Executive summary A top press holds a pallet load still so the packing step does not shift or crush the goods. Our line in this video brings a pallet of white rolls under a blue gantry, lowers the beam onto the load, holds it during packing and sends the pallet on. The press applies a clamping force to keep the load still without marking the goods, so the load make-up sets the beam force and pad size.
Table of Contents
- What the video shows
- How the pallet goes through the line
- Load on the pallet
- Controls and safety
- Selection checklist for a pallet packing line with top press
- Engineering FAQ
- Next step
- Related reading
- Sources
What the video shows
A pallet loaded with white rolls travels in on the roller conveyor and stops in the centre of a blue gantry frame.
The cross beam comes down onto the top of the load and stays pressed on it while the packing step runs. When it is done the beam rises and the conveyor carries the pallet out of the machine. An operator then checks the line on an HMI console with a graphic screen, and a green light shows on the blue cabinet.
How the pallet goes through the line
Times are read from the video timestamps.
| Step | What happens | Video time |
|---|---|---|
| Infeed | The pallet of rolls travels in on the conveyor | about 0–21 s |
| Press | The pallet stops and the beam comes down on top | about 28–42 s |
| Pack | The packing step runs with the beam held down | about 49–63 s |
| Outfeed | The beam rises and the pallet moves out | about 70–77 s |
| Check | The operator checks the HMI console | about 91–98 s |
Holding the load from the top keeps the rolls in place while they are secured.
Load on the pallet
Illustrative example:
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Rolls per layer (illustrative) | 4 |
| Layers (illustrative) | 2 |
| Roll weight (illustrative) | 50 kg |
| Goods, 4 × 2 × 50 | 400 kg |
| Pallet (illustrative) | 25 kg |
| Load on the conveyor, 400 + 25 | 425 kg |
The conveyor and press are sized to the heaviest pallet, not the average one.
Controls and safety
The press beam comes down on the load and pallets move on powered conveyors. Keep people out from under the gantry and off the conveyor while the line runs, and enter only with it stopped and isolated.
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 pallet packing line with top press
- Pallet size and load height range.
- Heaviest pallet load.
- Goods that must not be marked by the press.
- Packing method: strap, film or both.
- Pallets per hour.
- Conveyor height and line layout.
Engineering FAQ
Q: What does the top press do? A: It holds the load still from above while the pallet is packed.
Q: How heavy is a pallet load? A: Rolls times weight plus pallet: 4 × 2 × 50 + 25 kg gives 425 kg in our example.
Q: Will the press mark soft goods? A: Pad size and beam force are set to the load so the goods are not marked.
Q: Where are the controls? A: On an HMI console with a graphic screen beside the line.
Q: Can it take my pallet sizes? A: Send the pallet sizes, heights and weights and we size the gantry.
Next step
We plan your pallet packing line in three steps:
- Submit your layout drawing with pallet sizes, heights and weights to info@fhopepack.com.
- Receive a proposal within 48 hours, with packing method and press pads.
- Book a site survey to check pallets per hour and line layout.
Related reading
- Automatic strapping machine
- Video: stretch wrapping machine with top press fixture
- Video: automatic roll packing machine and carpet packing machine
Sources
- Line content: FHOPE engineering team, 2026-10-04
- Load example: our worked example, illustrative values
- Machine in action: our video on YouTube
- Standards scope: ISO 12100:2010, EN 415-10:2014
Last reviewed: 2026-10-04
