Turntable Pallet Wrapper with Auto Film Cutting for Carton Pallets

Executive summary Carton pallets need film that holds every layer together and ends in a clean cut, so the next pallet can start without a person at the machine. Our turntable pallet wrapper with auto film cutting does this: a pallet of cartons turns on the turntable while the carriage on the column lays film from top to base. Wrap turns follow from the load height and the film overlap. We set both per project.

Table of Contents

Station sequence: load, wrap and cut

The station processes stacked carton pallets through a continuous, operator-free wrapping sequence:

  1. Load entry and positioning: A pallet load of stacked cartons is centered onto the heavy-duty turntable via forklift or pallet truck.
  2. Cycle initiation: The operator starts the automated cycle at the mast panel or via remote control; the turntable accelerates smoothly under frequency inverter control while the carriage dispenses film from the initial containment point.
  3. Automated vertical wrapping: The powered film carriage traverses vertically (2.9 m/min carriage speed [manufacturer rating]) along the rigid column mast, applying pre-stretched film across the load profile according to preset bottom, middle, and top turn counts.
  4. Tail clamping, cutting, and wiping: At cycle completion, an integrated pneumatic clamping system grips the leading film tail for the next cycle, an impulse hot-wire cutter separates the film cleanly, and an automated soft wipe brush smooths the tail against the pallet face.
  5. Home position stop: The turntable automatically aligns and resets to its exact original entry angle (auto-homing), allowing clear pallet discharge without manual intervention.

How the wrap and cut cycle works

Step What happens
Load The carton pallet is set on the turntable
Start The cycle starts at the column panel
Wrap The turntable turns and the carriage lays film
Cut The film is cut at the end of the cycle
Unload The wrapped pallet is taken away

Automatic cutting means the operator does not have to cut and tuck the film tail by hand. The pneumatic film cutting, clamping, and wiping mechanism catches the film tail automatically, holding it ready for the subsequent pallet load [manufacturer rating]. For a cutter that also clamps and wipes the tail, see our automatic pallet stretch wrapping machine with film cutter.

Wrap turns for a carton load

Illustrative example for a 1,000 mm high carton load:

Item Value
Load height 1,000 mm
Film width (illustrative) 500 mm
Overlap (illustrative) 50%
Rise per turn 250 mm
Turns down from the top, 1,000 ÷ 250 4
Base and top turns (illustrative) 2 + 2
Turns back up (illustrative) 4
Total turns 12

Extra base turns tie the bottom carton layer to the pallet. Standard film specifications accommodate 500 mm width, 76 mm core diameter, 0.025 mm (25 µm) LLDPE roll stock weighing up to 15 kg with roll lengths of 500 m to 1,500 m [manufacturer rating].

Settings for carton loads

Setting Why it matters for cartons
Film tension Too high crushes carton corners
Base turns Tie the bottom layer to the pallet
Top turns Hold the top layer
Overlap Even cover over every carton seam

We set film tension on trial with your cartons. Modern HMI and PLC control platforms permit independent adjustment of bottom, middle, and top winds across 0–99 winds [manufacturer rating]. An integrated powered pre-stretch controller standardizes film expansion at 250% (optional variable ranges of 100%–300%), isolating high wrapping containment tension from fragile carton edges [manufacturer rating]. Dedicated digital wrap counters maintain cycle integrity through dedicated re-wrap and overwrap parameters.

Controls and safety

The turntable turns (up to 12 rpm max speed [manufacturer rating]) and the carriage moves on the column during the cycle, and the cutter acts at the end. Keep clear of the turntable while it turns. The machine platform integrates an automatic photoelectric sensor for load-height tracking, a mushroom-head emergency stop push button, and lockable main electrical disconnects for safe Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) maintenance procedures [manufacturer rating]. 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 turntable pallet wrapper with film cutting

  • Pallet size and load height.
  • Carton strength.
  • Loads per hour.
  • Film width and pre-stretch.
  • Loading by forklift or pallet jack.
  • Floor space and power supply.

Engineering FAQ

Q: How many turns does a carton pallet need? A: It depends on load height, film width, overlap and extra base and top turns: about 12 for a 1,000 mm high load with 500 mm film at 50% overlap in our example.

Q: Why cut the film automatically? A: So the operator does not cut and tuck the tail by hand. The pneumatic scissor clamp secures the tail so the next pallet cycle starts automatically.

Q: Can film tension crush cartons? A: Yes, if set too high; we set it on trial with your cartons using our powered pre-stretch system to hold containment force without inward structural crushing.

Q: What do base turns do? A: They tie the bottom carton layer to the pallet.

Q: Where is the cycle started? A: At the panel on the column or through a wireless operator remote.

Next step

We plan your turntable pallet wrapper in three steps:

  1. Submit your layout drawing with pallet sizes, heights and loads per hour to info@fhopepack.com.
  2. Receive a proposal within 48 hours, with the machine and film plan.
  3. Book a site survey to check the loading area and floor.

Sources

Last updated: 2026-10-29

Related Posts

Book A Call
Book A Call