Chloe Zhang
Plastic strapping machines are used to secure items for handling and transport by placing a thin plastic strap around the perimeter. The strap is usually made from Polypropylene (PP) or Polyester (PET) and is held in place by methods such as heat, friction, and ultrasonic welds. These machines range from small semi-automatic tabletop units to large, fully automatic systems that can handle pallet loads and shipping units. The main types of strapping machines include semi-automatic or operator-cycled machines, automatic or arch machines, and larger strapping machines or unitizers. They are designed to improve efficiency in packaging and shipping departments by providing security and stability to pallet loads, with features such as tension control, welding, and cutting of strap ends.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To secure one or more items for handling and product transport by placing a flat strap around the perimeter. |
| Strap Material | Plastic, primarily Polypropylene (PP) or Polyester (PET). Nylon is another option, though less common. |
| Strap Characteristics | May be embossed or smooth. Embossing improves strap performance by adding stiffness and reducing surface friction. Smooth straps may have a lubricant added to their surface. |
| Strap Uses | Used for bundling, carton closing, carton reinforcement, and UPS unitizing. |
| Strap Sizes | Multiple sizes of thin plastic straps are used to ensure products stay together. |
| Strap Temperature Resistance | Stable from freezing to upper-range ambient temperatures. |
| Strap UV Resistance | Industry guidelines suggest 30 to 90 days of UV life depending on sun intensity and colour. Black is best for outdoor use. |
| Strap Moisture Resistance | PP strap is water and moisture resistant. |
| Strapping Machine Types | Manual, semi-automatic, and automatic. |
| Semi-Automatic Strapping Machine Characteristics | An operator must manually place the product on the machine table, loop a length of strap around it, and insert the strap end into a slot to initiate the machine cycle. |
| Semi-Automatic Strapping Machine Uses | Ideal for smaller items and locations that don't have a lot of space, such as retail stores, banks, and post offices. |
| Automatic Strapping Machine Characteristics | May feature HMI with alphanumeric display, stainless steel work table, heat seal and cut system, auto-feeding capability, casters with brakes, and reset and manual feed buttons. |
| Automatic Strapping Machine Uses | Designed for larger operations. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic strapping machine types: automatic, semi-automatic, and manual
Plastic strapping machines are used to secure items for handling and product transport by placing a flat plastic strap around the perimeter. They are useful in packaging and shipping departments to keep boxes secure and give a professional, uniform look to shipped products. The three main types of plastic strapping machines are automatic, semi-automatic, and manual.
Semi-automatic strapping machines, sometimes called banding machines, require an operator to manually place the product on the machine table, loop a length of strap around it, and insert the strap end into a slot to initiate the machine cycle. They are designed for occasional users and are a low-cost solution for strapping needs. Semi-automatic machines are used in a variety of applications, including bundling, carton closing, carton reinforcement, and UPS unitizing. They are also suitable for dirty, moist, or harsh working environments, such as in the brick and tile industries, or poultry processing industries.
Automatic strapping machines, on the other hand, relieve the operator from feeding the strap around the product as the machine does this automatically. They include a powered conveyor that moves the product into and out of the machine. These machines are ideal for larger operations and feature a fast warm-up, control panel, and braking casters. They are also useful for pallet loads and shipping units, providing security and stability.
Manual strapping systems are an easy and economical way to install, tension, and cut straps around boxes. They are metal tools that are designed to be easy to use, speeding up the packaging process and increasing efficiency.
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How plastic strapping machines work
Plastic strapping machines are used to secure items for handling and transport. They place a flat plastic strap around the perimeter of one or more items, ensuring they stay together. The strap is held in place by methods such as heat, friction, and ultrasonic welds.
Plastic strapping machines come in various types, including manual, semi-automatic, and fully automatic models. Manual strapping systems are metal tools that are easy to use and economical, speeding up the packaging process. They are suitable for companies that require less than 50 strapping jobs per hour per employee. Semi-automatic machines, also known as tabletop or operator-cycled machines, require an operator to manually place items on the machine table, loop a strap around them, and insert the strap end into a slot to initiate the machine cycle. They are designed for small to mid-volume operations and can accommodate products of varying sizes.
Automatic plastic strapping machines, on the other hand, are designed for larger operations and feature fast warm-up, control panels, and braking casters. They include an arch or strap track that feeds the strap around the product automatically. These machines offer high throughput speeds, ranging from 2 to 10 units per minute, or even up to 60 packages per minute for some fully automatic models.
The strapping process involves feeding and tightening the plastic strap around the items. This is achieved through feed rollers, return rollers, and rocker rollers. The strap is then sealed using methods such as heat-pressing or ultrasonic welding, and finally, any excess strap is cut off. The sealing heads can be positioned beneath, on the side, or above the product, depending on the application.
