Strapping with plastic strap.
The main purpose of strapping pallets is to keep parcel boxes firm on the pallet during transport and during storage.
The choice of suitable equipment depends mainly on the weight and size of the pallet to be packed and on the type of palletized product. To choose the right equipment, the first question we must ask ourselves is whether we want to use the metal recipe or the plastic strap.
The metal strap is much more robust than normal plastic type but must be handled with particular caution as it could tear the operator. The metal strap is usually used only for particular applications, where maximum sealing is required and where the product to be strapped has sharp edges, which could cut the plastic strap.
For all information on the metal strap, please click on the following link.
Assuming instead of having chosen to use the plastic strap, we must first of all really evaluate how many pallets we need to strap each day and what their actual weight is.
The closure of the strap can in fact take place by means of a metal seal.
The closure by means of a metal seal is much slower, requires more time and more manual skills than the closure by vibration welding and the weak point always remains the seal.
To make pallet strapping with plastic strap we have 3 solutions:
1) Strapping with manual strap tensioner and metal seal closure
The manual strapping tool with seal closure is usually used when there are few pallets to be strapped every day and when the pallets are not particularly heavy.
In fact, the strapping operation consists in passing the strap around the pallet, inserting the seal, manually tensioning and pressing the seal. The operation of closing the seal and cutting the strap takes place by means of the same tool but requires a certain effort.
Usually those who choose this strapping system use the polypropylene strap (white or black) which has a decidedly lower breaking load than the polyester strap (green)
2) Battery strapping tools, with vibration welding
They are usually chosen for their practicality and for their speed in applying the strap.
In fact, the operator simply has to pass the strap around the pallet and insert the strap into the strap stretcher. The tensioning and welding operations are carried out by pressing two buttons.
This type of battery strapping tool has now reached a high degree of reliability and each battery allows you to strap around 200 pallets.
There are different models of battery strapping straps and the choice must be made according to the type, quantity and weight of the pallets to be strapped.
3) The last option is to use a pneumatic strapping tool
Pneumatic strapping tools are much heavier and more difficult to adjust than battery tools as they work with compressed air.
The only way to adjust them is to make mechanical adjustments or to decrease the air flow of the system. We recommend using pneumatic tools only with thick green polyester straps, in cases where a very high retirement is required.
All these types of straps must then be combined with the right strap holder trolley, which allows the reel to be unwound in a correct and controlled way. Without the carriage, the reel, once opened, would widen, becoming tangled and being unusable.
If you need to remove the strap, we recommend using only safety shears.
Without the right precautions, the tensioned strap could in fact bounce towards the operator, injuring him.
Attention: before choosing the strapping model and the type of strap, always contact an expert in the sector. Choosing the wrong equipment could lead to a lack of tightness of the strap, damage to the packaged product or injury to someone who handles or passes near the pallet.
In addition, any opening of the strap during transport could cause much greater financial damage compared to a few more euros that may need to be spent when choosing and purchasing the right strap and the right strapping tool.
We therefore remind you that our staff is available to give you further details and to recommend the right kit to start plastic strapping your pallets in total safety.
We invite you to contact us for further information and personalized advice by writing an email to info@sos-imballaggio.com OR by calling 01732123.
