Executive summary Our roll and reel stretch wrapping machine secures cylindrical loads by placing the reel directly onto a low floor-level cradle of powered rollers. The drive rollers rotate the reel continuously on its own horizontal axis while a film carriage on the frame wraps stretch film around the cylindrical body. The cradle sits close to the floor, so reels can be rolled or lowered on and off without high rigging lifts. Every packaging parameter—from roller spacing to pre-stretch and wrap recipes—is configured to match reel weight, outer diameter and surface characteristics.
Table of Contents
- What the machine does
- Why a floor-level cradle
- Turns per reel
- What we set per reel
- Selection checklist
- Safety
- Engineering FAQ
- Next step
- Related reading
- Sources
What the machine does
The machine combines roller-driven axial rotation with programmable film carriage travel. The process runs through five phases:
| Step | Machine action |
|---|---|
| Loading | The cylindrical reel enters the wrapper horizontally and settles securely between twin low-profile cradle rollers positioned near floor level. |
| Turning | Powered steel rollers rotate the reel continuously on its central horizontal axis, establishing steady peripheral surface speed. |
| Wrapping | The powered pre-stretch film carriage travels along the longitudinal axis of the machine, dispensing pre-stretched film across the rotating reel body. |
| Control | The operator sets the packaging recipe at the digital control panel, governing roller rotation speed, carriage traverse rate, and overlapping pitch. |
| Finish | The carriage completes the target layer count, cuts and secures the film tail, and delivers a fully sealed reel ready for transfer or roll-out. |
The reel rolls into the pocket formed by the parallel powered rollers. As the drive rollers turn, friction on the contact surface imparts rotation directly to the roll exterior, with no through-mandrel, expandable chuck or center-shaft clamping. The carriage travels parallel to the reel core, overlapping film ribbons across the outer diameter for weatherproofing, dust protection and hoop containment.
Why a floor-level cradle
Lifting heavy reels onto high pedestals creates handling hazards and bottlenecks. The floor-level cradle resolves this:
- Easy loading. Reels roll into position from floor-level discharge tracks, slitter rewinders or rolling skids, without specialized staging equipment.
- No lifting high. Less reliance on overhead cranes or high-reach forklift masts, with less risk of handling drops and edge damage.
- Even tension. The two-point horizontal roller cradle supports the reel from below, keeping wrap tension consistent without wobbling or shaft deflection.
- Compact. The low footprint fits beside slitter rewinders or converting lines without encroaching on crane envelopes.
Removing vertical travel from staging also cuts downtime between reels and keeps the operator workspace at grade.
Turns per reel
The required revolutions per layer follow from film width, target overlap and the axial length of the roll face. Worked example (illustrative):
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reel width (illustrative) | 1,000 mm |
| Film width (illustrative) | 500 mm |
| Overlap (illustrative) | 50% |
| Advance per turn, 500 × 0.5 | 250 mm |
| Turns for one layer, 1,000 ÷ 250 | 4 turns |
In this single-pass scenario, a 500 mm wide film applied with a 50% overlap yields an effective axial linear advance of 250 mm for each full 360° revolution of the reel:
To achieve continuous base-layer coverage across a 1,000 mm reel face width, the carriage requires four complete reel revolutions:
Engineering note: this is a theoretical single-layer pass. Actual turns vary with shoulder reinforcement wraps, pre-stretch and the number of traverse layers required for shipping; layer counts and cycle times are confirmed at quote.
What we set per reel
Reel materials range from sensitive film webs to heavy cable coils, so settings are recipe-driven per roll:
| Setting | Depends on |
|---|---|
| Cradle | Reel diameter, shell wall thickness, total roll weight, and roller center-to-center spacing to ensure stable seating. |
| Film | Film gauge, web roll width, and powered carriage pre-stretch ratios to match puncture resistance demands. |
| Layers | Target transport method, overseas container export requirements, and expected warehouse moisture exposure. |
| End cover | Specification for whether roll core ends are protected via wrapped overlapping shoulders or sealed outer protective disc caps. |
Matching cradle geometry to roll diameter prevents the load from riding up or shifting axially; matching film tension to core crush strength protects delicate hollow cores while keeping the outer wraps anchored.
Selection checklist
- Reel diameter, width, and weight: Minimum and maximum roll face dimensions, outer diameter boundaries, and maximum load capacity.
- Film width and layers: Desired stretch film gauge (microns), standard film web width (e.g., 500 mm), and target protective layer counts.
- End cover needed or not: Determination if roll ends require radial wrap overhang, manual foam disc insertion, or continuous end capping.
- Reels per hour: Peak production output demand from upstream slitters, converting rewinders, or coiling machines.
- Loading by crane, forklift, or rolling: Plant transfer method, including overhead crane hook travel, roll-in ramps, or low-profile floor trucks.
- Floor space: Available cell footprint, electrical enclosure clearance, safety gating perimeters, and aisle way access.
Safety
- Keep clear of the turning reel and rollers; moving rollers and the reel create pinch and entanglement points.
- Stop the machine before loading or unloading, and confirm a zero-energy state before placing or removing reels.
- Avoid loose clothing near the film carriage and powered rollers.
- For CE markets, the machine is designed to ISO 12100 and EN 415-10.
Engineering FAQ
Q: How does it wrap a reel? A: Powered rollers turn the reel on its horizontal axis while the film carriage wraps stretch film around the cylindrical surface.
Q: Why floor level? A: Reels roll or lower directly into the packaging pocket without high lifts, saving crane cycle time and reducing handling risk.
Q: How many turns per layer? A: Total turns equal the reel width divided by the carriage axial advance per turn. In our standard illustrative example (1,000 mm reel, 500 mm film, 50% overlap), one full layer requires 4 turns.
Q: Can it cover the ends? A: Yes. Ends can be wrapped or capped, set per reel recipe.
Q: Which reels can it wrap? A: Paper reels, plastic film rolls, nonwoven textiles, metallic foils and other cylindrical goods within the engineered diameter and weight limits of the roller cradle.
Q: Which standards apply? A: For CE markets, ISO 12100 and EN 415-10.
Next step
We match a roll and reel wrapper in three steps:
- Submit your layout drawing with reel sizes, weights, and required reels per hour directly to info@fhopepack.com.
- Receive a proposal within 48 hours complete with dimensional layout drawings, cycle time projections, and mechanical specifications.
- Book a site survey so we confirm the loading method.
Related reading
- Online Paper Roll Wrapping Machine
- Long Roll Film Sleeving and Robot Palletizing Line
- Horizontal Orbital Wrapping Machine for Pipes
- Stretch wrapping machine
Sources
- Machine content: FHOPE engineering team, 2026-10-10
- Clip: the video on YouTube
- Turns per reel: our worked example, illustrative values
- Standards scope: ISO 12100:2010; EN 415-10:2014
- Proposal timing: approved house CTA (proposal within 48 hours)
Last reviewed: 2026-10-29
