Executive summary Adding automatic strapping to an aged coil packing line can be faster and cheaper than replacing the line. In this upgrade we fitted automatic strapping to an aged steel coil line, keeping the yellow roller conveyors and working alongside the plant team. Whether the upgrade keeps up depends on matching the strapping time to the line takt. We check both per project.
Table of Contents
- What the video shows
- What the upgrade changes
- Strapping time vs line takt
- What we survey on the old line
- Controls and safety
- Selection checklist for a coil line strapping upgrade
- Engineering FAQ
- Next step
- Related reading
- Sources
What the video shows
Steel coils lie eye-up on the long yellow roller conveyors of the existing packing line. Above the line, a gantry-mounted arm with a red cover lowers its head to the coil, runs its cycle and lifts away while the coil stays on the conveyor.
Plant staff in company workwear stand at the operator desk and beside the new yellow units, and one of them talks the camera through the line. Older equipment and cranes fill the hall behind.
What the upgrade changes
| Before | After the upgrade |
|---|---|
| Straps fitted by hand at the conveyor | Automatic strapping cycle on the conveyor |
| Operators inside the coil zone | Operators at the desk outside the cycle |
| Strap tension set by hand | Tension set by the machine each cycle |
| Existing conveyors | Kept and reused |
Keeping the conveyors limits the work in the plant to fitting the new units, wiring and commissioning. For a standalone unit, see our automatic steel coil strapping machine.
Strapping time vs line takt
Illustrative example for a line that must pack 30 coils per hour:
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Line takt, 3,600 ÷ 30 | 120 s per coil |
| Straps per coil (illustrative) | 4 |
| Strapping time | 4 × (time per strap + index between straps) |
| Condition | Strapping time below 120 s per coil |
If the spare time is too small, we add a second strapping head or move part of the work upstream.
What we survey on the old line
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Conveyor height and width | The new units must fit over the existing rollers |
| Coil size range | Sets the head travel and strap length |
| Power and air | Must suit the new units |
| Control signals | The new cycle must talk to the existing line |
| Space above and beside the line | For the gantry and access |
If you are building a new line rather than upgrading, see our slit coil packing line for service centers.
We plan the upgrade to keep plant downtime short and agree on the shutdown window before work starts.
Controls and safety
The gantry arm and strapping units move automatically over the conveyor. Keep people out of the coil zone while the cycle runs, and work on the line 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 coil line strapping upgrade
- Coil OD, ID, width and weight range.
- Coils per hour the line must pack.
- Straps per coil, radial and circumferential.
- Existing conveyor height, width and controls.
- Shutdown window for installation.
- Power, air and space around the line.
Engineering FAQ
Q: Can automatic strapping be added to an old line? A: Yes. In this upgrade we kept the existing roller conveyors and added the strapping units.
Q: Will it keep up with the line? A: Check strapping time against takt. In our example, 4 straps with their index moves must fit inside a 120 s takt.
Q: What do you need to survey first? A: Conveyor size, coil range, power and air, control signals and space around the line.
Q: Do operators still work in the coil zone? A: No. They run the cycle from the desk outside it.
Q: What if the strapping time is too long? A: We add a second head or move part of the work upstream.
Next step
We plan your line upgrade in three steps:
- Submit your layout drawing with line layout, coil sizes and output to info@fhopepack.com.
- Receive a proposal within 48 hours, with the upgrade scope and takt check.
- Book a site survey to check the existing conveyors and controls.
Related reading
- Steel coil strapping machines
- Automatic coil packing line
- Video: steel coil radial strapping machine
Sources
- Project content: FHOPE engineering team, 2026-10-04
- Takt 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
