Executive summary This 65 s clip from our workshop shows our pallet orbital wrapping machine fed directly by a forklift. The forklift brings a pallet of cartons into a vertical ring, the film carriage runs round the ring, and the film passes over the cartons and under the pallet, so the load is bound to its pallet base rather than only wrapped round the sides. The wrapped pallet is then set down on the machine bed and taken away. Below we explain the cycle, when this layout beats a turntable wrapper, and what to send us for sizing.
Table of Contents
- What the clip shows
- Why wrap a pallet through a ring
- Orbital ring or turntable wrapper
- Machine data
- Selection checklist
- Safety
- Engineering FAQ
- Next step
- Related reading
- Sources
What the clip shows
The clip runs about 65 s and is filmed from in front of the machine.
| Step | What you see |
|---|---|
| Loading | A forklift carries a pallet of cartons up to the machine and into the vertical ring |
| Wrapping | The film carriage travels round the ring, and film builds up over the cartons and under the pallet |
| Control | An operator panel with a touch screen stands beside the ring |
| Set-down | The wrapped pallet rests on the machine bed, with film running over the top and under the base |
| Unloading | The forklift returns to pick up the finished load |
The frame is grey with orange side guards, and the ring sits inside the frame, so the load passes straight through it.
Why wrap a pallet through a ring
- Load bound to the pallet. Film runs over the top and under the base, so cartons and pallet move as one unit.
- Top covered. Each pass crosses the top of the load, which a side-only spiral wrap does not do.
- Forklift feed. The forklift brings the load straight in, so a small line needs no infeed conveyor.
- Long loads. The ring wraps along the length of the load, which suits pallets up to about 2 m long.
Orbital ring or turntable wrapper
| Point | Orbital ring (this clip) | Turntable pallet wrapper |
|---|---|---|
| Film path | Over the top and under the base | Round the four sides |
| Pallet bound to load | Yes, film passes under the pallet | Only where film overlaps the pallet edge |
| Load movement | Load passes through the ring | Load turns on the table |
| Best for | Loads that must not separate from the pallet, long pallets | Standard square pallets at high volume |
If your loads are standard pallets that only need side containment, a turntable wrapper such as our inline turntable pallet wrapper is usually the simpler choice.
Machine data
Our published data for the horizontal orbital wrapper for pallets:
| Item | Published value |
|---|---|
| Pallet length | Up to about 2 m |
| Load transport | Chain conveyor, with a transfer conveyor between infeed and outfeed on conveyor-fed versions |
| Wrap control | Film delivery matched to load travel through an inverter |
| End of cycle | Automatic film cutting and sealing |
For conveyor-fed lines, see our horizontal orbital stretch wrapping machine. The machine is customised, so ring size, film width and loading method follow your pallet sizes and your forklift or conveyor layout.
Selection checklist
- Pallet length, width and load height.
- Load weight and whether it rests on the forks or on a support during the wrap.
- Forklift feed or conveyor feed.
- Film type and how many layers you need over the top.
- Pallets per hour.
- Floor space round the ring for forklift approach.
Safety
The ring and film carriage turn round the load while the forklift is close by. We guard the ring zone to the risk assessment and set the start so the ring runs only when the forklift is in its loading position and the area is clear.
For CE markets we apply ISO 12100 for the risk assessment and EN 415-6 for pallet wrapping machines.
Engineering FAQ
Q: How does the film hold the cartons to the pallet? A: The ring passes film over the top and under the pallet base, so the film wraps load and pallet together.
Q: How long a pallet can the orbital wrapper take? A: Our pallet version is set up for pallet lengths up to about 2 m.
Q: Do I need a conveyor? A: Not with forklift feed as in this clip; conveyor-fed versions use a chain conveyor with a transfer conveyor between infeed and outfeed.
Q: How is the film finished at the end of the cycle? A: The film is cut and sealed automatically.
Q: When should I choose a turntable wrapper instead? A: When standard pallets only need side containment and volume is high.
Q: How is film delivery controlled? A: Film delivery is matched to load travel through an inverter.
Q: Does the pallet turn during wrapping? A: No. The ring turns round the load; the load itself does not rotate as it would on a turntable.
Q: Does the film cover the top of the load? A: Yes. Every pass of the ring crosses the top of the load and runs under the pallet base.
Q: Which standards apply? A: For CE markets, ISO 12100 and EN 415-6.
Next step
We size a pallet orbital wrapping machine in three steps:
- Submit your layout drawing with pallet sizes, load height and weight, loading method and pallets per hour, to info@fhopepack.com.
- Receive a proposal within 48 hours with the ring size and layout.
- Book a site survey so we confirm the floor space and forklift approach.
Related reading
- Automatic Inline Pallet Wrapper Factory Test Run
- Orbital Stretch Wrapping Machine with V-Shape Roll Feed
- Pallet Wrapping Machine with Corner Protector Applicator
- Horizontal orbital stretch wrapper for pallets
Sources
- Clip (our footage): the video on YouTube
- Pallet length, conveyor, inverter and cut-and-seal data: Horizontal orbital stretch wrapper for pallets
- Standards scope: ISO 12100:2010; EN 415-6:2013
- Proposal timing: approved house CTA (proposal within 48 hours)
Last reviewed: 2026-10-10
