Executive summary Operating a pallet wrapper well comes down to three things: a firm film start, the right mode on the panel, and enough turns at top and bottom. Our A200 wraps a carton pallet on its turntable with a red top press holding the load, and its panel offers automatic and step modes. Film use follows from the pallet perimeter and the load height. Both are set per project.
Table of Contents
- What the video shows
- Operating the A200 step by step
- Estimating film per pallet
- Why use the top press
- Controls and safety
- Selection checklist for a pallet wrapper with top press
- Engineering FAQ
- Next step
- Related reading
- Sources
What the video shows
The operator starts by tying the film end into the pallet at the base of the load. A pallet of white cartons with orange labels stands on the turntable, and the red top press arm comes down onto it.
The turntable turns and the carriage on the dark blue mast lays film round the cartons from bottom to top. The panel display, set in Spanish for this customer, shows the menu, counter, work mode and auto or step settings.
Operating the A200 step by step
| Step | What the operator does |
|---|---|
| 1 | Place the pallet in the centre of the turntable |
| 2 | Tie the film end into the pallet base |
| 3 | Set the top press to come down onto the load if the cartons are light |
| 4 | Choose auto mode, or step mode for a single move |
| 5 | Start the cycle and stand clear |
| 6 | Cut and tuck the film tail, lift the press and remove the pallet |
Step mode runs one move at a time. It is useful for setting up a new load or checking the machine.
Estimating film per pallet
Illustrative example for a 1,200 × 1,000 mm carton pallet, 1,400 mm high, with 500 mm film at half overlap:
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Pallet perimeter, 2 × (1,200 + 1,000) | 4,400 mm |
| Advance per turn at half overlap | 250 mm |
| Spiral turns per carriage pass, 1,400 ÷ 250 | about 6 |
| Top and bottom turns (illustrative) | 4 |
Film use then depends on the carriage program set on the panel. Each pass over the load height lays one layer:
| Carriage program | Layers | Turns | Film laid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom to top only, as in our video | 1 | 6 + 4 = 10 | about 44 m |
| Up and down | 2 | 12 + 4 = 16 | about 70 m |
| Up, down, up, down | 4 | 24 + 4 = 28 | about 123 m |
Each film figure is turns × 4.4 m. The program, not a fixed rule, sets the film use. The panel counter shows how many pallets have been wrapped, which helps you check film use per shift.
Why use the top press
| Load | Press needed? |
|---|---|
| Light cartons stacked high | Yes, holds the top layer |
| Heavy bags or drums | Usually not |
| Mixed small cartons | Yes, keeps the stack square |
The press also gives the film a flat top to wrap over.
Controls and safety
The turntable, carriage and top press move during the cycle. Keep clear of them while the machine runs, and cut the film only after it has stopped. For pallet wrapping machines, EN 415-6 adds the specific safety requirements.
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 pallet wrapper with top press
- Pallet size and load height.
- Light or heavy loads.
- Pallets per shift.
- Panel language you need.
- Turns and overlap wanted.
- Floor space and power supply.
Engineering FAQ
Q: What is step mode for? A: It runs one move at a time, for setting up a new load or checking the machine.
Q: Can the panel be set in my language? A: Yes. The panel in our video is set in Spanish for the customer.
Q: When should I lower the top press? A: For light cartons stacked high, so the top layer cannot shift.
Q: How much film per pallet? A: Turns times perimeter, and the turns depend on the carriage program. Our 1,400 mm high example lays about 44 m bottom to top only, about 70 m up and down, and about 123 m up, down, up, down.
Q: What does the counter show? A: How many pallets have been wrapped, useful for checking film use.
Next step
We plan your pallet wrapper in three steps:
- Submit your layout drawing with pallet sizes and output to info@fhopepack.com.
- Receive a proposal within 48 hours, with the press and film plan.
- Book a site survey to check the floor space and power.
Related reading
- Semi-automatic pallet wrapping machines
- Video: semi-auto pallet stretch wrapping machine A100
- Video: stretch wrapping machine with top press fixture
Sources
- Machine content: FHOPE engineering team, 2026-10-04
- Pallet wrapper safety: EN 415-6
- Film 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
