The Benefits Of Automating Your Pallet Wrapping Process

Stretch wrapping machines are an easy, fast, convenient and efficient way to wrap your pallets ready for the carrier network. Offering a securely bound load beneath a watertight layer of film, pallet wrapping prevents movement of your goods during transportation which can cause damage to your products. Although some low volume operations wrap their pallets manually, there are many advantages to automating the process, as outlined below.

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Compliance and consistency

Complete load stability is important in light of the EU Directive /47, which governs the securing of cargo with stretch film for the transportation of pallets. The legislation dictates that all pallets transported within the EU must conform to a stringent set of tolerance limits in response to movements of the vehicle.

Cargo securing shall withstand the following forces resulting from accelerations/decelerations of the vehicle:

• in driving direction: 0,8 times the weight of the cargo and

• in lateral direction: 0,5 times the weight of the cargo and

• against driving direction: 0,5 times the weight of the cargo,

• and in general must prevent tilting or tipping of cargo.

It goes on to say that all pallets must maintain stiffness (with the maximum elastic deformation no greater than 10% and the maximum permanent deformation no more than 5%) when subject to horizontal inertia forces such as those created by a turning vehicle. There could be grave health and safety consequences if a heavy, poorly secured pallet were to collapse in transit, as well as a criminal liability case to answer. By using a pallet wrapping machine, you can ensure that total load security, as defined by the directive, is always achieved. The machinery will deliver consistently wrapped pallets with adequate film coverage for total load integrity, in a way that cannot be matched in a manual operation. Furthermore, for vulnerable pallets containing abnormally shaped cargo or products at risk of slippage, like sacks, a number of features can be employed to enhance their stability, including film roping and film tensioning programmes and and film pre-stretch settings for added robustness. Using a pallet wrapping machine correctly guarantees full compliance with the EU directives in place.

Reduced film consumption

Automating your pallet wrapping process with machinery usually reduces the amount of film used considerably and can therefore also save on costs. Machinery can exert a greater stretch capacity on pallet wrap film than an individual can when handling it manually, whilst still maintaining its integrity. This allows you to achieve more wrapped pallets per each roll of stretch film your business uses. Our range of stretch films have a stretch ratio of up to 400% versus standard hand wrap films which can be far, far less. Using significantly less stretch film equates to a cost saving as you will need to purchase fewer rolls.

Labour savings

Cost savings can also be achieved in terms of labour as the equipment can match speeds that rival the work capacity of several operators, representing a short payback on your investment. Additionally, total consistency is guaranteed when using a stretch wrapping machine compared to a hand-wrapping set-up. The equipment ensures that every part of the pallet is wrapped adequately and evenly, avoiding areas of the pallet being overlooked or more film being used than is required.

Operator health and safety

Automated stretch wrapping equipment can be beneficial for more than just your production efficiency and your profit margins. Manual pallet wrapping poses several risks to your operators from hazards associated with bending, lifting, repetitive movements and trips and slips. By trading the heavy lifting for the touch of a button, these common health and safety pitfalls can be avoided.

The company is the world’s best Pallet Wrapping Automation Systems supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Next steps

Looking to improve your stretch wrapping procedures? Our team can visit your site and carry out a through audit of your needs. This involves a survey of your bespoke requirements to improve performance and reduce wastage, including stretch ratio, micron, operator capacity and warehouse layout. We will also calculate exactly how much it costs you to wrap each of your pallets and show you where and how savings can be achieved. Our team can also conduct dedicated stretch film trials with your palletised products. Following our investigation, you can rest assured that the pallet wrapping solution we supply or recommend will meets all of your needs perfectly. Call today to book in your audit.

Pallet wrappers are specialized stretch wrapping machines designed to secure your pallet load for shipping. There are many reasons why you should consider investing in a pallet wrapper and avoid the many risks that come with hand-wrapping pallets. Here are some of the reasons you should invest in a pallet stretch wrapper:

1. Improved Load Containment

Load containment is always a top priority for shipping products on a pallet. Your pallet may be placed on a less-than-truckload (LTL) shipment, which means there is more room for the pallet to shift. Even full loads may allow for product movement on a truck, train, or ship. A pallet wrapping machine provides a more secure wrapping solution. Not only are the product cases wrapped better together, but the load is secured completely to the pallet. This allows for minimal shifting during shipping.

2. Reduced Product Loss

Improved load containment leads directly to the second benefit, which is reduced product loss during shipping and distribution. More securely wrapped pallets minimize damaged cases and products. This can save you a great deal of money over time, while providing fewer headaches for loss prevention personnel.

3. Consistent Uniformity

One major advantage of pallet wrapping machines is the consistency and uniformity of the stretch wrapping. You no longer have to rely on hand-wrapping and all the human error involved. Hand-wrapping is like painting in an expressionist format. No two wraps are the same, even if you are wrapping the same set of products over and over again. Using a machine means more consistent results&#;pallet after pallet. Automated equipment removes the human element and often provides better quality.

4. Versatility

Pallet wrapping machines can adapt to different packages, shapes, and shipping requirements. The machinery can be programmed to handle a variety of pallet configurations and provide the specific results you need for each and every pallet. In other words, there&#;s no more &#;eyeballing it&#; from hand-wrappers when there are different types of product pallets to be wrapped.

5. Operational Efficiency

A pallet wrapping machine can wrap pallets in much less time than it takes for hand-wrapping. This frees those hand-wrappers to focus on other important operational needs and gives you a more efficient packaging system at the critical pallet wrapping and pre-shipment phase. 

6. Better Safety

What many packaging managers don&#;t realize (until it&#;s too late) is that hand-wrapping is one of the most dangerous activities that can be performed in a packaging facility. This is because the people doing the wrapping are walking backward. They may not be paying attention to their surroundings, or someone else may not see them coming from the side of a pallet. Accidents can happen and be costly to your business. Pallet wrapping machines do all the dirty work of stretch wrapping without putting your employees in harm&#;s way.

7. Long-Term Cost Savings

Many packaging managers don&#;t believe they have enough pallet volume to justify a stretch wrapping machine. In most cases, plants with fewer than 10 pallets a day achieve a fairly rapid return on investment with this specialized equipment. You can usually see enough cost savings to justify the initial purchase within 24 months. Those facilities with higher numbers of pallets see the overall cost savings even sooner. Over time, the machinery pays for itself through the benefits mentioned above. A pallet wrapping machine may seem too expensive right now, but it can save you time, money, and headaches over the long run. 

To learn more about pallet wrapping machines from the world&#;s leading manufacturers, contact First Packaging Systems today. The team at FPS knows this equipment inside and out, and we&#;ll find the right automatic or semiautomatic stretch wrapping equipment for your specific packaging needs and budget.

Are you interested in learning more about Industrial Pallet Wrapping Machines? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!