Buying a Pallet Wrapper? Answer These Questions First

If you’re thinking about getting a pallet wrapper for your business operations or potentially upgrading your current one, there are a number of things that should be considered and questions that you should think about to ensure you find the right pallet wrapper for your needs.

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During our time in the packaging and logistics equipment and machinery industry, we’ve worked with many different kinds of businesses, each with unique needs, and over that time, we’ve worked out the questions that help us help you find the right pallet wrapper.

Below, we’ve listed these questions and why we ask them so that you can think about these factors before purchasing a pallet wrapper.

Question 1: What are you wrapping?

Why we ask this question:

Understanding what products our customers are wrapping is crucial in recommending the most suitable pallet wrapper. This question helps us gauge the type and nature of the goods – whether they’re heavy or light, bulky, fragile, uniform or irregularly shaped, and so forth.

For instance, if you’re wrapping heavy or irregularly shaped items, you might need a robust pallet wrapper with high-strength film and advanced tension control. On the other hand, if the products are more uniform and lighter, a simpler and more cost-effective model could be sufficient.

Knowing what you’re wrapping also helps us to determine other important factors, such as the type of film best suited for your products, the required wrapping speed, and any additional features that might be necessary, like enhanced load stabilisation for fragile items. Ultimately, this information ensures that the pallet wrapper we recommend aligns perfectly with your specific packaging requirements.

There are a number of load specific questions that we also ask, which are listed below:

• What size pallet do you use?
• Do you have different sized pallets?
• How tall do you stack your products?
• How light or heavy are your pallet loads?
• Do goods overhang your pallets?
• Are your goods sharp or abrasive?
• Are your goods stacked to the corner of your pallets or are they set back from the corners?

These questions can help us determine which pallet wrapper and materials you need. There are so many factors to be considered. The above questions help us with figuring out the following:

• Matching Pallet Wrapper Specifications: Pallet wrappers come with varying turntable sizes and weight capacities and wrap height capabilities. It’s important to choose a machine that can comfortably handle the size of your pallets. For instance, if you use oversized or unusually shaped pallets, you might need a pallet wrapper with a larger turntable or one with an extended base, increasing the distance between the turntable and mast. If your goods are heavy, you need a pallet wrapper that can meet these demands and avoid overloading and damaging your pallet wrapper.
• Ensuring Efficient Wrapping: Properly sized equipment ensures that your pallets are wrapped efficiently and securely. If a pallet wrapper is too small for your pallets, it can lead to ineffective wrapping, potential damage to the wrapper or the goods, and safety risks. Conversely, a machine that’s too large for your needs may result in unnecessary energy use and space occupation. Efficient wrapping is not just about wrapping the products properly but also cost effectively, so knowing whether your pallets are regular, oversized, or unusually shaped can help to determine this.
• Customisation Options: Some businesses use a range of pallet sizes. In such cases, we can explore pallet wrappers with adjustable settings or those that are designed to handle a variety of wrapping settings. This flexibility can be crucial for maintaining efficiency across different types of loads.
• Safety and Stability Considerations: Knowing things like the height, the way your goods are stacked and the types of products is crucial in ensuring safety and stability. You need to be able to move pallets without risk. This can impact the type of machine you use and your wrapping technique.

Question 2: Do you have to weigh your loads, and are you expecting the machine to weigh them?

Why we ask this question?

Understanding whether there is a need to weigh your loads as part of the pallet wrapping process is vital for a couple of reasons. It helps us identify if you require a pallet wrapper with integrated weighing capabilities and understand the broader context of your logistical and operational needs.

There can be various reasons that loads may need to be weighed, including:

• shipping cost calculations
• inventory management
• ensuring compliance with weight regulations for transportation
• quality control purposes.

Knowing your specific reason for weighing helps us recommend a solution that aligns with your operational goals.

Some advanced pallet wrappers come with built-in scales that can weigh the load during the wrapping process. This integration can significantly streamline operations by combining wrapping and weighing into a single step, thereby saving time and reducing the movement of goods.

If weighing is a critical part of your process, integrating it with the pallet wrapping can improve accuracy and operational efficiency. It ensures that every pallet is weighed consistently and accurately, which is crucial for businesses where weight accuracy is a compliance or cost factor.

Question 3: How are you wrapping your loads now?

Why we ask this question?

This question is essential to understand your current packaging process and identify any potential areas for improvement. Knowing how you currently wrap your goods – whether manually, using semi-automatic methods, or with an outdated or inefficient machine – allows us to assess the effectiveness of your existing method and suggest upgrades or changes that could enhance efficiency, reduce costs, or improve safety.

For example, if you’re wrapping pallets manually, you might be facing issues like inconsistent wrapping, higher labour costs, and increased physical strain on workers. In this case, we can demonstrate how a semi-automatic or automatic pallet wrapper could significantly speed up your operations, provide more consistent and secure wrapping, and potentially lower your overall costs.

