Executive summary Tyres coming off a production line need covering before storage, and doing it by hand slows the line. Our tyre packing line clamps a small stack of tyres between rollers on the conveyor, wraps it in film and sends it on, so the tyres never leave the line to be packed. Whether the line keeps up follows from the tyre output and the stack size. We check both per project.
Table of Contents
- What the machine does
- How inline tyre wrapping works
- Matching the cycle to tyre output
- Black film or clear film
- Controls and safety
- Selection checklist for a tyre online packing line
- Engineering FAQ
- Next step
- Related reading
- Sources
What the machine does
A small stack of two or three tyres is conveyed directly into the wrap position of the inline packing line. Clamping rollers on both sides close on the stack and hold it securely while stretch film is applied over the outer tread and sidewalls through orbital ring rotation. When the wrap cycle completes, the clamping system opens, and the wrapped stack moves forward along the powered roller conveyor. The tyres remain on the main transfer line throughout the entire packaging process, eliminating off-line handling buffers and secondary transfer labour.
Depending on production line specifications, the packaging unit operates across broad dimensional and throughput windows:
- Tire OD range: 600–1400 mm [manufacturer rating]
- Tire ID range: 300–900 mm [manufacturer rating]
- Tire stack height: 150–350 mm [manufacturer rating]
- Tire load capacity: 10–100 kg per pack [manufacturer rating]
- Rotational ring speed: 10–120 r/min with variable-frequency drive [manufacturer rating]
- Wrapping speed: 25–35 sec/pcs [manufacturer rating]
- Conveyor roller speed: 2–4 m/min [manufacturer rating]
Dual-direction motion—ring rotation combined with controlled work rotation—creates 360° surface coverage and holds the stack firmly against shifting in storage.
How inline tyre wrapping works
The complete wrapping cycle operates through five automated sequence stages:
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Arrive | A stack of tyres reaches the wrap position on the conveyor |
| Clamp | The clamp frame lowers and the rollers close on the stack |
| Wrap | Stretch film is laid over the stack |
| Release | The frame lifts and the rollers open |
| Outfeed | The wrapped stack runs on along the conveyor |
The tyre stack pauses only at the packaging station. Clamping, wrapping, film cutting and release run as an interlocked automatic sequence, so the line keeps the pace of production as long as the cycle fits.
Matching the cycle to tyre output
Packaging engineers compare tyre output takt time against the wrapping cycle to see whether an inline line keeps up.
Illustrative worked example:
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Tyre output (illustrative) | 240 tyres per hour |
| Tyres per stack (illustrative) | 3 |
| Stacks per hour, 240 ÷ 3 | 80 |
| Time per stack, 3,600 ÷ 80 | 45 s |
| Wrap cycle per stack | Must be shorter than 45 s |
In this layout the machine must finish clamp, wrap and outfeed in under 45 s per stack. With rated packing cycles of 25–35 sec/pcs [manufacturer rating], the inline system leaves a 10–20 s margin per stack for indexing and positioning.
Fewer tyres per stack (or single-tyre processing) reduce available takt time, requiring higher ring speeds or paired packaging stations. For single passenger car radial (PCR) tyre requirements, refer to our automatic tyre packing machine and dedicated tyre wrapping machine for PCR tyres.
Black film or clear film
The packaging process accommodates different film formulations and wrapping materials depending on downstream logistics conditions:
| Reason | Effect |
|---|---|
| Light protection | Keeps sunlight off the rubber in storage |
| Clean cover | Keeps dust off the tread and sidewall |
| Stack holding | Holds the stack together for handling |
| Uniform look | Wrapped stacks look the same on the shelf |
Black stretch film keeps sunlight off the rubber and slows UV-driven surface cracking in outdoor or high-bay storage. Clear film is preferred when tread barcodes or sidewall labels must stay readable.
Besides stretch film, the wrapping carriage can run paper, PE film or aluminium foil rolls (OD 100–450 mm, width 90–120 mm) [manufacturer rating] for moisture protection on sea freight.
