A basic guide to strapping tools and industrial packaging machinery

A basic guide to strapping tools and industrial packaging machinery


Strapping Bands or Strapping Belts are used to bundle (or band) items together as one unit, to strap an item to a transporting structure such as a pallet. Strapping also known as bundling and banding, is the process of applying a strap to an item to combine, hold, reinforce, or fasten it. Strapping cargo prevents movement and slipping of products. When handlers are unloading the goods, the products will not fall out, reducing the risk of workplace injury. Place Dunnage Airbags to fill gaps in between cargo units to prevent movement during transportation. Lashing Bands can also be used to hold cargo units together on the container.






To maximise efficiency, use a tensioner to secure the Strapping Band, Stream Peak provides high-quality, durable, and robust Tensioners (strapping tools for PP PET strapping) for different cargo loads. We provide Manual Tensioner, Battery Operated Tensioner, Pneumatic Strapping Tensioner, and Ratchet Tensioner.






We provide Strapping Band Dispensers, which allow a smooth and hassle-free release of strapping bands to prevent tangling. They come with a moveable handle, which enables easy adjustments and oscillations. Finest steel or plastic construction offers extra strength, resilience, and durability. These dispensers can be used for dispensing steel or plastic strapping with ease.


The strapping and industrial packaging industries can be challenging to get your head around if you haven’t had any exposure to them, or their products, before. Are you feeling overwhelmed about the components that are used with the manual tools as well as the high-tech automatic machines?






Let’s get back to basics and break down everything you need to know about strapping products. With this information, you’ll be able to make the right choice for your business.






The first step is to consider if you need to implement them in your business or not. Small businesses that need strapping for carton, crates, or pallets less than 15 times a month will find a manually operated tool is sufficient for their needs. If you need to perform this task every day, you’ll benefit from investing in a strapping machine. You’ll find it will boost your productivity because it will save your team time.






You should also look at your team’s capacity. Automated machines could free up your staff to focus on other areas that need attention. This could improve productivity, motivation, and quality control. Most important is protecting your product. A simple investment in a strapping tool could drastically reduce the damage your items experience in transit. Damaged boxes or pallets can be an overhead that affects your bottom line and your brand’s reputation. More suppliers may be willing to work with you if they know your packaging arrives safe, secure, and undamaged.






Perform an audit on your loads. If you work with smaller cartons, a table or arch strapper is the right product for your business. Large crates and pallets can be strapped manually unless you’re working with large volumes. In this case, you should investigate horizontal or vertical pallet strappers.






The type of materials you need to secure will also inform your choice in a strapping hand held strapping tool. For example, industries that trade in the print media area will require specialized machines to use on palletized loads.






Another thing you need to explore is the strapping that you will be used to secure your products. They will affect the tools you use and the method you apply them. Polypropylene is inexpensive and can be used for many applications. It is usually secured using a buckle and tensioner system, metal crimping seal or can be friction welded. A tensioner tool can be used to achieve the correct tension. Steel strapping can be secured with metal crimping seals using a device that crimps the strap.






So, what types of tools will you need? Let’s look at the options:






Combination tools


This tool combines a tensioner, sealer, and cutter in a single device.






How it works: Once the strap is locked, tensioned, and sealed, the combination tool crimps the seal and cuts the strap from the spool.






Suitable for: Straps up to 19mm wide.






Safety cutter


This tool is used on plastic strapping. Steel straps need specific tools. They are like metal cutting shears or bolt croppers and may come with rubber pads on the side of the blades.






Friction weld tool


This is a combination tool. It can be used with polypropylene and oriented polyester strapping.


There’s a wide range of both manual tools and automatic machines that are used in the strapping industry. If you’re new to the market, it can be challenging to choose what’s best for your business. Read on as we take you through everything you know to make your selection process easier.






What you need to know about strapping tools for cord strapping and machinery


March 20, 2020 by Guest Post






Click here to get this post in PDF






What you need to know about strapping tools and machinery


There’s a wide range of both manual tools and automatic machines that are used in the strapping industry. If you’re new to the market, it can be challenging to choose what’s best for your business. Read on as we take you through everything you know to make your selection process easier.










