Executive summary This clip shows our automatic steel strapping station working on a tube mill run-out. A blue arch stands across the conveyor, a yellow strapping head comes down to a bundle of black square tube, and a coil dispenser beside the arch feeds the steel strap. The bundle indexes through the arch for each band, and our head tensions the strap at 7,000–18,000 N on our published data. Below we explain the station layout, the head data and a worked example for band spacing.
Table of Contents
- What the clip shows
- Why an arch station on the run-out
- Strapping head data
- Band spacing along the bundle
- Selection checklist
- Safety
- Engineering FAQ
- Next step
- Related reading
- Sources
What the clip shows
The clip is filmed beside a tube mill run-out in a large steel plant.
| Part | What you see |
|---|---|
| Arch | A blue rectangular arch frame stands across the run-out conveyor, so the bundle passes through it |
| Strapping head | A yellow head on vertical columns at the side of the arch moves down to the bundle |
| Strap supply | A yellow strap coil dispenser stands next to the arch and feeds steel strap to the head |
| Bundle | A square bundle of black square hollow section rests on the roller conveyor |
| Cycle | The bundle stops in the arch, the head comes down, the band is tensioned and sealed, and the bundle moves on to the next band position |
The arch and dispenser are part of the tube line, so bundles are strapped where they are formed, with no crane move in between.
Why an arch station on the run-out
- Bundles stay square. The band goes on while the bundle sits in its forming position, so the square tube pack keeps its shape.
- Fixed station, moving bundle. The arch stays in place and the run-out conveyor indexes the bundle, so band spacing is set by conveyor travel.
- Strap fed from a dispenser. A coil dispenser beside the arch keeps strap feed close to the head.
- One operator view. Arch, head and dispenser sit together, so one operator can watch the whole station.
Strapping head data
Our published data for the automatic steel strapping machine for tube bundles. Head drive and joint type are set per project, so we confirm them in the proposal:
| Item | Published value |
|---|---|
| Strap | Cold-rolled low-carbon steel, blued and waxed, 0.8 mm or 1.0 mm |
| Strap and seal width | 25 mm or 32 mm seal |
| Strap tension | 7,000–18,000 N |
| Feed and take-up | 2–3 m/s |
| Tension speed | 6 m/min |
| Bands per bundle | 5 to 7, by bundle length |
The station is built to order, so the arch opening and conveyor follow your tube sizes and bundle section.
Band spacing along the bundle
Worked example (illustrative). A 6,000 mm bundle with the first and last bands 500 mm in from the ends leaves a 5,000 mm span. With 6 bands there are 5 gaps, so the bands are 5,000 ÷ 5 = 1,000 mm apart. With 5 bands there are 4 gaps of 5,000 ÷ 4 = 1,250 mm. The conveyor indexes the bundle by that distance between cycles.
Selection checklist
- Tube shape and size range, and bundle section.
- Bundle length and weight.
- Bands per bundle and positions.
- Strap width (25 mm or 32 mm seal).
- Bundles per hour from the mill.
- Link to your bundling and stacking stations, such as a steel tube bundle strapping machine with seal joint.
Safety
The head travels onto the bundle and tensions the strap up to 18,000 N, and the conveyor indexes heavy bundles. We guard the arch and conveyor zone to the risk assessment, so nobody reaches into the strap path while the station runs. For CE markets we apply ISO 12100:2010 for the risk assessment and EN 415-10:2014 for general packaging-machine requirements.
Engineering FAQ
Q: Where does the strapping station sit in a tube line? A: On the run-out conveyor after bundle forming, so bundles are strapped where they are made.
Q: Does the head move along the bundle? A: No. The arch stays fixed, the head moves down on its columns, and the conveyor indexes the bundle.
Q: How tight is the band? A: Strap tension is set within 7,000–18,000 N.
Q: What strap does it use? A: Cold-rolled low-carbon steel strap, blued and waxed, 0.8 mm or 1.0 mm, with 25 mm or 32 mm seals.
Q: How many bands per bundle? A: 5 to 7, positioned by bundle length.
Q: How is band spacing set? A: By indexing the run-out conveyor between cycles; a 6,000 mm bundle with 6 bands and 500 mm end distances has them 1,000 mm apart.
Q: How fast are strap feed and tensioning? A: Feed and take-up run at 2–3 m/s, tensioning at 6 m/min.
Q: Which standards apply? A: For CE markets, ISO 12100 and EN 415-10.
Next step
We size a steel strapping station for tube bundles in three steps:
- Submit your layout drawing with tube sizes, bundle section, length and weight, bands per bundle and bundles per hour, to info@fhopepack.com.
- Receive a proposal within 48 hours with the machine data and layout.
- Book a site survey so we confirm the floor space and the link to your tube mill.
Related reading
- Steel Tube Bundle Strapping with a Travelling Head
- Automatic Steel Tube Bundling and Strapping Solution
- Steel Tube Bundle Strapping with Timber Blocks
- Steel tube bundle strapping machine data
Sources
- Clip (our footage): the video on YouTube
- Strap, seal, tension, speed and band-count data: Steel tube bundle strapping machine data
- Band spacing: our worked arithmetic
- Standards scope: ISO 12100:2010; EN 415-10:2014
- Proposal timing: approved house CTA (proposal within 48 hours)
Last reviewed: 2026-10-10
