Coil Packing Machine for Copper and Alloy Steel Strip: Horizontal Wrapping

Executive summary The FPC-300 horizontal coil wrapping machine is engineered for slit copper strips, brass coils, and precision alloy steel strips wrapped in a flat, eye-to-sky orientation. Supporting narrow coils directly on powered polyurethane-lined rollers prevents edge damage, dishing, and axial telescoping caused by gravity on edge-standing systems. Designed for industrial strip processing lines, the FPC-300 processes coil weights from 10 to 1,000 kg and widths from 10 to 300 mm, with a maximum radial cross-section differential (OD – ID) under 600 mm. Integrated infeed and outfeed roller conveyors allow drop-in inline retrofit into continuous slitting, banding, and packaging operations.


Table of Contents

How horizontal wrapping works

The coil rests horizontally (eye-to-sky) across synchronized, motor-driven conveyor rollers. A rotating C-frame orbital ring drives the packaging material shuttle through the open coil eye, dispensing protective material around the cross-section (OD, top/bottom side faces, and ID).

As the ring rotates through the bore, the bottom rollers simultaneously rotate the strip coil around its vertical centerline. This combined motion applies an overlapping spiral wrap along the entire circumference. An integrated friction brake on the material carriage maintains continuous, adjustable web tension (15–45 N) to secure the bundle tightly without edge curling.

Horizontal coil wrapper wrapping a flat-lying copper strip coil on a roller conveyor
Horizontal copper coil wrapper. The coil lies flat on driven rollers while the orbital ring passes wrapping material through the eye.

Why horizontal for strip

Narrow slit strip coils (width-to-diameter ratio < 0.25) lack lateral structural rigidity. When placed vertically on their outer diameters (eye-horizontal), the entire weight concentrates on a narrow tangential contact patch. This uneven load causes:

  • Permanent edge denting and burr deformation on soft alloys (C1100 copper, phosphorus bronze).
  • Center telescoping and layer displacement during rotation.
  • Tipping risks during transfer.

By supporting the strip coil flat on its face (eye-to-sky), the static weight is distributed uniformly across the roller bed. The material wraps under zero radial shear stress, maintaining slit coil integrity and tight outer wraps.

Does your coil fit

The coil profile must clear the orbital ring inner diameter, the material carriage envelope, and the conveyor width limits:

Parameter FPC-300 Design Envelope
Coil weight capacity 10–1,000 kg
Strip coil width (W) 10–300 mm
Coil outer diameter (OD) 700–1,200 mm
Coil inner diameter (ID) 400–900 mm
Radial wall restriction (OD – ID) < 600 mm (Radial Wall ≤ 300 mm)

The radial wall thickness condition determines clearance through the ring throat:

Radial Wall = (OD - ID) / 2 < 300 mm

If a coil has an outer diameter of 1,200 mm and an inner diameter of 500 mm, the difference is 700 mm (wall = 350 mm). Although both OD and ID appear within range individually, the cross-section will interfere with the material dispenser path inside the ring.

Example Coil Outer Diameter (OD) Inner Diameter (ID) OD – ID Fit Assessment
Coil A 1,000 mm 508 mm 492 mm Pass (Wall = 246 mm ≤ 300 mm)
Coil B 1,200 mm 500 mm 700 mm Fail (Wall = 350 mm > 300 mm limit)
Coil C 800 mm 400 mm 400 mm Pass (Wall = 200 mm ≤ 300 mm)

Wrap time and output

Cycle times depend on coil perimeter, rotational speeds, and required film overlap percentage. The table below outlines production rates with a 10-second conveyor indexing allowance:

Process Phase High-Speed Light Coil Heavy / Dense Coil
Orbital wrap cycle 35 s 50 s
Infeed & outfeed transfer 10 s 10 s
Total cycle time per coil 45 s 60 s
Gross throughput (coils/hour) 80 coils/h 60 coils/h
Kinematic Drive Specification
Ring rotation speed 5–100 r/min (Inverter controlled)
Roller linear speed 2–4 m/min
Overlap adjustability 10% to 90% programmable

Note: Net output accounts for scheduled roll replenishment (2–3 minutes per change).

