> **Executive summary**
> A film covering machine bonds protective film to a sheet at a pair of rollers, then parts the film so each sheet leaves on its own.
> Our machine in this clip runs white sheets under green film and sends each covered sheet out at the lower discharge.
> Output follows from **line speed** and **sheet pitch**, the sheet length plus the gap to the next one. Both are set per project.
Table of Contents
- What the video shows
- What happens at the nip
- Estimating output
- Common faults and their causes
- Controls and safety
- Selection checklist for a film covering machine
- Engineering FAQ
- Next step
- Related reading
- Sources
What the video shows
The clip opens close up on the roller nip of our film covering machine. Green film runs in at an angle from the roll above and meets the top face of a white sheet between two rollers. The blue frame and red air lines sit just above the nip.
The camera then drops below the nip as the covered sheet runs out. The sheet slides down the lower guides on metal support rollers and leaves the machine flat, with clean, straight edges. The film is cut between sheets inside the machine, out of shot.
What happens at the nip
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Film entry | Film runs from the roll into the nip at an angle |
| Bonding | The rollers press the film onto the sheet face |
| Cutting | The film is cut between one sheet and the next |
| Discharge | The covered sheet slides out on the lower guides |
The film enters at an angle so it meets the sheet just at the nip, which keeps air out from under it. Even pressure across the full width gives a flat, bubble-free cover.
Estimating output
Output depends on how fast the sheet moves and how much room each sheet takes. Illustrative example at 10 m/min with 2.5 m sheets and a 0.5 m gap:
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Line speed (illustrative) | 10 m/min |
| Sheet length | 2.5 m |
| Gap between sheets | 0.5 m |
| Sheet pitch, 2.5 + 0.5 | 3.0 m |
| Sheets per minute, 10 ÷ 3.0 | about 3.3 |
| Sheets per hour | about 200 |
A shorter gap raises output, but the cutter needs room between sheets. Feed sheets at an even pitch so each cut lands in the gap.
Common faults and their causes
| Fault | Usual cause |
|---|---|
| Air bubbles | Low nip pressure or uneven film tension |
| Wrinkles | Film tension too low or film running off line |
| Film overhang at ends | Gap uneven, so the cut is off the sheet end |
| Marks on soft faces | Nip pressure too high |
Set pressure and tension by trial on your sheet and film before production.
Controls and safety
The nip rollers and the film cutter are the hazards. Keep hands clear of both while the machine runs, and stop it before you clear a jam or thread new film.
The standards that apply depend on the destination market. For CE markets, ISO 12100 sets the risk-assessment method and EN 415-10 sets general requirements for packaging machines.
Selection checklist for a film covering machine
- [ ] Sheet width, length and thickness, smallest to largest.
- [ ] Sheet material and surface finish.
- [ ] Film type, width and roll size.
- [ ] Sheets per hour.
- [ ] Gap you can hold between sheets.
- [ ] How covered sheets are collected after discharge.
Engineering FAQ
Q: Does the machine cut the film itself?
A: Yes. The film is cut between sheets inside the machine, so each sheet leaves on its own. The cutter sits inside the machine, out of shot.
Q: Why does the film enter at an angle?
A: So it meets the sheet right at the nip, which keeps air out from under the film.
Q: How many sheets per hour?
A: Line speed divided by sheet pitch. Our 10 m/min example with 3.0 m pitch gives about 200 per hour.
Q: What causes bubbles?
A: Usually low nip pressure or uneven film tension. Adjust both by trial.
Q: What sheets can it cover?
A: Flat sheets that can run on the rollers, such as plastic, composite or metal sheet.
Next step
We plan your film covering machine in three steps:
1. **Submit your layout drawing** with sheet sizes and output to **info@fhopepack.com**.
2. **Receive a proposal within 48 hours**, with the film and cutting plan.
3. **Book a site survey** to check the infeed and discharge layout.
Related reading
- [Video: automatic protective foil application on sheets](https://www.fhopepack.com/videos/automatic-protective-foil-application-on-sheets/)
- [Video: protective foil application machine on sheet](https://www.fhopepack.com/videos/protective-foil-application-machine-on-sheet/)
- [Automatic strapping machines](https://www.fhopepack.com/Automatic-Strapping-Machine/)
Sources
- Machine content: FHOPE engineering team, 2026-10-04
- Output example: our worked example, illustrative values
- Machine in action: [our video on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FFQodxQ8zs)
- Standards scope: [ISO 12100:2010](https://www.iso.org/standard/51528.html), [EN 415-10:2014](https://www.nen.nl/en/nen-en-415-10-2014-en-191845)
Last reviewed: 2026-10-04
