Executive summary An orbital wrapping machine passes a long product through a turning ring that spirals stretch film round it. Our range runs from manually loaded semi-automatic wrappers to automatic line machines, taking products up to 400 mm across inside a larger ring. The ring size and the length and weight limits decide which model fits. A worked example matches three products to our models.
Table of Contents
- How orbital wrapping works
- The main parts and what each does
- A semi-automatic cycle, step by step
- Manual, semi-automatic or automatic
- Our orbital wrapper range at a glance
- Worked example: matching three products to a model
- Selection checklist: what to send us
- Safety and EN 415-10
- Engineering FAQ
- Next step
- Related reading
- Sources
How orbital wrapping works
The product lies flat and moves along its own axis. A ring stands upright round its path and turns, carrying a film roll with it. As the product moves forward, the film lays down in a spiral from one end to the other.
Two speeds set the result. The ring speed sets how many turns go on per minute. The conveyor speed sets how far the product moves per turn. Their ratio fixes the overlap between one turn of film and the next.
The main parts and what each does
- Ring. A large upright ring, turned by friction drive wheels. Guide rollers round its edge keep it running true.
- Film carriage. Fixed to the ring, it holds the roll and sets the film tension.
- Entrance and outlet conveyors. Motor-driven rollers carry the product in and out at an adjustable speed.
- Control box. Start buttons and a red mushroom-head emergency stop on the simple models; a PLC and touch screen on the automatic ones.
- Photocell. On the automatic models it detects the product and sets the wrapping position.
A semi-automatic cycle, step by step
- The operator lays the profile on the entrance conveyor and pushes its front end into the ring.
- The operator attaches the film tail to the front of the product.
- The operator presses the green start button at the control box and steps back.
- The ring turns and the conveyor feeds the profile through, wrapping it in a steady spiral.
- At the far end the ring stops, and the operator cuts the film and unloads the profile.
Manual, semi-automatic or automatic
Most of our ring sizes are available in manual, semi-automatic and automatic versions. The ring and conveyors work the same way in all three. What changes is who loads, starts and finishes.
On a semi-automatic wrapper the operator loads and cuts. An automatic wrapper adds a PLC, a photocell and an automatic film feeder and cutter, so it runs unmanned on a packing line. Choose automatic when the operator’s load and cut time, not the ring, limits output.
Our orbital wrapper range at a glance
| Model | Product size | Length | Weight | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economic orbital wrapper | 50–200 mm OD | over 1,500 mm | ask us | semi-automatic |
| S200 | 10–200 mm OD | over 300 mm | 10–100 kg | semi-automatic |
| S300 | 50–300 mm OD | over 1,000 mm | ask us | semi-automatic, auto cut |
| E300 | 50–300 mm OD | over 1,000 mm | 15–100 kg | automatic |
| E400 | 100–400 mm OD | over 1,200 mm | 15–100 kg | automatic |
The E300 and E400 take film 100 to 200 mm wide and wrap at 5 to 15 m/min and 5 to 25 m/min.
On the E300, 50 mm is the smallest section for a stiff product. A soft or flexible product can bend under film tension as it passes through the ring, so it needs about 100 mm. The real minimum depends on how stiff your product is, so we check it on your sample.
Worked example: matching three products to a model
Take three products from one plant. These are illustrative customer figures.
- A. One aluminium profile, 60 × 40 mm, 6,000 mm long, 7 kg.
- B. A bundle of square tubes, 100 × 100 mm overall, 3,000 mm long, 45 kg.
- C. A round bundle of PVC pipe, 250 mm across, 4,000 mm long, 30 kg.
Size through the ring. A rectangular section must clear the ring by its diagonal. A measures √(60² + 40²) = 72 mm, B measures √(100² + 100²) = 141 mm and C measures 250 mm.
| Model | A: 72 mm, 7 kg | B: 141 mm, 45 kg | C: 250 mm, 30 kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economic | fits | fits | too large |
| S200 | below 10 kg minimum | fits | too large |
| S300 | fits | fits | fits |
| E300 | below 15 kg minimum | fits | fits |
| E400 | below 100 mm and 15 kg | fits | fits |
Why weight limits matter. The minimum weights on the S200, E300 and E400 matter because film tension pulls on the product every turn. A piece that is too light can be dragged off line, so we check light profiles before quoting.
Result. The S300 is the only model that takes all three. If you need automatic wrapping, bundle profile A two by two into 120 × 80 mm. That measures 144 mm across the corners and weighs 28 kg, inside the E300 range.
Time. On the E300, a 6,000 mm bundle passes at 5 to 15 m/min, so wrapping takes 6 ÷ 15 to 6 ÷ 5 min, or 24 to 72 s. The overlap you choose sets where in that range you run.
Selection checklist: what to send us
- Cross-section of every product, with width, height or diameter.
- Shortest and longest length.
- Weight of the lightest and heaviest piece.
- Pieces per hour and shifts per day.
- Whether you need manual, semi-automatic or line operation.
- Wrapping material: stretch film, PE foil, paper or woven.
Safety and EN 415-10
We design our orbital wrappers to EN 415-10 for packaging machines, with an ISO 12100 risk assessment. The turning ring, its drive wheels and the conveyor in-running points are the main hazards. A guardrail protects the ring, and the emergency stop sits on the control box within the operator’s reach. On manually loaded models the operator steps back before pressing start.
Engineering FAQ
Q: What can an orbital wrapper wrap besides stretch film? A: Depending on the model, PE foil, paper, PP and woven tape.
Q: Can the overlap be changed? A: Yes. Overlap adjusts from 10% to 90% on our ring wrappers.
Q: What floor does an automatic wrapper need? A: Flat, hard ground rated over 1 ton/m², as for our E300.
Q: Which safety standards apply? A: In CE markets, EN 415-10 for the machine and ISO 12100 for the risk assessment.
Next step
- Email your product sections, lengths and weights to info@fhopepack.com.
- We reply within 24 hours with a proposal, with the model that fits all your products.
- We send a layout drawing of the wrapper and conveyors.
Related reading
- Semiauto orbital wrapping machine S300
- E300 horizontal stretch wrapper
- Horizontal orbital stretch wrapper for aluminum profiles and timber
- FHOPE semi-auto orbital wrapper
Sources
- Specifications: FHOPE product pages for the economic orbital wrapper, S200, S300, E300 and E400
- Machine video: orbital wrapping machine on YouTube
- Product sizes, fit and time: our worked example, illustrative product figures
- Standards: EN 415-10 (packaging machines, general safety); ISO 12100:2010
Last reviewed: 2026-10-17