Materials and overlap

The orbital carriage accepts versatile industrial packaging media depending on surface sensitivity and moisture protection requirements:

Item FPC-300 Specification
Packaging materials VCI crepe paper, woven PP tape, LLDPE stretch film
Roll core diameter 50 mm (2.0 in) or 76 mm (3.0 in) standard
Roll width 90–120 mm
Material roll OD Max 200 mm (governed by minimum coil ID)
Film tension control Mechanical clutch / adjustable spring brake (15–45 N)

To prevent surface abrasion on mirror-finished copper or brass, the ring rotates on high-grade polyurethane friction drive wheels. Conveyor rollers are vulcanized with 5 mm industrial nitrile rubber (Shore A 75). Ring height adjustment (manual handwheel or motorized screw) centers the ring throat to varying coil heights.

Retrofitting a line

The FPC-300 is configured for modular integration into existing slit coil packing cells between the downender/upender and the palletizing stacker:

  • Height matching: Standard conveyor top-of-roller (TOR) height is 650–850 mm, field-adjustable via heavy-duty leveling pads (±50 mm).
  • Control handshake: Dry contacts, Profinet, or Ethernet/IP allow direct interlock with upstream coil delivery turntables and downstream strapping lines.
  • Automation options:
    • Pneumatic tail clamp & cut: Automatically holds and clips film at the end of the wrapping spiral.
    • OD circumferential taping unit: Applies an adhesive band around the finished coil OD to secure media tails without thermal contact.

Utilities and safety

Parameter Operational Requirement
Power supply 380 V AC, 3-Phase, 50/60 Hz (220 V / 480 V optional)
Installed power ~2.5 kW (Ring motor: 1.5 kW; Roller drive: 0.75 kW)
Compressed air 0.5–0.7 MPa (5–7 bar), filtered dry air, ~120 NL/min
PLC hardware Siemens S7-1200 or Delta PLC with 7-inch color HMI

Safety compliance adheres to international machine standards:

  • Risk assessment: Designed under ISO 12100:2010 safety of machinery principles.
  • Packaging machinery code: Conforms to EN 415-10:2014 safety standards.
  • Operator protection: Dual Category 4 optical safety light curtains on conveyor entry/exit; E-stop circuit with safety relay reset; interlocking access doors to the ring carriage.

Selection checklist for a strip coil wrapper

  • Coil size range: Min/Max OD (700–1,200 mm), ID (400–900 mm), Width (10–300 mm).
  • Maximum cross-section: Check if (OD - ID) / 2 ≤ 300 mm.
  • Coil weight spectrum: Min/Max payload within 10–1,000 kg.
  • Material preference: LLDPE film, plain paper, or VCI anticorrosion wrap.
  • Upstream/Downstream elevation: Roller height (TOR) and conveyor line speed.
  • Target productivity: Required hourly coil count per shift.

Engineering FAQ

Q: Why wrap narrow metal strip coils horizontally instead of vertically? A: A vertical narrow coil rests on its edge, risking axial slippage (telescoping) and rim denting. A horizontal conveyor supports the full flat face, preserving strip edge geometry.

Q: What is the critical geometric limit for the FPC-300? A: Beyond the absolute OD (1,200 mm) and ID (400 mm), the coil radial wall thickness (OD - ID) / 2 must not exceed 300 mm. This clearance is required for the film shuttle to pass freely through the coil eye.

Q: What is the typical wrapping cycle time? A: Pure wrapping takes 35 to 50 seconds depending on outer diameter and overlap ratio. Total cycle time, including indexing, is approximately 45 to 60 seconds (60–80 coils/hour).

Q: Does the machine require dedicated foundation anchors? A: No special concrete pits are required. The machine uses a rigid welded structural steel base with vibration-damping, adjustable leveling pads.

Q: Can multiple wrapping materials be combined in one pass? A: Yes. Dual-stage dispensers allow simultaneous or sequential application of VCI paper for rust inhibition followed by stretch film for water-tight external sealing.

Next step

  1. Submit coil specifications: Send your coil size distribution (OD, ID, width, mass) and target cycle time to info@fhopepack.com.
  2. Review customized GA layout: Receive a 2D layout drawing and technical quotation within 48 hours.
  3. Line integration audit: Coordinate with our packaging engineering team to align upstream conveyors, electrical handshakes, and pneumatic connections.

Sources

Last reviewed: 2026-10-04