Stretch wrapper settings

stretch machine

The sometimes very complex settings that have to be made on stretch wrappers in order to achieve optimum results can often be overwhelming. In addition to basic settings such as pre-stretch, tension and the number of revolutions, there often are many other important parameters that need to be precisely matched to the film and goods. Thanks to many years of practical experience, the Enviro Group's packaging optimizers and engineers are very familiar with all common manufacturers and types of stretch wrappers and can incorporate their in-depth knowledge of how stretch film works precisely into the settings in order to achieve optimum pallet stability with minimum consumption.

What parameters can be set on a stretch wrapper?

The settings that can be made on a stretch wrapper vary greatly. The range extends from very simple winders, on which only very few or even no settings are possible, to ultra-modern fully automatic machines with very detailed setting options. The first important question is therefore always what exactly can be set on a particular winder and how. Basically, the more you can adjust, the better you can optimize. The adjustment options also have a significant influence on the choice of film, because if you use a high-performance film with immense stretch potential, for example, but have no influence on the pre-stretch on your wrapper, you will not be able to achieve good pallet stability. The pre-stretch can be easily adjusted on some types of wrapper via a display, whereas others require mechanical pinions to be replaced. There are also wrappers where the pre-stretch of the film is fixed and cannot be changed. In this case, it is necessary to determine exactly how much the system pre-stretches in order to determine the perfect film for the winder.

What is the difference between pre-stretching and tightening?

Pre-stretching is not to be confused with the application tension. While pre-stretching refers to the process in which the film runs over two rollers running at different speeds and is thus stretched, the application tension is the force that acts on the film while it is applied to the pallet. Changes to both parameters can have different effects on the packaging result and should by no means be understood as synonymous.

Further adjustment options on stretching systems

In addition to pre-stretching and contact tension, some stretching systems allow further, more in-depth settings to be made. Only these enable our packaging optimizers to really work on pallet stability with pinpoint accuracy. Precise interventions in the wrapping pattern (foot, support, head wrapping and wrapping modes), the wrapping speed(s) and the overlap(s) allow us to tackle existing problems with pallet stability with pinpoint accuracy. If you need help with the settings of your stretch wrapper or would like to know which film you can use to get the most out of your wrapper's settings, we look forward to hearing from you.