Executive summary Stainless steel sheet is easy to scratch between the mill and the fabricator, so its face is covered with a self-adhesive protective film. Our film application machine presses that film onto the sheet as two operators feed it through the rollers on a long flat table. The film needed per sheet follows from the sheet length and the gap between sheets. Both are set per project to your sheet.
Table of Contents
- What the video shows
- How the film applicator works
- Why stainless sheet is filmed
- Planning film per sheet
- Controls and safety
- Selection checklist for a sheet film applicator
- Engineering FAQ
- Next step
- Related reading
- Sources
What the video shows
Two operators in green gloves guide a large flat metal sheet onto the long table of our white and grey film applicator. The roll of protective film sits at the infeed end. Its white film is printed with "SUS304", the grade mark for 304 stainless steel.
The man feeds the sheet into the rollers, and the machine draws it through. The printed film is pressed onto the top face as the sheet moves along the table. A guard covers the roller section.
How the film applicator works
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Feed | Operators lay the sheet on the table and push it to the rollers |
| Film feed | Printed film unwinds from the roll at the infeed |
| Press | Rollers press the film onto the sheet face |
| Separation | The film is parted at the end of each sheet |
| Outfeed | The covered sheet runs out along the table |
Printed film carries the grade or the brand along the sheet, so the sheet can be identified after it is cut. The print faces outward, so it is read through the clear back of the film or on the face.
Why stainless sheet is filmed
| Risk | How the film helps |
|---|---|
| Scratches in stacking | The film takes the contact between sheets |
| Marks in cutting and bending | The film stays on through fabrication |
| Dirt and fingerprints | The face stays clean until the film is peeled |
| Mixed grades | Printed film shows the grade on every sheet |
The film is peeled off once the part is finished. Choose a film whose tack suits the finish of your sheet, so it peels cleanly later.
Planning film per sheet
Each sheet uses its own length of film plus any gap left between sheets. Illustrative example for a 2,000 mm sheet, 50 mm gap and a 500 m roll:
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Sheet length | 2,000 mm |
| Gap between sheets (illustrative) | 50 mm |
| Film per sheet, 2,000 + 50 | 2,050 mm |
| Roll length (illustrative) | 500 m |
| Sheets per roll, 500 ÷ 2.05 | about 243 |
Shorter gaps save film, but leave enough room for a clean cut between sheets.
Controls and safety
In the video the roller section has a guard over it. The nip can still draw in fingers with the sheet, so feed sheets from the table and keep hands back from the rollers. Stop the machine before you change a roll.
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 sheet film applicator
- Sheet width, length and thickness, smallest to largest.
- Stainless grade and surface finish.
- Plain or printed film, one face or both.
- Sheets per shift.
- Manual feed or a feed conveyor.
- How covered sheets are stacked after the outfeed.
Engineering FAQ
Q: Why is the film printed SUS304? A: The print marks the steel grade on every sheet, so it can be identified after cutting. Your own print or logo can be used.
Q: Is the sheet fed by hand? A: In the video two operators lay the sheet on the table and feed it to the rollers. The rollers then draw it through.
Q: How much film does each sheet use? A: Its length plus the gap to the next sheet. Our 2,000 mm example uses 2,050 mm.
Q: Can both faces be filmed? A: A second film roll can be added for the lower face. Tell us if you need it.
Q: Does it suit other metals? A: Yes. Aluminium and coated steel sheet are filmed the same way. Choose a film tack to suit the surface.
Next step
We plan your sheet film applicator in three steps:
- Submit your layout drawing with sheet sizes and grade to info@fhopepack.com.
- Receive a proposal within 48 hours, with the film and roll plan.
- Book a site survey to check the feed and stacking layout.
Related reading
- Video: automatic protective foil application on sheets
- Video: automatic cutting of film covering machine on sheets
- Automatic strapping machines
Sources
- Machine content: FHOPE engineering team, 2026-10-04
- Film per sheet: 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
