Pallet Wrappers: Instant Packaging

Imagine how life would be like in a warehouse or storage facility without pallet wrappers. It would probably take several minutes just to get a single one done considering that there may be hundreds or even thousands coming in every day. These have indeed become an indispensable item in the workplace. Find out more how they work and other important details.

What Are Pallet Wrappers?

Pallet wrappers are a piece of equipment that specifically wraps pallets, crates or boxes using a stretch wrap or film. The pallet is simply placed on a round platform base which mechanically rotates. During rotation, film will be stretched and wrapped around the entire pallet for a finished package. The idea of wrapping pallets is to enhance stability and integrity of stored goods especially when shipping items to distant locations or storing for longer periods of time.

Installation and Use

A typical pallet wrapper has a film tower, control panel and turntable. You can immediately start the machine by plugging it into a wall outlet. You place a roll of stretch film to prepare the wrapping procedure. The film should be available at your source or dealer. Place the pallet or load on the turntable then tuck or position the end of the film onto one end or side of the load. When all is ready, you press the button to start rotating the turntable which will unravel the stretch film roll and wrap the pallet.

There are some types of stretching techniques to ensure that all loads are wrapped properly. You may need to lubricate the machine every now and then to avoid mechanical failures. Check that the tension is stable and snug to maximize film usage. You'll be able to save more on costs if you conserve film and maintain the machine well.

Wrap Terms and Options

A pre-stretch refers to the mechanical stretch produced by the carriage. This is important during the initial phases of wrapping to save film and optimize the wrapping process. A post-stretch refers to the stretch coming from the film force. The film force is the actual tension in the film as it wraps around the pallet. Film feed refers to the supply or availability of film at the right varying rate. All these should be checked before, during and after each wrapping procedure so that every package remains compact and stable. There are different types of film as well and you may like the idea of saving anywhere from 30% to 60% if you use high-performance film. This does not break or tear easily and the stretch is almost always suitable to the wrapping process.

There are also a number of wrap options you can choose depending on how you want each pallet to be packaged. The most common would be the manual cycle which may require some assistance in the part of the worker to ensure that the film goes properly around the pallet. There are automatic cycles that go up and down or up only. Some machines are programmable that they can simultaneously wrap the bottom and top part of the load.

Additional Features

A mechanical brake is usually present in most pallet wrappers to secure the film in place and properly manage film tension to avoid tearing. Film rolls can vary in terms of diameter and height so check the right measurements first before purchasing a new one. Most wrappers have digital interfaces wherein you can select the dimensions of the film and package. Upon placing the load, pallet wrappers usually display the actual weight too.