Overall, plastic strapping machines provide efficiency, cost reduction, and a secure way to handle and transport items. They improve the overall presentation of packaged products and are widely used across various industries.
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Strapping machine features
Strapping machines are used to secure one or more items for handling and product transport. They place a flat strap, usually made of plastic, around the perimeter of the item or items. The strap is held in place by methods including heat, friction, and ultrasonic welds.
Strapping machines range from small semi-automatic tabletop units to larger fully automatic machines. The main types of strapping machines are semi-automatic or operator-cycled machines, automatic or arch machines, and larger strapping machines, sometimes called unitizers.
Semi-automatic strapping machines require an operator to manually place the product on the machine table, loop a length of strap around it, and insert the strap end into a slot to initiate the machine cycle. The operator also guides the strap around the package. These machines are designed for smaller items such as books and boxes and are ideal for locations that don't have a lot of space. They are also more affordable than fully automatic machines.
Some semi-automatic machines feature an integrated circuit control board to minimize downtime and maintenance, sensor-controlled heating systems, electronic tension control, adjustable welding time, and direct drive to eliminate drive belts, chains, and pulleys.
Automatic strapping machines, on the other hand, are designed for larger operations. They feature a powered conveyor that moves products into and out of the machine. They also have a strap dispenser, a sealing head, and a strap track. The sealing head tensions the strap to a selected level, seals the strap ends together, and cuts the strap. Automatic machines may also have braking casters and control panels.
Larger strapping machines, or unitizers, have similar features to automatic machines but are larger in size and utilize different technology. They can integrate transport and handling functions upstream or downstream of the strapper.
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Strapping machine applications
Strapping machines are used in various industries for a range of applications, including bundling, carton closing, carton reinforcement, and unitizing. They are available in semi-automatic and fully automatic varieties, with the latter being ideal for larger operations. The type of machine used depends on the production line and product to be strapped.
Semi-automatic strapping machines
Semi-automatic strapping machines require an operator to manually place the product on the machine table, loop a length of strap around it, and insert the strap end into a slot to initiate the machine cycle. These machines are designed for smaller items such as books and small boxes and are ideal for locations that don't have a lot of space, such as retail stores, banks, and post offices. They can also be used for low-volume applications and can be easily integrated into most production lines.
Automatic strapping machines
Automatic strapping machines are designed for larger operations and feature fast warm-up, a control panel, and braking casters. They are used for higher-volume applications and can be powered by an electric battery or compressed air. These machines allow for hands-free securing of parcels with automatically tensioned, sealed, and cut polypropylene strapping. They are operated by a foot pedal or parcel sensor, making them ideal for volume throughput.
Application-specific strapping machines
Some companies offer application-specific strapping machines that are designed for particular cases where standard systems may not fit. For example, Signode offers a range of machines for specific applications, such as the MH-11/16 side seal plastic strapping machine, which is suitable for a variety of packaging applications, and the SMB NEO-VP, which is a powerful strapping machine for products made of solid cardboard.
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Plastic strapping materials
Plastic strapping machines use thin plastic straps to secure products together for handling, packaging, and transport. The strap is held in place by methods including heat, friction, and ultrasonic welds.
Polypropylene (PP) straps are the most widely used strapping material across various industries. They are designed for light to medium-weight loads and are known for their cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and reliability. Polypropylene straps perform well under normal conditions and are compatible with manual strapping systems, which are easy to use and speed up the packaging process.
Polyester (PET) straps are the strongest plastic straps, offering superior tensile strength compared to PP straps. PET straps are commonly used for heavy loads requiring high tension and are often chosen as a cost-effective and safer alternative to steel straps in industries such as logistics, manufacturing, and construction. Polyester straps are also suitable for use with automatic strapping machines, which provide efficiency and cost reduction for larger operations.
Both PP and PET straps are available in various sizes and can be used with different types of strapping machines, including manual, semi-automatic, and automatic systems. The choice of strapping material depends on the specific application requirements, such as strength, flexibility, and durability needed for the products being secured.
In addition to plastic strapping materials, steel straps are also commonly used, especially for heavy-duty applications or when higher strength and durability are required. Steel strapping seals are used with manual strapping poly tensioners and steel strapping is available for use with strapping carts and larger strapping machines.
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Frequently asked questions
A plastic strapping machine secures items for handling and product transport by placing a thin plastic strap around the perimeter.
The plastic strap is held in place by methods including heat, friction, and ultrasonic welds. The strap is fed and tightened around the package, and then sealed and cut.
Plastic strapping machines can be manual, semi-automatic, or fully automatic. They come in various sizes, with smaller machines designed for items like books and small boxes, and larger machines for pallet loads and shipping units.
Plastic strapping machines improve efficiency and reduce costs in packaging and shipping departments. They provide security and stability to pallet loads and give shipped products a professional, uniform look.
