Stretch Film (Stretch Wrap) Buyers Guide - What you need to ...
Stretch Film (Stretch Wrap) Buyers Guide - What you need to ...
Guidelines to buying stretch film?
- &#;I don&#;t have time, just ship it out!&#;
(A costly decision!)
For more information, please visit SMART WASP.
- Yes your stretch wrapper is running
(but it is probably NOT working)
- Marriage,
(the overlooked key to stretch wrapping success!)
- Stretch film and how it relates to the stretch film equipment?
- Is all stretch film created equal?
- What are the most important criteria in choosing a stretch film
I don&#;t have time just ship it out!
Stretch packaging your finished product for safe shipment is the last process on the production line and thus is often overlooked as an area of cost (and savings).Stretch packaging your finished product for safe shipment is the last process on the production line and thus is often overlooked as an area of cost (and savings).
When we think of stretch wrapping, it is usually in the sense of &#;wrap it up and get it out&#;. In our haste to get the product out the door, we typically don&#;t give it much more thought than that. This can be an extremely costly mistake. Just throwing stretch film over a pallet does not make it unitized and safe for transport. Or you might be applying much more than required with. In fact in the end you could be throwing out thousands of dollars of stretch film that could easily be saved.
Yes, your stretch wrap machine is running (but it is probably NOT working)
Unlike some other equipment on a packaging line, a stretch wrap machine will continue to run and apply stretch film even though the machine has stopped prestretching the stretch film
.In fact, nearly 60% of all stretch wrap machines evaluated are typically operated far below acceptable efficiency levels. This not only increases the amount of stretch film applied (and thus your packaging cost) but it also dramatically reduces the strength and holding power of the stretch film, resulting in shipping damage due to packaging failure.
How much more stretch film?
&#;One particular customer saved over $150,000 per year in Stretch Film.&#;
It is very important to understand the basic fundamentals of prestretching the film to be able to realize that huge potential for cost (and savings) increases in this part of your business. It is worth the 5 minutes of your time to review our section of stretch wrap basics. It will ensure that you know more about the process than the salesman selling it to you.
Was this load wrapped with a properly functioning stretch wrap machine?
It looks good, but this pallet load will fail on the customer&#;s floor because the stretch film was not prestretched to the required level to obtain the required strength. The point is that although the load looks good it will fail during transit and you simply cannot determine this by looking at the load.
- Are the required load retention forces created by proper prestretching of the stretch film present?
- Have you applied too much film and are actually damaging the product with the stretch film?
- Are you spending too much in stretch film because your vendor simply does not have the necessary grasp of equipment to determine what the issues are?
Find out how efficiently your stretch wrap machine is operating!
It WILL save you money!
Marriage, the overlooked key to stretch wrapping success!
Stretch film is a raw material whose capabilities are not optimized until properly stretched (Important, see stretch film basics for more info). You can buy the most expensive high performance stretch film on the market, but if your stretch wrap machinery is not prestretching the stretch film at the required level, then your costs skyrocket and your pallets are subject to shipping failure. One simply does not work without the other. It is absolutely critical that you (and your supplier) understand how your stretch wrap machinery and the stretch film work together to create the prestretch film that is required to unitize your product.
If your supplier is not technical enough to review, troubleshoot, and correct issues with your equipment to maximize this marriages efficiencies then find another supplier. He will cost you money in the long run. It is this marriage that maximizes your film strength and holding force while minimizing your stretch film costs!
Stretch film and how it relates to the stretch film equipment?
Stretch film products react differently based on how they were manufactured or the properties of the materials used to produce them. See the stretch film basics section for an overview of these properties.
- You may find a supplier that will sell you a great 2-sided cling stretch film at 3 cents a pound less than your current price. However, your specific stretch wrap machine may not be properly configured to run that product efficiently.
- Or you may find a great deal on a blown stretch film with extra cling, but putting such a stretch film on a high speed wrapping system will surely have the stretch film screaming off the roll and bring the noise level above allowable DB levels in your plant.
- Some carriage designs require that the tacky side of the film be against the prestretch roller to help grip the stretch film during the stretching process, however this may mean that the tack ends up on the outside of the pallet instead of the inside where you require it.
You must understand what your specific requirements of the stretch film are so that you do NOT get &#;a deal&#; that costs you more than the 3 cents you saved. If your particular equipment cannot consistently prestretch the stretch film to your minimum requirement to contain your pallet loads then paying 3 cents less for the film has actually cost you money.
Is all stretch film created equal?
NO! Deciding what you require of the stretch film determines the type, grade, and performance characteristics required of the stretch film. If you are a believer of the old adage &#;Stretch film is just stretch film&#; then you are probably not getting all the benefits, performance, and economies out of your stretch film. See the stretch film basics section for more info on the different performance characteristics of the various stretch films.
Are you interested in learning more about Online Stretch Pallet Wrapping Machine? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
What are the most important criteria in choosing a stretch film?