Alternatively, if you already use a pallet wrapper but it’s an older model, we can explore the benefits of newer, more advanced machines. These might include better film efficiency, faster wrapping speeds, or improved safety features.

Understanding your current method helps us tailor our recommendations to directly address the specific challenges or limitations you’re facing in your packaging process. Our goal is to offer a solution that not only meets but exceeds your packaging needs, enhancing both efficiency and effectiveness.

Question 4: How many pallets or loads are you wrapping on average per day, week, or yearly?

Why we ask this question:

Knowing the volume of pallets or loads you wrap in a given period is a critical factor in selecting the right pallet wrapper for your needs. This information allows us to gauge the capacity and efficiency level required for your operation and recommend a machine that can handle your workload without over or under-utilisation.

If you’re wrapping a small number of pallets daily or weekly, a manual or semi-automatic pallet wrapper might be sufficient. These options are more cost-effective for lower volumes and can adequately meet your needs without unnecessary additional features.

If you’re wrapping a substantial number of pallets, an automatic pallet wrapper may be more appropriate. High-volume operations benefit from the speed, consistency, and labour savings that automatic machines offer. They can significantly streamline your process, reduce the time and labour involved in wrapping, and ensure a consistent and secure wrap every time.

In case your wrapping volume varies significantly (for example, during peak seasons), we can look into flexible solutions that can easily adapt to changing demands.

Additionally, understanding your wrapping volume helps us to assess other aspects like the durability of the machine, the need for features like pre-stretch film capabilities, and the potential for future scalability. Our aim is to provide a solution that not only meets your current demands but also accommodates future growth and changes in your business.

Question 5: Do you ever experience damage when shipping or transporting your goods and do you know the cause?

Why we ask this question:

This question helps us understand if there are any issues with your current wrapping and shipping process that could be addressed with a better pallet wrapping solution. Shipping damage can be costly, not only in terms of product loss or damage but also in affecting customer satisfaction and business reputation.

If you are experiencing shipping damage, identifying the cause is crucial. Is it due to inadequate wrapping strength? Is the damage occurring at the top, bottom, or sides of the pallet? Is the load shifting during transit? Or is it an issue with the way products are being stacked or handled?

Once we know what’s causing the damage, we can recommend a pallet wrapper and the right materials to mitigate these issues.

Question 6: What colour are the goods that your machine sees?

Why we ask this question:

This question might seem unusual at first, but understanding the colour of the goods or the packaging can be important, especially if you’re considering a pallet wrapper with automatic load-height sensing technology. These sensors detect the height of the pallet load to determine where to start and stop the wrapping process.

Some automatic pallet wrappers use photo-eye sensors to detect the height of the pallet load. These sensors can sometimes have difficulty detecting certain colours or reflective surfaces. For example, black or very dark-coloured loads can absorb light, making it harder for standard photo-eyes to detect the top of the load accurately.

If your loads include such colours or materials, we might need to consider a pallet wrapper equipped with a more advanced sensor technology, or manually adjust the sensor settings to ensure accurate detection.

Question 7: What is your method of loading your pallet onto your stretch wrapper?

Why we ask this question:

Understanding the method by which you load pallets onto the wrapper is crucial for recommending the right type of pallet wrapper and ensuring it integrates seamlessly into your workflow. Different loading methods may require different machine designs or configurations. Here’s a general guide that may be helpful:

By identifying your loading method, we can ensure that the pallet wrapper we recommend not only fits into your physical workspace but also aligns with your operational processes, enhancing efficiency, safety, and overall workflow integration.

Question 8: Are you limited on space?

Why we ask this question:

This question is essential to ensure that the pallet wrapping solution we recommend fits comfortably within your available workspace and aligns with your operational layout.

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If your facility has limited space, this can significantly influence the type of pallet wrapper that’s feasible for your operations. In tight spaces, large, stationary wrappers might not be practical. Instead, we might suggest a more compact model or a mobile pallet wrapper that can be moved around as needed.

Understanding your space limitations also helps us recommend a pallet wrapper that integrates smoothly into your existing workflow without causing disruption or requiring major rearrangements.

For businesses with space constraints, optimising the use of available space is key. We can explore pallet wrappers that offer features like a smaller turntable or a vertical mast that requires less horizontal space.

Question 9: Where will the machine be located?

Why we ask this question:

Knowing the location where the pallet wrapper will be installed is crucial for several reasons, as different environments can affect the performance, suitability and the warranty of the machine.

• Warehouse or Indoor Environment: If the machine is to be located in a standard warehouse or indoor setting, most pallet wrappers will function effectively. However, we still consider factors such as floor space, ceiling height, and proximity to other operations to ensure seamless integration.
• Outdoor or Awning Area: If the pallet wrapper is to be located outdoors or under an awning, it needs to be durable enough to withstand weather conditions. We would recommend a machine with robust construction and possibly weatherproofing features to protect it from elements like rain, sun, and dust.
• Cool Room or Freezer Room: In cold environments, such as cool rooms or freezer rooms, the machinery needs to operate effectively at low temperatures. Specialized pallet wrappers are designed for these conditions, with features that prevent the freezing of components and ensure smooth operation in cold environments.
• Wet Environment: In areas where there is a lot of moisture or direct contact with water, the pallet wrapper needs to have waterproof or water-resistant components such as silicone cables. This is important to prevent corrosion, electrical failures, and other moisture-related issues. This could also impact the warranty of your machine.

