Pallet wrapping machines secure products on a pallet by wrapping them in stretch film, ensuring goods are held in place for storage or shipment. Using these wrapping machines offers a quicker, precise, and more consistent way to secure pallets. Machine stretch wrap (or pallet wrap) films can be stretched and manipulated so that the tension, or holding force, is used at is optimum capacity to ensure load stability.

Choosing the right pallet wrapping machine and film can streamline your operations while improving safety and security for your products and people.

What to consider when choosing a pallet wrapping machine.

The right pallet wrap machine for your operations will largely depend on:

For example, a turntable wrapping machine rotates the pallet while film is dispensed from a fixed position – suiting smaller spaces – while a rotary arm machine, however does not require a pallet to be moved instead it moves – best for unstable or heavy loads.

Robert McEwan, General Manager of Wessex Packaging, Manchester (previously MorsaPack) said: “When advising clients, we always start with asking ‘what do we need to do to make sure the pallet loads are secure?’ We consider what stretch, tension, film and wrap pattern is required to deliver the right load stability and product security. With that information, we can help you find the pallet wrapper that will deliver for the lowest cost per pallet wrapped.“

Factors to consider;

Volumes being wrapped

First, consider throughput: How many pallets will you be wrapping, per day or per hour? This will determine the speeds of loading and dispensing required of your pallet wrapper. Different machines can deliver different speed settings and cope with different capacities.

Higher volume (30-130 pallets per hour):

A fully automatic machine is better suited, requiring minimal operator input, and offering greater efficiency.

Products being palletised

Secondly, what the products are being palletised? Consider the size, shape, weight, variability and stability of your products on a pallet. This will determine which machine type is most suitable and the containment forces needed during distribution.

Unstable or heavy products:

Better suited to a rotating arm wrapper, orbital wrapper or robotic pallet wrapping machine that moves around the pallet such as Wessex’s PowerWrapper™ Robotic.

Facilities and Work Environment

To know what pallet wrapping machine will best fit within your facility, you will need to asses the space and workflow and ask these questions to help you:

This will determine the size of machine you can use, as well as the movement allowable, or required, around it. For example, a compact turntable machine such as PowerWrapper50 will suit smaller spaces. Larger warehouses would benefit from a higher tech version with larger capabilities such as PowerWrapper™ 1100.

The stretch wrap film required

The film you use must match the containment forces required for your products. Using the correct films with right pallet wrapping machine ensures load stability and cost-effective wrapping.

The machine must also match the maximum stretch potential of the film being used: For example if a pallet stretch film with 300% capacity is used on a machine only able to stretch up to 150% it will limit the effectiveness of the wrap.

Therefore choosing the correct stretch film for a machine is important as it can significantly reduce film costs, often justifying for higher up-front investment on sophisticated machinery, to lower stretch wrap costs over time. Not only this, but using stretch film will reduce the amount of plastic film used per pallet helping you stay more sustainable.

Robert also said “Its important to remember, that over the lifetime of a pallet wrapping machine, the biggest spend will be on the pallet wrapping film. Focussing on optimising the stretch film, and letting the machine cost work itself out, is the best way to optimise your pallet wrapping and manage your costs, in experience.”

The ongoing service desired

Finally, consider the level of service you require:

Our pallet wrapping machine options

PowerWrapper™ 50

Our standard pallet wrapping machine is semi-automatic, cost-effective, and ideal for smaller and lighter loads. These machine can wrap around 15 pallets per day, making it best for limited-volume warehouse operations.

PowerWrapper™ 300

A mid-range machine offering 300% film stretch with its motorised pre-stretch system. Designed for medium to large operations and heavy pallet loads (up to 2,00kg and 2.2.m high). Also available in a low-profile version for reduced floor space.

PowerWrapper™ 1100

Our most premium semi-automatic machine available, engineered for wrapping 20-40 pallets per hour. Making it great for higher volume warehouse palletisation operations, and is now available with our ZeroCap leasing for a cost-effective setup.

PowerWrapper™ Robotic

The most compact machine in our pallet wrapping range, and it is automatic! Wrapping up to 200 pallets per battery charge with no trailing wires. The PowerWrapper Robotic is now available with a flexi arm, allowing easy movement around the warehouse and the ability to wrap any shape, size or weight of a pallet.

Choose the Correct Pallet Wrapping Machine with Wessex Packaging

At Wessex, we work closely with our customers to understand the types, pallet load sizes, wrapping volumes, plastic reduction* and associated film costs. Using this information we recommend the pallet wrapping machine best suited to your needs.

With Wessex Packaging machines and compatible films, many companies have been able to reduce their plastic pallet wrapping consumption by up to 61%. This has been possible due to the maximum stretch wrap capabilities and thin lightweight properties, allowing warehouse teams to secure more loads with one roll. This also helps save money per pallet too. To find out how much plastic you could be saving you can book a free on-site pallet wrapper machine demonstration or pallet wrap audit.

Looking for a pallet wrapping machine and films? Get in touch with one of Wessex Packaging sites in Yeovil, Portsmouth or Manchester to book a PowerWrapper demo or audit.