Be flexible for plastic pallet wrapping success

Flexibility the key to component wrapping success

McKechnie Plastic Components (MPC), part of the Melrose Group, turned to Robopac from Aetna Group when it needed complete pallet wrapping flexibility throughout it’s site at Stamford Bridge, North Yorkshire.

Aetna has just supplied the latest Rotoplat 507 machine to wrap a range of plastic components made for a wide variety of industries, including automotive, construction, packaging, medical and brewing, as well as several consumer products. It joins three other Aetna machines already purchased.
All items are palletised prior to transportation, so the pallet wrapper has to be both flexible and ultra reliable. A typical output of between 150 – 200 pallets/day is required over a two shift pattern, 7 days per week. Programmes can control several features, such as tension, amount of wrap and pre-stretch. These can be locked into the control panel memory and recalled at the touch of a button, speeding up the process, eliminating operator error and ensuring repeatability.
“Our products can range from quite small, irregular shaped items to big, heavy parts for the construction industry,” explained logistics manager for MPC, Russ Cox. “Having pre-programmable wrappers, which can store a variety of information to cover these variances, has improved the whole palletising process for us. And we can do double or even triple wraps to account for weight and instability.”
Following a recommendation from it’s packaging film supplier, MPC trialled one of Aetna’s Rotoplat machines and, as Mr Cox explained, “Quickly we found that the power pre-stretch was saving us up to 60 per cent on film usage and the reliability of the wrappers has helped avoid bottlenecks in the warehouse.”
An added bonus on the large Stamford Bridge site is the ease with which the Rotoplats can be moved around quickly to deal with different wrapping jobs, using just a simple forklift. “They are very rugged in construction,” continued Mr Cox, “so will take plenty of lifting to different locations and still plug in and start wrapping again straight away.”
The 507 machines feature a chain and sprocket system which ensures consistent and reliable turntable performance during rotation. The diamond pattern on the turntable avoids slippage while the pre-stretch facility has a ratio between zero and 250 per cent. The tower incorporates an anti-fall device for the spool carriage.
The operator can control rotation speed, upward and downward spool carriage speed and pre-stretch from the easy to use panel. The load always stops in the same position it occupied prior to wrapping which, according to Aetna, greatly improves times and costs of the process.
Aetna Group UK
Tel: 01234 825050

All about plastic pallet covers

Plastic pallet covers - the what and the why.

Plastic pallets are platforms that are used for transporting or storing things. They are used especially in industries like factories, warehouses, retail, food storage, grains, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, etc.
Pallets are often placed in rough industrial conditions with high humidity, pollution, and dust levels. It is thus very important to use covers for protecting the pallets.
Pallet covers not only protect the pallets from dust but also provide insulation against excessive humidity, thus lowering the chance of rusting, scratches, and corrosion.
They also protect wooden pallets from insects and keep the contents of the pallets safe. They also keep the pallets separated from one another. Pallet covers are a very cost-effective alternative to cardboard boxes.
There are different kinds of pallet covers: clear, flat polyethylene, heavy duty/light duty, waterproof, disposable/reusable, etc. Pallet covers are also available in various sizes. They can also be ordered as per requirements. Pallet covers are generally ordered in bulk. Sizes range from 72” to 102” in length for short as well as tall pallets. There are also perforated covers available in the form of a roll. Some covers have pleated sides for flexibility in expansion. Some suppliers provide reusable pallet covers that are made of durable canvas, suitable for all weather conditions. These covers are also resistant to mildew and mold.
Other attractions include Velcro openings for easy accessibility, draw cords at the bottom for insulation, double-thick canvas surface, etc.
Pallet cover prices range from $120 for a 90-quantity roll to $260 for a 100-quantity roll, depending upon the size and the quality of the cover. Pallet covers are also custom designed to suit individual requirements. They are available in different colors, as well as with personalized logos or markings on the cover for a customized look.
Pallet covers can be ordered online at exclusive manufacturer websites. The internet is a good source for comparing prices and options of various products. There are many sites that provide information about pallet covers.
Pallets provides detailed information about pallets, pallet racks, pallet rack systems, pallet trucks and more. Pallets is the sister site of Roller Conveyors.
Reference: http://www.apparelsearch.com/News/Articles/Pallets/pallet_cov

  Plastic Pallet Covers ...The Must Have Benefits


Plastic pallets are platforms used extensively in the storage or movement and transportation of goods and products.

Factories, warehouses and storage facilities are familiar locations, and the manufacturing, chemicals and food sectors are among the high profile users

But with plastic pallets often located in areas of rough usage, with high humidity, dust and pollution actual or potential threats, cover protection is crucial.

And the internet is a great source for comparing prices and options of various products! Pallet covers not only protect the pallets from dust but also provide insulation against excessive humidity, thus lowering the chance of rusting, scratches, and corrosion.

Other gains are content safety and protection, and the added separation of individual pallets one from another. Cost effective too, when compared with cardboard boxes.

There are different kinds of pallet covers, for example clear, flat polyethylene, heavy duty/light duty, waterproof, disposable/reusable.Pallet covers are also available in various sizes and can be ordered as per requirements.

Plastic pallet covers are generally ordered in bulk.Sizes range from 72” to 102” in length for short as well as tall pallets. There are also perforated covers available in the form of a roll.Some covers have pleated sides for flexibility in expansion.

Some suppliers provide reusable pallet covers that are made of durable canvas, suitable for all weather conditions. These are also resistant to mildew and mold. Other pluses include Velcro openings for easy accessibility, draw cords at the bottom for insulation, anddouble-thick canvas surface.

Plastic pallet covers are also custom designed to suit individual requirements, and are available in different colors, as well as with personalized logos or markings on the cover for thatcustomised look.
Pallet covers can be ordered online at exclusive manufacturer websites, and the internet is an excellent source for comparing prices and options of various products.

Plastic Pallet Covers  So Versatile


Pallet covers protects your goods against weather and dust and are ideal for overwrapping of pallets or general covering of items in the warehouse or in transit. Pallet covers, which are  are usually manufactured using low density polythene, are also known as 'Polythene covers' or 'Protective covers'

Non-shrink, giant poly bag pallet covers are used to protect machinery, palletized loads and other large items from dust and dirt during shipping, construction or storage. They are also useful as bin and Gaylord liners. .
Pallet covers come in both clear or black opaque to conceal contents and to protect against sun damage. Typical thickness are .001 (1 Mil), .0015 (1.5 Mil), .002 (2 Mil), .003 (3 Mil), .004 (4 Mil) and .006 (6 Mil).
Pallet Cap Sheets and Gusseted Pallet Covers
Plastic Pallet Covers are used to cover materials on a pallet or as liners for holding goods packed in Gaylord containers. These Poly Gusseted Pallet Covers are perfect for light/medium/heavy duty usage. Pleated sides expand to the width of standard pallet; industrial strength polyethylene offers inexpensive protection.

Five-sided pallet covers protect loads from dust, dirt and moisture, while slip sheets can be used on the bottom or over the top of a load.

Shrink pallet covers hold loads securely. They are stronger than stretch wrap or banding and provide better protection against moisture, dust and tampering. Simply place over load and heat shrink. And while on the subject of heat, plastic pallet covers with 3% UVI additive protect contents from the sun for up to six  months.