> **Executive summary**
>
> An auto pallet wrapper finishes the whole cycle without an operator at the load: it starts the film, wraps, cuts and wipes the tail down by itself. On our B100 a pneumatic gripper holds the film end, an instant heating wire cuts it, and a soft brush presses the tail onto the pallet. The machine wraps a minimum of 24 loads per hour at 250% pre-stretch on a 2,200 mm turntable.
A tall load stands wrapped on the turntable. Beside it, the yellow pneumatic arm of the clamp-and-cut unit swings in on its air lines, takes the film from the carriage, cuts it and holds the new film end for the next pallet.
Table of Contents
- Semi-automatic vs automatic
- The film clamp, cut and wipe system
- Automatic cycle
- Specifications (B100)
- Worked example: cycle time and film
- Selection checklist
- Safety: EN 415-6 and ISO 12100
- Engineering FAQ
- Next step
- Related reading
- Sources
Semi-automatic vs automatic
| Step | Semi-automatic wrapper | Auto pallet wrapper |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Film start | operator ties the film to the pallet | gripper holds the film end |
| Wrapping | automatic | automatic |
| Film cut | operator cuts by hand | heating wire cuts the film |
| Tail | operator tucks the tail | brush wipes the tail onto the load |
| Operator at the load | every cycle | not needed |
The time saved is not only the cut. The operator no longer walks to the load twice per pallet, and the forklift driver can load and unload without leaving the truck.
The film clamp, cut and wipe system
- **Gripper bars.** Scissor-like bars hold the film end at the start of the cycle and release it after the first turns have locked it on the load.
- **Heating wire.** At the end of the cycle the arm swings in and the wire heats instantly to cut the film.
- **Brush wiper.** A soft brush presses the film tail flat against the load, so it does not flap in transport.
- **Ready for the next load.** The gripper keeps the new film end, so the next cycle starts at once.
- **Control.** Sensors and the PLC program run the sequence; the unit works on 6–8 kgf/cm² air and uses about 1,000 ml/min, about 1 NL/min.
Automatic cycle
1. The load is set on the turntable, by forklift or by conveyor.
2. The photocell finds the load height.
3. The turntable soft-starts, and the bottom winds go on with the gripper holding the film end.
4. The gripper releases, and the carriage runs up and down for the set layers.
5. The turntable stops at its home position, and the arm cuts and wipes the film.
6. The load leaves, and the next one comes in.
Specifications (B100)
| Item | Figure |
| :--- | :--- |
| Output | min. 24 loads per hour |
| Turntable diameter | 2,200 mm |
| Max load weight | 2,000 kg |
| Turntable speed | max. 12 r/min, adjustable |
| Film carriage speed | 2.9 m/min |
| Pre-stretch | 250% (optional 100%–300%) |
| Film | LLDPE 0.025 mm, 500 mm wide, 76 mm core |
| Layers | 0–99 winds bottom, middle and top |
| Cutting | pneumatic, instant heating wire, brush wiping |
| Air supply | 6–8 kgf/cm²; about 1,000 ml/min (about 1 NL/min) |
| Voltage | AC 380 V, 3 phase, 50 Hz |
| Control | PLC with HMI and separate buttons |
Worked example: cycle time and film
Take a load of 1,200 × 1,000 × 1,500 mm with 3 bottom and 3 top winds at 12 r/min.
| Step | Calculation | Result |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Carriage up | 1.5 m ÷ 2.9 m/min | about 0.52 min, 31 s |
| Carriage down | same | about 31 s |
| Top and bottom winds | 6 turns ÷ 12 r/min | 0.5 min, 30 s |
| Wrapping time | 31 + 31 + 30 | about 92 s |
| Turns while travelling | 62 s × 12 ÷ 60 | about 12.4 |
| Film on the load | (12.4 + 6) × 4.4 m perimeter | about 81 m |
| Film off the roll | 81 ÷ 3.5 at 250% pre-stretch | about 23 m |
**Result.** About 92 s of wrapping plus loading, cut and wipe, which fits within the 24 loads per hour (150 s per load) rating. About 23 m of film comes off the roll per load.
Selection checklist
1. Pallet size, load height and heaviest load.
2. Loads per hour.
3. Forklift loading or conveyor in line.
4. Compressed air available at 6–8 kgf/cm².
5. Top press or extra height needed.
Safety: EN 415-6 and ISO 12100
Pallet wrapping machines are covered by EN 415-6, with the risk assessment to ISO 12100:2010. The turntable, the moving carriage and the swinging cut arm are the hazards; the heating wire is hot after each cut. A red mushroom-head emergency stop and a lockable disconnect are fitted, and the electrical enclosure is European approved. The electrical equipment is assessed to EN 60204-1 within the CE documents, and guarding and CE documents are agreed per project.
Engineering FAQ
Q: Does the operator still need to cut the film?
A: No. The heating wire cuts it and the brush wipes the tail down.
Q: How many loads per hour?
A: A minimum of 24 per hour on the B100.
Q: What air supply is needed?
A: 6–8 kgf/cm², about 1,000 ml/min.
Q: Can it go in a conveyor line?
A: Yes. The B100 series works with automatic pallet loading and positioning conveyors.
Next step
1. **Send your pallet size, height, weight and rate** to info@fhopepack.com.
2. **We match** the wrapper and cutting system.
3. **We reply within 24 hours** with a proposal and quotation.
Related reading
- [Automatic pallet wrapping machine B100 (product)](https://www.fhopepack.com/Automatic-pallet-wrapping-machine/pallet-wrapping-machine-B100.html)
- [Automatic pallet wrapping machine B200 (product)](https://www.fhopepack.com/Automatic-pallet-wrapping-machine/pallet-wrapping-machine-B200.html)
- [Pallet wrapping machine with auto film cutting](https://www.fhopepack.com/videos/pallet-wrapping-machine-with-auto-film-cutting/)
- [Automatic pallet stretch wrapping machine with film cutter](https://www.fhopepack.com/videos/automatic-pallet-stretch-wrapping-machine-with-film-cutter/)
Sources
- FHOPE product page: B100 automatic pallet wrapping machine
- EN 415-6; EN 60204-1; ISO 12100:2010
- Our auto pallet wrapper shown above
Last reviewed: 2026-10-19
