Semi-Automatic vs. Automatic Stretch Wrappers

Stretch wrapping is an essential part of distribution and shipment processes across a range of industries. Securing loads and protecting them from the elements relies heavily upon quality stretch wrapping. While warehouses each have their own way of wrapping and preparing pallets for shipping, some methods are superior.

Hand-wrapping, for example, is not an effective solution as it can lead to contaminating products or wrapping in such a way that products might get damaged in storage or transportation. It is far more effective to use semi-automatic or fully automatic stretch wrappers. Both have their advantages when it comes to efficiency and safety and either may offer the ideal packaging solution for your company. Either way, finding the right stretch wrapper for your pack line is essential.

Understanding when to use semi-automatic stretch wrappers versus their fully automated counterparts can help you meet your business’s demands. The key difference is that human operators are still quite involved in the process when using semi-automatic stretch wrappers. Some other factors you can consider determining which stretch wrapper suits your specific business needs include:

Speed and efficiency: One of the greatest advantages of automatic pallet wrappers is their speed. If productivity and saving time are major factors for your operations, a fully automatic stretch wrapper is ideal.

Flexibility: If adaptability and customization are important for you, consider a semi-automatic that you can preload with various settings. Low-profile machines are also best for adaptability.

Quantity: The size of your operation is one of the most important deciding factors. Semi-automatic wrappers can work well for small to medium operations, while large-scale businesses will likely need fully automatic stretch wrappers to meet demand.

Safety enhancements: Though both stretch wrappers are safe to use under the guidance of qualified staff, fully automatic stretch wrappers are more remote, which can be safer.

Costs: One of the most noticeable advantages of semi-automatic stretch wrappers is that they are much more cost-effective initially. But for large operations, return on investment versus initial costs makes investing in a fully automatic pallet wrapper worth it.