What is Stretch Wrapping and Which Method is Right for Your Operation?
Although there are a number of uses for stretch wrap, one of the primary purposes is to bundle and secure cased pallet loads for shipment. Stretch wrapping creates a single large bundle, using tension to secure the cased pallet contents together. This method greatly improves the ease of transport and shipment while preventing products from being damaged. Using stretch wrap for securing pallet loads offers increased protection from product damage, helping to ensure that the product being shipped arrives at its destination as intended.
Methods for Stretch Wrapping
Manual Stretch Wrapping
Although stretch wrapping by hand, or manually, requires the least amount of equipment investment, it can also be the least effective when taking into consideration desired results. Because this method requires an individual to manually wrap the pallet by pulling a roll of film around the pallet multiple times, as you can imagine, it is difficult to maintain consistent tension and film usage.
Semi-Automatic Stretch Wrapping
As the name implies, semi-automatic stretch wrapping offers a degree of automation to the process, increasing the consistency of the wrap tension, film usage, and ultimately the security of the pallet load. Semi-automatic stretch wrappers come in a variety of different styles, from the turntable and straddle style to robotic. Turntable models will wrap the pallet load by rotating the pallet while the film wrap moved on a vertical plane during the process. Conversely, both the straddle style and robotic solution rotate the film around the stationary pallet in order to accomplish the task. Semi-automatic stretch wrapping systems can offer a high degree of pallet load wrap consistency at a reasonable investment.
Fully Automatic Stretch Wrapping
Similar to semi-automatic stretch wrapping, fully automated machines carry out the stretch wrapping process of the pallet load automatically. The primary distinction with an automatic machine is that it will include both an infeed and exit conveyor to transport the pallets through the system. Fully automatic stretch wrapping systems typically require a more substantial investment and are normally used in processes that require a high volume of throughput.
Choosing the Right Stretch Wrapping Machine for Your Needs
When it comes to choosing the right technology and stretch wrapping machine for you and your business, there are a number of considerations to keep in mind. Besides the volume or number of pallet loads you intend to wrap in a given shift or day, it is important to also consider flexibility for the future. In addition, the required financial investment and floor space investment should be considered. You will want to make a decision that both increases your throughput and efficiency today, while not limiting your options in the future.
Meet the Motion 2.0 Automatic Stretch Wrapper
The updated Motion Automatic Stretch Wrapping machine shows high-frequency charging and five new height options.
Main Features of the Motion 2.0 Stretch Wrapper
2 AGV batteries of 12 V – 110 Ah in series
- High-frequency charger inside the machine
- Load height reading with photocell
- Wrapping height 2200 mm. (with 5 additional height options)
- Alarm signaling
- Opening for forklift right/left
- Keyboard lock (optional touchscreen)
- Average film consumption (for MPS-MPS2 on request)
Check out this video to see the Motion 2.0 stretch wrapper in action.
At Custom Pak Solutions, we have a variety of stretch-wrapping solutions for a wide range of applications. Our expert staff would be glad to speak with you about your application as we work to understand both your needs and goals and help you determine if we offer the right solution for your specific requirements.