Apart from the machine’s functionality, we also consider safety and efficiency in different environments. For example, in wet areas, we would ensure that the machine has adequate safety features to prevent slips and falls.

By understanding the exact location where the pallet wrapper will be used, we can recommend a machine that not only suits your wrapping needs but is also compatible with the environmental conditions of that location, ensuring longevity, safety, and operational efficiency.

Question 10: Is the machine in a rough environment where the operators may drive into the turntable?

Why we ask this question:

This question is crucial for understanding the durability requirements of the pallet wrapper, especially in environments where there’s a higher risk of accidental impact or rough handling.

We recommend considering the installation of forklift or bumper guards as the durability and safety of your machinery is important. You want your pallet wrapper to be sound investment and one that can withstand its environment.

Some pallet wrappers are more heavy duty that others and knowing the type of environment you’re in, we can help to determine the best machine for your scenario and any safety precautions that can improve longevity.

Find the right pallet wrapper with Melbourne Packaging Supplies

Beginning with a need assessment to building a business case for return on investment, pallet stretch wrapping technology procurement can be stressful and arduous.

With many options available in the market, choosing the best technology can be difficult. Your product cannot leave the premises without stretch wrapping the pallet, so it's an important part of the packaging process.

To make the process of technology selection, procurement and installation easier, we've created this quick checklist to ensure you avoid these common pitfalls we’ve seen in the past.

Pitfall #1: Guessing the details

 It is really important that you know the details of the application before you go out to market. Some of the basic details needed to specify the application and get the right solution include:

• length, width, height, and type of pallet
• product stability and packaging type, such as shape of cartons, cans or bottles
• maximum throughput required per hour
• conveyors, space available, loading options
• do you need options like a waterproof or dustproof top sheet or corner posts to eliminate carton crushing?
• would you prefer fully automatic film reel changes
• what is your preferred electrical control platform, if you have one
• electrical information like voltage, phase, and frequency

Pitfall #2: Ignoring the steps preceding pallet wrapping

Here are some important steps that need attention to ensure pallet wrapping success.

Step 1: Improve the integrity of primary and secondary packaging

The quality of primary and secondary packaging, along with other packaging materials like tier sheets and corner posts all impact the condition in which your product reaches the retail stores. Logistical demands need to be balanced with business requirements such as shelf-ready packaging, branding, cost of packaging, sustainability and environmental concerns. Good quality primary and secondary packaging facilitates pallet wrapping success.

Step 2: Load stability and stacking patterns

Before stretch wrapping a pallet, it is important to make sure the stacking is optimised. A column stacked pattern gives good compressive strength while an interlocked pattern gives better lateral strength and stability. The stacking pattern is dependent on case type and pallet utilisation. A well-stacked pallet is a more stable pallet. Choosing the right palletizing solution is important. 

Pitfall #3: Over specifying or under specifying the application

There is a propensity to overstate the requirements. So long as the requirements are clearly based on future growth plans, there are no issues.

If the requirements are overstated since the details are unknown and a buffer is built-in, the solution may end up being over budget. The reverse is also true. If the requirement is understated to save money, the machine may not meet the requirements in which case the investment is a waste. 

Pitfall #4: Not enough testing

Testing is essential for different film types, different load types and machine settings for optimal results.

Some of the most common causes of film breakages are load type, film quality, wrapper machine settings, and sometimes operator error. Film test cycles are important to determine how much the film can be stretched without breaking to ensure that it does not break during wrapping.

Also, how do you ensure the pallet load is as stable as possible with the minimum amount of stretch film for film cost savings? The magic lies in getting the containment force right. This is the pressure holding the load together and is created by the number of revolutions of the stretch film multiplied by the tightness of the wrap called the wrap force. The minimum threshold level of containment force on a load determines its success. If the containment force is too low, the risk of an unsecured pallet is high.

There is a trade-off between the wrap force, layers of stretch wrap and throughput. Testing is usually required to get the optimal solution to ensure an effective and efficient wrap pattern. 

Pitfall #5: Not spending time on integration.

While specifying the application, it is important to look at line integration options as well as infeed and outfeed.

An investment in a pallet wrapper can be an opportunity to automate a possible bottleneck to improve efficiency, productivity and use the data for real-time reports. Integration can also remove potential occupational health and safety issues.  An automated solution can be networked to an integrated line control and/or warehouse management solution.

We hope the above points will give you some insight and ideas into areas that need to be thought about, defined better or optimized when investigating pallet wrapping technology.

You might like to download our Pallet Wrapping Selection Guide eBook for more detail.

Talk to Foodmach today for a no-obligation discussion regarding pallet stretch wrapping technology options.

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