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.

Compliance and consistency

Complete load stability is important in light of the EU Directive 2014/47, 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.

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.