FhopePack Automates Pipe and Tube Protection with Horizontal Orbital Stretch Wrapper
Efficiently securing and protecting long products like pipes, tubes, extrusions, and timber during transit and storage presents a significant logistical challenge. Manual or semi-automatic wrapping methods can be labor-intensive, inconsistent, and potentially compromise product integrity. Addressing this critical industry need, FhopePack introduces its automated horizontal orbital stretch wrapper, specifically engineered for streamlined integration into production lines handling elongated materials, enhancing both protection and operational throughput.
This system leverages the principles of orbital wrapping, where the product is conveyed horizontally through a rotating ring assembly that dispenses stretch film, ensuring a tight, consistent, and protective layer around the entire circumference.
Advanced Wrapping Mechanism
At the core of the FhopePack wrapper is a robust rotating ring carrying the stretch film carriage. This design facilitates high-speed wrapping cycles essential for demanding production environments. Key technological aspects often include:
- Powered Pre-stretch: Modern orbital wrappers frequently incorporate powered pre-stretch systems (potentially achieving ratios up to 250-300%, depending on configuration). This mechanism elongates the film before application, maximizing film yield, reducing material costs, and ensuring higher load containment forces, consistent with findings in packaging research on optimizing film usage.
- Adjustable Film Tension Control: Precise control over film tension is crucial. Systems typically employ electronic or mechanical braking systems on the film carriage to maintain consistent tension, preventing damage to delicate products (like thin-walled aluminum tubes) while ensuring stability for heavy items (such as steel pipes). This level of control surpasses the variability inherent in manual wrapping.
- Variable Overlap: The ability to adjust the film overlap via PLC controls allows operators to customize the wrap pattern based on product protection requirements and material cost considerations.
Automated Material Handling
Designed for seamless integration, the wrapper features a fully automated conveyor system:
- Infeed and Outfeed Conveyors: Typically utilizing belt or roller conveyors matched to the application's needs (considering product weight and surface).
- Sensor-Based Control: Photo-electric sensors detect the leading and trailing edges of the product, automatically initiating the wrapping cycle, controlling the ring movement relative to the product's passage, and signaling the cycle completion. This ensures accurate positioning and wrapping without manual intervention.
- Automatic Film Clamp and Cut: For true walk-away automation, reliable automatic film clamping units secure the film start, and cutting mechanisms cleanly sever the film at the end of the cycle, preparing the machine for the next product. This technology is central to patents focused on improving orbital wrapper uptime and efficiency.
Key Technical Specifications (Typical Range - Consult FhopePack for exact model specs)
- Product Size Capacity: Adaptable to various dimensions (e.g., Diameter 20mm - 500mm; Length 1000mm - 12000mm)
- Ring Rotation Speed: Variable, potentially up to 80 RPM or higher depending on ring diameter and balance.
- Conveyor Speed: Adjustable (e.g., 5 - 15 m/min) to synchronize with line speed.
- Film Type: Designed for LLDPE Stretch Film.
- Film Roll Width: Common sizes (e.g., 250mm / 500mm).
- Film Pre-stretch: Powered system (specify ratio capability, e.g., up to 250%).
- Control System: PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) with HMI (Human-Machine Interface) touchscreen for parameter setting, diagnostics, and operation mode selection.
- Power Requirements: (Specify voltage/frequency/phase, e.g., 480V, 60Hz, 3-Phase)
Enhancing Productivity and Protection
Investing in automated orbital stretch wrapping offers significant operational advantages documented across various industries:
- Labor Reduction: Automating the wrapping process significantly reduces or eliminates the manual labor required for wrapping long products, freeing up personnel for higher-value tasks. Industry case studies often report labor savings exceeding 50%.
- Increased Throughput: Automated cycles are significantly faster and more consistent than manual methods, increasing the overall packaging line throughput.
- Improved Product Protection: Consistent, tightly applied stretch film provides superior protection against scratches, dirt, moisture, and transit-related damage compared to inconsistent manual wrapping. The full encapsulation helps maintain product integrity.
- Material Cost Savings: Powered pre-stretch systems optimize film usage, potentially reducing film consumption by 30-50% compared to manual methods with no pre-stretch, leading to direct material cost savings and reduced environmental impact.
- Enhanced Load Stability: Properly tensioned and overlapped film application creates a stable, unitized load, crucial for safe handling and transport, aligning with principles outlined in load containment standards like ASTM D4649.
Design and Durability
FhopePack emphasizes robust construction for industrial environments:
- Heavy-Duty Frame: Built with a sturdy steel frame to withstand continuous operation and ensure longevity.
- Reliable Components: Utilization of quality motors, sensors, and control systems designed for industrial use minimizes downtime.
- User-Friendly Interface: The HMI allows for intuitive operation, quick adjustments, and fault finding.
- Safety Features: Incorporates necessary safety guarding, interlocks, and emergency stop systems compliant with relevant safety standards.
Learn More
For detailed specifications, application suitability analysis, customization options, and purchasing information regarding the FhopePack horizontal orbital stretch wrapper for pipes and tubes, please contact FhopePack directly or visit their website. Their engineering team can provide expert consultation based on specific operational requirements.
- Email: info@fhopepack.com
- Website: [Link to Fhope website]