FREQUENCY


How often you need to strap a carton, crate or pallet will help you make the decision. Unless you need to perform these tasks reasonably regularly, a manually operated tool will be sufficient for your business. You could even settle on a standard set of tools. But, once your frequency for packaging increases, it will be worth your while to invest in a commercial-grade strapping tool or machine. The increased productivity will pay off the overheads pretty quickly.






SIZE


If you are packaging relatively small cartons, you will be able to use a table strapper. The packages can be loaded with ease onto a table strapper, where they can then be fed through the arch of the strapper. Pallets or larger crates only have the option of being manually strapped unless they are being strapped in large numbers.






METHOD


The tools you need to use to secure strapping, and the method you use will also be determined by the strapping you plan to use.






What you need to know about strapping tools for steel strapping and machinery


March 20, 2020 by Guest Post






Click here to get this post in PDF






What you need to know about strapping machine


There’s a wide range of both manual tools and automatic machines that are used in the strapping industry. If you’re new to the market, it can be challenging to choose what’s best for your business. Read on as we take you through everything you know to make your selection process easier.










FREQUENCY


How often you need to strap a carton, crate or pallet will help you make the decision. Unless you need to perform these tasks reasonably regularly, a manually operated tool will be sufficient for your business. You could even settle on a standard set of tools. But, once your frequency for packaging increases, it will be worth your while to invest in a commercial-grade strapping tool or machine. The increased productivity will pay off the overheads pretty quickly.






SIZE


If you are packaging relatively small cartons, you will be able to use a table strapper. The packages can be loaded with ease onto a table strapper, where they can then be fed through the arch of the strapper. Pallets or larger crates only have the option of being manually strapped unless they are being strapped in large numbers.






METHOD


The tools you need to use to secure strapping, and the method you use will also be determined by the strapping you plan to use.






Follow these tips when choosing the right tools for the strap:










First, consider polyester cord strapping. It is the easiest to work with and comes in various forms, including woven strapping, composite, and hotmelt. It is secured with a metal buckle or a plastic one.






You’ll only need a tensioner as the buckles lock onto the strap preventing it from loosening.


The strap will be easy to cut using a sharp knife or cutter.


If you want to tension the strap again because the load has shifted, you’ll be able to do so using the buckle system. 


Another option is polypropylene. It’s a popular choice because it is versatile and cost-effective.  You can use it with both buckles and tensioners, or it can be secured with a metal crimping seal. Friction welding is also an option. Oriented polyester, which looks similar, can also be friction welded or crimp sealed.






If you opt for steel strapping you’ll need to use metal crimping seals to secure a package. There are further choices you can explore, such as using a tool to crimp the strap that allows it to form a firm grip.






If you choose to go with a separate tensioner and sealer, you’ll find there are certain advantages, such as a low individual weight. Using separate tools also gives you more choice because it can be used on a vertical surface. Some can also be fitted with attachments so they can secure odd-shaped packages. They are versatile so you can adjust notch strength to increase the strength of the seal, for example.






A combination tool can tension, seal and cut. Once it locks and tensions the strap, it then applies the seal manually. It is a tensioner, sealer, and cutter that is combined in a singular tool. The strap is locked and tensioned. Then the seal is applied manually. The tool crimps the seal and will then cut the strap. They are limited to straps up to 19mm wide. If you need to work with wider straps, you’ll to use separate tools.


When it comes to strapping cutters a safety cutter is sufficient for plastic strapping. Steel straps need specialised tools. Thinner grades of the strap will require similar shears, but you’ll need to use stronger tools for heavier grades.






Friction weld tools are another type of combination tool. They can be used with polypropylene, but you also have the choice of using oriented polyester strapping. The bonus is that they lead to shorter strapping cycle times and regular strap tensions. It’s suitable for high volume strapping of crates or pallet loads.


Table strappers are useful for those faced with medium volumes of carton strapping and bundling. They work with polypropylene strap sand friction weld sealing. The process is fast and leads to consistent strapping. They are usually mobile, so can be stored and only brought out when needed, which is a space-saver on the floor. Side action strappers can be mounted on the side of the table instead of under it so it can be used in wet or dirty conditions. The types of items you are packaging, and the conditions of your warehouse will determine which of these is most appropriate for you to use.






Arch strappers are suitable when you need to strap high volumes of cartons continuously. Some models are used with receiving conveyers. 






Pallet strappers are time savers if you’re working with high volumes.