|
About:
|
Types of Stretch Film
There are many brands and configurations of stretch wrap film in the market today, as a matter of fact there are too many and its confusing to say the least.
Broken into two main categories of Hand Stretch Film and Machine Stretch Film depending on how the product is applied the rest of the variations are focused on gauge, manufacturing and application.
What is Hand Stretch Film?
Stretch film designed specifically to be applied manually is referred to as hand stretch film. It is also referred to as hand film, hand stretch wrap, hand wrap or manual pallet wrap. It is typically utilized in lower volume packaging operations. However the efficiency of manual stretch wrap packaging should be regularly re-evaluated against potential benefits of upgrading to a machine applied films.
Choosing the right stretch applicator will result in more efficient and cost effective packaging operations.
What is Machine Stretch Film?
Stretch film designed to be applied with a stretch wrap machine is referred as machine stretch film. It provides many advantages over hand film including: faster and more efficient packaging, reduced packaging material costs, safer application, more secure loads and more.
Common Machine Stretch Film Types
Blown Stretch Film
Cast Stretch Film
Pre-stretched Film
Specialty Stretch Film
The basics of the stretch wrap world are that the heavier your load and the farther it travels the more film you will require to secure it. With this in mind the process requires knowledge, experience and expertise to select the most cost effective solution for your shipping requirements.
What is Cast Stretch Film?
Cast Stretch Film, otherwise known as Cast Film or Cast Wrap, is manufactured using the cast extrusion process.
Typical Characteristics of Cast Stretch Films
Excellent Optics
Clear
Glossy
Superior Tear Resistance
Quiet Unwind
Consistent Cling
Consistent Film Thickness
What are Pre-stretched Films?
Pre-stretched film is film that has been stretched (or pre-stretched) during the manufacturing process and then rolled onto cores for customer sale.
Pre-stretch Film Benefits:
Safer and easier operator application
Less operator effort required to wrap pallet loads
Less waste to landfill
Reduced neck down eliminates revolutions and trips around the pallet
Lighter rolls reduce operator fatigue and staff loss time injuries
Pre-stretch films are recyclable
Pre-stretched film is strong, consistent and stable
What are Specialty Stretch Films?
Specialty stretch films are designed to answer very specific packaging needs that more general purpose stretch packaging products cannot accommodate. A small sample of some specialty stretch packaging films are below.
UVI Stretch Wrap
VCI Stretch Wrap
Roll Wrap Film
Wide Web Wrap
Pallet Wrap Netting
Tinted Stretch Film
Heavy Gauge Film
Bundling Film
Vented Pallet Wrap
Banding Film
Opaque Black Stretch
Wrap Anti-static Stretch Wrap
Flexo Printing Equipment for Industrial Products
Flexographic printing is a method of direct contact printing. A flexographic (flexo) printer consists of multiple wheels that work in unison to pick up ink from an ink reservoir, deliver the ink to a printing die or plate, and roll the ink onto the material being marked.
Flexo printers are an excellent choice for these types of printing applications:
The printed message does not change often
High quality logo printing is desired
Printed logos or messages are large
Specific colors are required (e.g. Pantone colors)
Printing is only required for short production runs
The budget for printing equipment is limited
|
