hands rather than allowing the machine to take all the decisions.
Stretch film
Once you have decided on the type of stretch wrapping machine, you should also focus on the stretch film itself. Stretch films are offered in a wide range of shapes, sizes and quality. Stretch films are either cast or blown. Cast film is produced through the extrusion process and typically has multiple layers providing for varying thickness, orientation and elasticity. The grade of plastic employed in making the stretch film will also impact the quality of the stretch film you get. You should ensure that the stretch film is produced out of virgin plastic to ensure that you have a trouble-free experience.
Conclusion
The packaging industry has been evolving continuously and technology is also keeping pace with such evolution. Keep yourself abreast of these changes to get the best out of the latest developments.