What a stretch wrapping machine does
After cartons are stacked on a pallet — by hand or by a palletizer — the load must be held together for forklifts and trucks. A stretch wrapper applies LLDPE film around the load, starting at the pallet base to lock the bottom layer to the pallet, then spiralling up and back down.
Types of pallet wrappers
| Type | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Turntable stretch wrapper | Pallet sits on a rotating table; film carriage moves on a mast | Most cartons, drinks, food, chemicals; loads that are stable when rotated |
| Rotary arm wrapper | Pallet stays still; an arm carries the film around it | Very heavy or unstable loads, high-speed automatic lines |
| Orbital (horizontal) wrapper | A ring passes film through and around a long product | Pipes, profiles, doors, lumber |
| Hand stretch wrap | Operator walks around the load with a film roll | A handful of pallets per day |
Our turntable pallet wrapper
The Turntable pallet stretch wrapping machine is a turntable model rated for pallet loads up to 1,000 kg and runs on a single-phase 220 V supply, so it can be installed in most warehouses without special power. It suits beverage cartons, food, cosmetics and mixed cargo.
Features that matter
- Film pre-stretch. A powered pre-stretch carriage stretches the film before it touches the load, so each metre of film covers more pallet. Ask how the carriage tensions the film.
- Top and bottom wrap counts. Extra wraps at the base lock the load to the pallet; extra wraps at the top stop the top layer moving.
- Photo-eye height detection. The carriage detects the top of the load automatically, so mixed-height pallets wrap correctly.
- Soft start and stop. Prevents light loads from shifting when the turntable starts.
- Pit-mounted or ramp loading. A ramp allows pallet jacks to load the turntable; a pit keeps the table level with the floor.
Semi-automatic or automatic?
With a semi-automatic wrapper the operator attaches the film and cuts it at the end of the cycle. Automatic wrappers clamp and cut the film themselves and are fed by conveyor — worth it when you wrap pallets continuously from an automatic palletizer.
Checklist before you buy
- Pallet length, width and maximum load height
- Maximum load weight
- Pallets per hour
- Is the load stable when rotated?
- Power supply in your warehouse
- Need for a top sheet against dust or rain
Planning the whole end of your line? Read planning an end-of-line packaging system or send your pallet details through the quote form.
Questions and answers
How many pallets per hour can a turntable wrapper handle?
It depends on the load height and number of wraps. Semi-automatic turntable wrappers typically handle a few dozen pallets per hour; send your load height and pallets per shift so the cycle can be checked.
What weight can your pallet wrapping machine handle?
The catalogue turntable stretch wrapper is rated for pallet loads up to 1,000 kg.
Do I need a rotary arm wrapper instead of a turntable?
Choose a rotary arm wrapper if the load is too heavy or too unstable to rotate, or if the wrapper is part of a high-speed automatic line.
What film is used on a stretch wrapping machine?
Machine-grade LLDPE stretch film. The film width and core size must match the film carriage; confirm them in your quotation.
Related buying guides
Browse machines: Cartoning, case packing & palletizing