The ONLY reason to buy stretch film is to ensure your product is safely unitized to get from your dock to your customer&#;s floor in a manner that is satisfactory to your customer. Some important criteria to consider in choosing a stretch film are:
- Optics
- Cling
- Tear resistance
- Puncture resistance
- Thickness Consistency
- Noise
- Gloss
- Load profile & height
- Load weight
- Storage location (UV?)
- Production speed
- Stacking pattern
- Product value
- Transport distance & method
- Equipment type
- Labeling & bar coding
- Cost
These criteria all have to be weighted before deciding on the correct stretch film for your specific application.
Do not let salesmen cloud the key requirements of your application with a smoke and mirrors presentation that speaks only to prestretch capability or cost. Do your homework first to make sure that any stretch film that is offered meets all the other criteria you have. This way you will ensure that your package meets your customer&#;s requirements.
>> Guidelines to buying stretch film.
>> Guidelines to choosing a stretch film supplier.
Guide to Pallet Wrapping Machines
SInce the Plastic Packaging Tax was introduced in , many businesses have assessed their packaging materials and have looked at ways to reduce how much plastic packaging they use and whether to switch to recycled options. When it comes to pallet wrap and stretch film, using less of a higher quality film is often an effective solution. Switching to stretch wrap with recycled content is another popular option. But one area that shouldn&#;t get overlooked is the pallet wrapping machine itself.
The right stretch wrap film combined with the right pallet wrapping machine will increase your packaging efficiency, improve pallet stability and reduce plastic use &#; which can deliver significant cost savings in terms of materials purchased and any PPT liabilities. Selecting the right type of machine for the task and keeping it regularly serviced is essential to make your pallet wrapping as efficient as possible.
Below we explore everything you need to know about pallet wrapping machines and how to choose the right pallet wrapper for your packaging operations.
How to select a pallet wrapping machine
First of all, define your pallet packaging goals. Your options other than hand wrapping are automatic or semi-automatic pallet wrapping. Equipment of this type is an investment, so think big picture and consider how many loads you might be wrapping in five to 10 years. Choosing the right pallet wrapper for your business will maximise your return on investment.
What am I wrapping?
The size, weight and variability of the goods you are packing will affect the pallet wrapping machine you choose.
Variable height goods may need to be wrapped horizontally on rails to ensure they are adequately secured on the pallet. Stable, lightweight cargo can be used with rotating wrap. Unstable or heavy loads will be better handled by rotating arm machines.
Types of pallet wrapping machine
- Turntable &#; a stretch wrapping system that places a load on a turntable. It rotates to dispense the wrapping film. This is ideal for light &#; mid weight stable loads.
- Rotary Arm/ Ring &#; The pallet stays stationary while the wrapping head rotates around the pallet. This is ideal for the high-speed wrapping of lighter more fragile loads and heavier less-stable loads.
- Stretch Hood Machines &#; stretch hood technology uses the elasticity of tubular plastic film that gets stretched and then released around the pallet load. Ideal to secure uneven or unstable loads, without the need to heat the film.
What additional features do I need?
Semi-automatic and automatic wrapping machines can be fitted with customisable options depending on the model you choose. Features like electric pre-stretching functions help to minimise film consumption while add-ons like film dispensers for anti-dust or anti-rain coatings can speed up operations.
Pallet wrapping machine troubleshooting
Pallet wrapping machines are designed to make pallet wrapping quick, hassle-free and efficient. The right stretch film combined with the right pallet wrapping machine will ensure efficiency, plastic reduction and cost saving. However, there are three key areas where packaging and logistics businesses may trip up:
- Using the wrong film. This can include the wrong type of film, or the wrong gauge, meaning pallets are not entering the supply chain wrapped optimally.
- Using too much film.A common mistake is to apply too much stretch film with the mistaken idea that more will help create stable pallets. Using the right film with the right tension often means that less is more.
- Incorrect machines settings. Even when the perfect film for the pallets to be wrapped has been specified, you won&#;t get optimal performance if the settings on your machine are incorrect. For example, film may not be being stretched properly, which will in turn affect performance.
Essential maintenance for pallet wrappers
Pallet wrapping machines are a business asset and just like a fleet of vehicles, regular servicing is essential to prolong life and ensure optimal operation. Visual checks should be performed every day with the below carried out every 4 &#; 12 weeks depending on usage:
- Regular lubrication &#; all moving parts should be cleaned and well lubricated according to the user manual.
- Inspect and clean the sensors or photocells. Avoid using harsh chemicals as this could cloud the sensor housing unit.
- Check the drive system for worn or damaged belts and chains. Don&#;t wait for a break to replace well-used parts.
- Check the stretch-wrap tension on a test pallet and recalibrate if necessary..
Lindum offer a wide range of pallet wrapping machines and pallet wrap dispensers to suit for your specific packaging requirements. Our team of experts are here to advise and help you choose the right machine and film combination based on your needs, taking into account your warehouse environment, pallet volume and variability of pallet size and load style.
If you need help choosing a machine or want more information about our pallet wrappers, just give us a call or use our online contact form.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit High Speed Fully Automatic Pallet Wrapping Machine.