The 15 Questions You Should Consider When Buying a ...

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Purchasing a stretch wrapper doesn&#;t have to be a complicated, painful process. However, spending some time answering a few, simple questions can help you find the right machine that balances your needs, budget, and efficiency.

Isn&#;t it just a choice between semi-auto and automatic?

Yes, you&#;ll need to choose between a semi-automatic or automatic stretch wrapping machine. However, there can be a surprising amount of variability and options within each of these categories. We have 15 questions below that will help you and your stretch wrapping machine rep navigate those options, but understanding why you should answer them is important.

When it comes to stretch wrapping, pallet size matters

Things like pallet size, load height, and load weight can have a big impact on which machine will work best.

If the pallets you normally use are larger than the commonly used 40-by-48 in pallets, you might need a larger turntable or wrap zone. Using pallets that extend past the turntable or wrap zone can be dangerous, so it&#;s important to get the right size.

Your load height also has an impact on the size of machine components. For instance, the standard wrap height on a semi-automatic stretch wrapper in 80in tall. If your loads are going to be taller than that, they you will need to consider an extended mast.

Extremely light or extremely heavy loads also should be taken into consideration when looking at options. A stretch wrapper with a top platen is sometimes used to stabilize or hold down light or unstable loads.

While a straddle style wrapper with a wrap arm that rotates around the pallet is more appropriate for extremely heavy (greater than 5,000 pounds) loads.

For more Pallet Wrapping Automationinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

The 15 questions you should be asking

Each of these 15 questions will help you narrow down your stretch wrapping machine requirements, and help you focus in on the options you might like to add.

1. What are you wrapping?
2. How are you doing it now?
3. How many loads a day?
4. Are you experiencing shipping damage? If you are, what is the damage caused by?
5. Will the load rotate and stay intact?
6. What pallet size do you use?
7. How tall do you stack your product?
8. How much would the heaviest pallet weigh?
9. How much would the lightest pallet weigh?
10. Do you have a requirement to weigh your loads? If yes, why are you weighing them (quality control, accurate bill of landing for less-than-truckload carriers, etc.)?
11. How would you load the pallet on the stretch wrapper? Pallet jack or forklift?
12. Do you have partial layers (random items thrown onto the load that would need to be secured via hand wrap)?
13. Does the product overhang the sides of the pallet? If yes, by how much?
14. How many pallets would you be wrapping each hour or total in a day?
15. Are you operating 1, 2, or 3 shifts?

Get more information on the key decisions around buying a semi-automatic stretch wrapper collected in one compact, easy to read guide. Download our free Stretch Wrapper Buying Guide now.

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This post was published on July 26, and updated on November 22, .

Here are some important questions you&#;ll want to consider before your next purchase of a semi-automatic stretch wrapping machine.

Consistent and uniform application:
An operator who wraps pallets with hand wrap stretch film is not able to wrap every load exactly the same way, time and time again. A load wrapped by one operator Monday morning will not be wrapped the same way as another operator on Friday afternoon. Pallet wrapping with a stretch wrap machine eliminates this issue.

Professional Package:
Wrapping a pallet using a stretch wrap machine produces a clean professional finished product. Pallet wrapping with hand wrap leaves a rather erratic and uneven look. The look of your pallet load on your customer&#;s floor must project the professional image you want for your company. Pallet wrapping with a stretch wrap machine eliminates this issue.

Training:
There is a right way and a wrong way to wrap a pallet with hand wrap. Applied incorrectly, hand wrap may crush the product or allow the product to shift during transport. Employee turnover or multiple operators mean that you must continually train employees on how to correctly wrap the loads to ensure customer satisfaction while ensuring they do not injure themselves. Pallet wrapping with a stretch wrap machine eliminates this issue.

Employee Safety:
Hand wrapping pallets is an extremely difficult job if it is done correctly, and a common source of employee back injuries when performed incorrectly. The human form is not designed to walk hunched over manipulating an 8-10 lbs weight while also trying to pull enough tension into the film to hold the pallet load together. Then 20 seconds later you are holding the same roll of stretch film above your head to do the top of the pallet, again tugging on the film using only your back and arm muscles. Many accidents and work related injuries are caused by hand wrapping pallets. Review OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) stretch wrapping guidelines before making your pallet wrapping decision. Pallet wrapping with a stretch wrap machine eliminates this issue.


Load Integrity:
No one likes hand wrapping. At some point the "good enough" syndrome takes over. Knowing what is required to keep your product unitized during shipping, and while it is on your customer's floor, is essential in setting your stretch wrapping specifications for your operator's to follow. When an employee is hand wrapping pallets the responsibility of meeting minimum tension requirements is left up to him. Fatigue, ignorance, training, or lack of motivation can affect the employee's "good enough" point resulting in potential complaints or damage due to poorly wrapped product. Pallet wrapping with a stretch wrap machine eliminates this issue.

Damage Control:
As employees deal with the difficulty of hand wrapping the goal becomes just wrapping it enough to get it out the door. Wrapping the load to eliminate damage during transit and at your customer's warehouse becomes secondary. Pallet wrapping with a stretch wrap machine eliminates this issue as it wraps the same way every time reducing the potential of a pallet being damaged during transit.

Customer Satisfaction:
Pallet wrapping your product is the LAST operation you perform and the FIRST operation your customer sees of your capabilities as a supplier. Your customer's perception of your competence as a supplier starts the minute your pallet of product arrives at his dock. Inconsistently hand wrapped pallets can give the perception of a low-end manufacturer. Lowering your standards of production during this last operation can be costly. Pallet wrapping with a stretch wrap machine eliminates this issue.

Film Savings:
Although the key to stretch wrapping is to make sure that we get the product to the customer intact, we all want to do it for the least amount of cost. With the machine set to wrap the loads with the least amount of stretch film required to hold the load together, you eliminate unnecessary extra revolutions of film being applied by well meaning operators. At a point, more film does not hold the load better, it is just waste. Pallet wrapping with a stretch wrap machine eliminates this issue.

Damaged Hand Wrap Rolls:
An expensive hidden cost of hand wrapping is the cost of all the rolls of stretch film that are thrown away because they have been nicked or damaged when thrown to the ground or left lying around. This cost can sometimes be as much as 15-20% of your hand wrap costs. Pallet wrapping with a stretch wrap machine eliminates this issue.

Quality Control:
By definition, hand wrapping a pallet manually prevents you from obtaining any type of repeatability. Multiple operators, time of day, fatigue and many other variables prevents any type of QC standards. Pallet wrapping with a stretch wrap machine allows you to either eliminate, or preset these variables. This ensures repeatability, allowing loads to be wrapped to a set quality standard. Pallet wrapping with a stretch wrap machine eliminates this issue.

Are you interested in learning more about Heavy Duty Pallet Wrapping Machine? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!