Executive summary Small plastic tube is sold in coils of a set length, so the coiler must wind it into neat layers and tie the coil before it leaves the line. Our tube coiler does this on a yellow turntable under a vertical press head, on a blue and white frame, and straps the coil before it is taken off. The coil size follows from the tube length and the tube OD. All are set per project.
Table of Contents
- What the video shows
- How the tube coiler works
- Coil size and layer calculation
- Strapping the coil
- Controls and safety
- Selection checklist for a tube coiler
- Engineering FAQ
- Next step
- Related reading
- Sources
What the video shows
A blue and white tube coiler stands in the workshop, with a red reel and yellow coil parts on its right. Tube runs in from the line and winds onto the yellow turntable, while the vertical press head above holds the coil.
Close-ups show the tube laying on the turning coil and the press head coming down. Finished blue tube coils lie beside the machine, and the fhopepack.com watermark runs along the foot of the clip.
How the tube coiler works
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Thread | The tube end is fixed on the turntable |
| Coil | The turntable winds the tube in layers |
| Count | The machine winds to the set length |
| Press and strap | The press head holds the coil while it is strapped |
| Unload | The tied coil is taken off the turntable |
The press head keeps the layers flat, so the coil is even and the straps sit square. For coils that are film-wrapped after coiling, see our automatic pipe coiling and wrapping machine.
Coil size and layer calculation
Each layer has a set number of turns across the coil width, and each layer adds two tube diameters to the OD. Illustrative example for 20 mm tube, 120 mm coil width and 400 mm ID:
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Turns per layer, 120 ÷ 20 | 6 |
| Layers for about 200 m (illustrative) | 15 |
| Coil OD, 400 + 2 × 15 × 20 | 1,000 mm |
| Mean diameter, 400 + 15 × 20 | 700 mm |
| Length, 6 × 15 × π × 0.7 m | about 198 m |
A longer coil adds layers and grows the OD, so we check the OD against your packaging and shipping limits.
Strapping the coil
| Choice | What it decides |
|---|---|
| Straps per coil | How well the layers hold in handling |
| Strap positions | Even spacing round the coil |
| Strap tension | Tight enough to hold, not so tight it crushes the tube |
| Press hold | Keeps the coil flat while strapping |
Soft tube needs lower strap tension than rigid pipe, so we set tension on trial with your tube.
Controls and safety
The turntable turns and the press head comes down with force. Keep hands clear of the turning turntable and out from under the press while it runs, and thread the tube only with the machine stopped.
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 tube coiler
- Tube OD, wall and material.
- Coil length, ID and width.
- Largest coil OD allowed.
- Coils per hour from the extrusion line.
- Straps per coil and strap type.
- Floor space and power supply.
Engineering FAQ
Q: How long a coil can it wind? A: It winds to the set length; our example of 15 layers of 20 mm tube is about 198 m.
Q: How does length change the coil OD? A: Each layer adds two tube diameters. In our example 15 layers on a 400 mm ID give about 1,000 mm OD.
Q: Why press the coil while strapping? A: The press head keeps the layers flat so the straps sit square.
Q: How tight should the straps be? A: Tight enough to hold, but soft tube needs less tension than rigid pipe; we set it on trial.
Q: What tube does it suit? A: Plastic tube and small pipe that can be wound on the turntable.
Next step
We plan your tube coiler in three steps:
- Submit your layout drawing with tube sizes, coil lengths and output to info@fhopepack.com.
- Receive a proposal within 48 hours, with the coil size and strap plan.
- Book a site survey to check the extrusion line layout.
Related reading
- Pipe packing machines
- Video: HDPE pipe coil and hose wrapping machine
- Video: double wall corrugated hose coiling and strapping machine
- Video: hose stretch wrapping machine for pipe coil packing
Sources
- Machine content: FHOPE engineering team, 2026-10-04
- Coil size 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
