Automatic Inline Pallet Wrapper Factory Test Run: What to Check Before It Ships

Executive summary This 4-minute clip is a factory test run of one of our automatic pallet wrappers, set up in line with powered roller conveyors. Carton loads on plastic pallets ride in on the conveyor, are wrapped on the turntable and roll out the other side. Below we walk through the clip and list what to check on your own test run, with the turntable, film and pre-stretch values to compare.

Table of Contents

What the clip shows

The clip runs about 4 minutes in our assembly hall.

  • Opening: a stack of brown cartons on a blue plastic pallet waits on the infeed roller conveyor. A load wrapped earlier stands on the far side.
  • First minute: the load moves onto the yellow turntable, which has its own rollers level with the conveyor. The film carriage runs on the mast while the table turns.
  • Middle of the clip: the camera moves around the cell. The wrapped load sits on the turntable, fully covered in clear stretch film.
  • Final part: the wrapped load leaves on the outfeed conveyor and the next carton load is ready at the side.

One operator watches the cycle. Nobody ties or cuts the film by hand during the clip.

How the inline layout works

In an inline wrapper the turntable is part of the conveyor line:

  1. Infeed: the pallet rolls from the infeed conveyor onto the rollers in the turntable.
  2. Wrap: the table turns while the film carriage travels up and down the mast.
  3. Cut and clamp: the film is cut and held by the clamp, ready for the next load.
  4. Outfeed: the turntable stops in line and the load rolls out.

For another conveyor-fed example, see our turntable pallet wrapper with conveyor. Because the turntable and conveyors sit in one horizontal line, a forklift only loads the start of the line and unloads the end.

Reference values for an inline pallet wrapper

From our B100 and B200 automatic pallet wrapper pages:

Item B100 B200
Turntable diameter 2200 mm 1800 mm or 2000 mm
Turntable load max 2000 kg 2000 kg (option 2500–3000 kg)
Turntable speed max 12 rpm 3–12 rpm
Pre-stretch 250% (100–300%) up to 200%
Output min. 24 loads/hour —
Film LLDPE 0.025 mm, 500 mm wide, 76 mm core —
Packing height — 2800 mm (option)
Air supply 6–8 kgf/cm² (about 0.6–0.8 MPa) —

Use these as values to compare on your own test run; the model and settings for the clip are not on screen. Every wrapper is configured per project, so the figures can change.

What to check on a factory test run

A factory acceptance test (FAT) is the cheapest place to find a problem. Bring your own load, or a dummy load of the same size and weight.

  • Transfer: the pallet should roll on and off the turntable without catching at the roller gaps.
  • Stop position: the turntable must stop with its rollers aligned to the conveyor every time.
  • Height detection: the carriage should find the top of the load with the photocell sensor.
  • Film start and end: the clamp holds the leading edge, the cut is clean, and the tail is wiped onto the load so it does not hang loose.
  • Layers and zones: check that the top, bottom and middle get the wraps you specified.
  • Cycle time: time a full cycle and compare it with the loads per hour your line needs.

Film program and number of layers

Film use depends on the carriage program, not on a fixed figure.

Carriage program Layers on the load
One pass, bottom to top 1 layer
Up–down–up–down 4 layers

Pre-stretch changes how far each metre of film goes. Set the program and pre-stretch on the control panel during the test, then weigh a film roll before and after a set number of loads.

Selection checklist for an inline pallet wrapper

  • Pallet size, load height and heaviest load.
  • Loads per hour, including peaks.
  • Conveyor height and direction of flow.
  • Film type, roll width and core size you already buy.
  • Top sheet or strapping after wrapping, if needed.
  • Space for the infeed and outfeed conveyors.

Controls and safety

The standards that apply depend on the destination market. For CE markets, EN 415-6 covers pallet wrapping machines and ISO 12100 sets the risk-assessment method, which fixes guarding and the emergency-stop arrangement.

On the B100 the wrapper runs from a PLC with buttons and HMI, and the turntable has soft start and soft stop. Guarding around the turntable is set in the risk assessment for each layout.

Engineering FAQ

Q: Is the machine in the clip a turntable or a rotary arm wrapper? A: A turntable wrapper with rollers in the table, so the pallet can roll through in line.

Q: How many loads per hour can an inline wrapper handle? A: Our B100 page gives a minimum of 24 loads per hour. The real figure depends on load height and the number of wraps.

Q: How heavy a load can the turntable take? A: 2000 kg on the B100 and B200, with 2500–3000 kg as a B200 option.

Q: Does the operator need to tie the film to the pallet? A: No. The clamp holds the film start, and after the cycle the film is cut and held by the clamp for the next load.

Q: What pre-stretch can be tested? A: The B100 runs 250% pre-stretch, adjustable from 100% to 300%; the B200 reaches up to 200%.

Q: Can we add a top sheet? A: Yes. Our B300 adds a film top covering over the load. The pneumatic top plate on the B200 is different: it holds the load steady while it turns.

Next step

We size an inline pallet wrapper in three steps:

  1. Submit your layout drawing with pallet size, load height and weight, and loads per hour, to info@fhopepack.com.
  2. Receive a proposal within 48 hours, with the turntable, conveyor layout and film program.
  3. Book a site survey so we confirm conveyor height, flow direction and floor space.

Sources

Last reviewed: 2026-10-06

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