The Complete Guide to Automatic Turntable Stretch Wrappers

Understanding These Machines for Your Operation

Topics we will cover:

- How an automatic turntable stretch wrapper operates

- Why production facilities choose this machine

- Terminology for the machine

- Where they are placed in the production line

- What to know when you are buying or selling

How an automatic stretch wrapper operates:

Automatic turntable stretch wrappers are a type of stretch wrapper that uses a turntable to spin a product as the stretch film is applied. The film carriage moves up and down the mast to cover the full height of the product. Once on the turntable, which is also a conveyor, the pallet is rotated, pulling the film around itself keeping the product secure. Finally, the outfeed conveyor pushes the wrapped pallet onto the next stage of production.

One of the best perks of this machine is that conveyorized automatic turntable stretch wrappers eliminate the need for a forklift operator.

Why do facilities choose this machine?

Facilities are often utilizing these machines as a reliable way for their production to secure a palletized load and affix the load to the pallet. The automatic turntable stretch wrapper can help increase the speed, consistency, and efficiency of a production line.

Terminology:

- Containment force: the total force applied to load at a given point. The amount of Containment Force can mean the difference between a load that is safe to ship and a disaster waiting to happen

- Locked to Pallet: Film wraps part of the pallet as well as product so the load is secured to the pallet

- Film tail: start piece applied to start pallet/load; also end piece created when cutting the film at the end of the wrapping cycle

(Image Source: https://www.lantech.com/blog/three-ways-to-reduce-failed-stretch-wrapping/)

Where do Automatic Turntable Stretch Wrappers go in a production line:

(Image Source: https://www.ulmapackaging.com/en/news/ulma-at-interpack-with-fully-automated-packaging-systems)

In a production facility, the automatic turntable stretch wrapper is found at the end of the production line. Because the product has already been packaged, it is typically the last step. Additionally, labelers or smaller pieces of equipment may follow the automatic turntable stretch wrapper. Additional warehouse equipment may also follow, like a forklift.

How it works:

Because the automatic turntable stretch wrapper is so versatile, it’s important to know the inner workings of the machine. The product is loaded, usually from a conveyor, and placed on the turntable. Using a photo-eye, the turntable will then begin to spin and dispense the stretch film. Depending on the programmed height of the packed product, the film will raise and lower with the film carriage along the mast until the equipment is fully wrapped, securing the load. The photo-eye will then trigger the machine to stop and the film will be cut. It is then pushed to the exit conveyor where a fork truck will come along and pull the pallet off the line and onto its next destination.

These are for stable loads known as “A” loads. Because the machine is spinning on a turntable, there is the centrifugal force being placed on the load and can cause it to spin out and fall. If you don’t have a stable load, then we recommend an overhead wrap bar, which you can find here. These machines also offer a soft-start to help bring the load stable and wrap them safely. Ensuring no product is damaged.

We recommend these machines for those who know their product can be stacked as well as ensuring you know your pack pattern. These machines work best in an interlocking pattern and are not recommended for column-stack pack patterns.

When to move from a semi-automatic to an automatic:

Anything more than 40 loads per hour would require using an automatic stretch wrapper for production.. Anything less than that, a semi-automatic would work. Most semi-automatic stretch wrappers are 10 loads/minute because they will require someone to get on and off of a forklift. An automatic stretch wrapper will remove that piece and allow you to move at a faster pace.

Why is the layout important:

The layout of these machines is extremely important to consider when you are thinking about purchasing an automatic turntable stretch wrapper.

Because these machines have a larger footprint, they are often bolted into the floor of a production facility, which means moving them and configuring them can be difficult and once they are in place, are not often moved. If they are, the reconfiguration is often time-consuming and difficult.

If the machine is not properly oriented, it can slow down production or even halt it if the machine is not oriented correctly. If the degree of the machine is off, it can mean that the machine is not going to fit into the production line the way you need it to. If there is a mistake, the automatic turntable stretch wrapper can be reconfigured, but it is time-consuming and costly.

The “hand” of the unit is also important, meaning is it “left-handed” or “right-handed” and this is determined by its orientation. Reversing a machine is possible but requires a lot of programming and configuring.

It’s also important to note where the additional options are located as that will impact the orientation of the machine. For example, the wipe arm is also important to know which way it is oriented because that will determine if you are able to change the orientation.

We recommend that when purchasing these machines you add an engineering project with us to ensure that the wiring, orientation, and programming will meet your needs. If not, then we encourage you to get with a technician from the OEM to ensure your machine will reach your desired capabilities.

Preferred Manufacturers:

It's the manufacturers that we recommend:

- Lantech

- Orion

- Wulftec

Industries that use this piece of equipment

Automatic turntable stretch wrappers can be used in pretty much any industry that is high producing. These are some of the industries we assist but this list is not comprehensive: Beverage Dairy Pet food Fruits and vegetables Chemical and industrial Snack foods Bakery Paper/printing Meat, seafood, poultry

Additional Features to Consider

When you are looking for additional features here are a few to consider:

- Wipe arm

- Photo-eye

- Hot-wire film cutter

- Film sealer

Upstream and Downstream Equipment

If an automatic turntable stretch wrapper is not the only piece of equipment you are adding to your production line we recommend adding these to your upstream and downstream: Case erectors Palletizers Labeler Warehouse equipment

All of these pieces are dependent on your floorplan and where you are at in your companies automation. Your product also may not need these pieces of equipment, so before starting a project, talk to your dedicated sales representative to help recommend the right equipment for you. We also offer a full suite of shop and integration services to help tie all of these pieces together.

Shipping an Automatic Turntable Stretch Wrapper

When you are looking to ship equipment or have equipment shipped to you, you’ll want to make sure you secure the counterbalance.

Depending on your mast height, you’ll want to consider how you will ship the equipment. One of the most important pieces to consider when shipping is the mast, and how you are going to lay down the mast and secure it as well. Because these machines are so large, we recommend utilizing our logistics team to transport your equipment safely and securely. To contact them directly, click here:

Questions to ask yourself before purchasing:

Being knowledgeable is crucial when making a large purchase, so we wanted to provide you with additional questions to consider and ask before purchasing:

- What is the maximum wrap height?

- What is the diameter of the turntable?

- What is the width of the stretch film?

- What is the pre-stretch percentage of the film?

- Do you need/have a photo-eye?

- What is the cycle count?

- Is the fill clamp assembly electric or pneumatic?

- What are the minimum and maximum load dimensions and weight?

- Is the control panel manual or touch screen?

- What type of conveyor will you need? Roller, belt, or chain?

- What are the dimensions of the conveyor you will need?

- How many loads per hour?

- Do you need any additional options? Such as adjustable turntable, extended base, extended mast, cold temperature packaging, etc.

Conclusion:

To utilize the automatic turntable stretch wrapper in your facility, reach out to our educated and experienced staff with the button below and our team will be ready and excited to assist you!