Controls and safety
Inline tyre packaging lines combine a rotating ring, a pneumatically actuated clamp frame and motorised roller sections. The clamp applies steady force to hold the tyres while the film is pulled on.
Perimeter fencing with interlocked doors keeps operators out of the hazard zone during automatic cycles. Clearing jams or changing film rolls is done only with the line stopped and isolated.
For European and international trade compliance, machine safety architecture adheres to:
- ISO 12100:2010: Safety of machinery — General principles for design — Risk assessment and risk reduction.
- EN 415-10:2014: Safety of packaging machines — General requirements.
The electrical controls integrate an emergency stop circuit linked directly to the main power contactor and pneumatic dump valves to exhaust stored clamping pressure upon fault detection.
Selection checklist for a tyre online packing line
Engineers planning an automated packaging integration should verify the following physical and electrical parameters:
- Tyre OD, width and weight range.
- Tyres per stack.
- Tyres per hour from production.
- Film colour and type.
- Conveyor height and line layout.
- Floor space and power supply.
Engineering FAQ
Q: Do tyres leave the line to be wrapped? A: No. The stack moves along the powered conveyor, pauses at the wrapping station, is wrapped and runs on.
Q: Can it keep up with production? A: Yes, provided the wrapping cycle is shorter than the production cycle per stack. 240 tyres per hour in stacks of 3 needs a cycle under 45 s per stack; at a rated 25–35 sec/pcs [manufacturer rating], continuous inline operation is maintained.
Q: Why use black film? A: Black film blocks UV light, keeps dust off the rubber and binds the tyres into one handling unit.
Q: How is the stack held while wrapping? A: Clamping rollers close on the stack from both sides while the clamp frame holds it against film pull.
Q: Is the line guarded? A: Yes. Steel perimeter mesh fencing surrounds all moving mechanisms, supported by safety interlock switches, emergency stops, and light curtains where required.
Q: What are the primary specifications for single wrapping units versus integrated automated packaging lines? A: Baseline comparison for system specification [manufacturer rating]:
| Specification | Standalone Horizontal Tyre Wrapper | Integrated Automated Tyre Packaging Line |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Outer Diameter (OD) | 600–1400 mm | 600–1000 mm |
| Tire Inner Diameter (ID) | 300–900 mm | 150–500 mm |
| Tire / Stack Height | 150–350 mm | 150–300 mm |
| Unit Load Weight | 10–100 kg | 5–100 kg |
| Cycle Speed | 25–35 sec/pcs | 30–35 sec/pcs |
| Roller Conveyor Speed | 2–4 m/min | 2–4 m/min |
| Operating Pneumatics | 5–7 bar | 5–7 bar |
| Power Rating | App. 4.0 kW | App. 2.2 kW (wrapper station) |
| Electrical Configuration | 380 V / 50 Hz / 3 Phase | 380 V / 50 Hz / 3 Phase |
| Control Components | PLC control | Siemens PLC, Siemens HMI & VFD |
Note: Final specifications are engineered according to exact factory layout, stacking patterns, and barcode tracking interfaces.
Next step
We plan your tyre packing line in three steps:
- Submit your layout drawing with tyre sizes, stack size and output to info@fhopepack.com.
- Receive a proposal within 48 hours, with the cycle and film plan.
- Book a site survey to check the conveyor layout and floor space.
Related reading
- Tyre packing machines
- Video: automatic tyre packing machine for inline tire wrapping
- Video: tyre packing machine for PCR tyres
Sources
- Line content: FHOPE engineering team, 2026-10-04
- Cycle example: our worked example; tyre output and stack size are illustrative values
- Machine in action: our video on YouTube
- Standards scope: ISO 12100:2010, EN 415-10:2014
- Equipment engineering specifications: Automatic Horizontal Tyre Stretch Wrapper
- Inline automation system specifications: Automatic Tire Packaging Line
Last reviewed: 2026-10-29
