The Greek philosopher Heraclitus got it right. The only thing constant in life is change.
When it comes to manufacturing and distribution, processes change every day. Maybe your customers have requested double-stacked loads. Maybe your plant manager has decided to replace forklifts with pallet jacks. Or maybe your pallet size has increased.
Because things change, it’s important to buy equipment that can easily (and inexpensively) be retrofitted in the field. This is especially true when buying a stretch wrapper.
Here are the most popular retrofits customers order for our semi-automatic stretch wrappers:
- Mast height extensions – Standard machines wrap loads up to 80 inches tall, but options are available for taller wrap heights. While 110 inches is most popular, options go all the way up to 140 inches.
- Ramp and ramp porch extensions – Loading a turntable with a pallet jack instead of a forklift requires a ramp. Depending on your facility’s layout, the ramp can be placed in the front or on either side of the turntable. Keep in mind a flat extension from the turntable, what we call a ramp porch extension, may be needed for pallet jacks with long forks.
- Base extensions – If a load extends more than a few inches beyond the perimeter of the turntable, a base extension will create more space between the load and the mast. This way, the load can rotate without hitting the mast. It is a best practice to keep your load within the perimeter of the turntable to avoid creating a pinch point between it and the mast. Wrapping only a few oversized loads is OK, but at higher volumes we advise getting a larger turntable.
- Lexan plastic cover for control panels – Establishing the machine settings to create an effectively wrapped load is important and not always easy. A Lexan plastic cover will prevent operators from tampering with the settings on the stretch wrapper. It blocks operators from making adjustments, but keeps the controls operators need, like “start” and “emergency stop,” accessible. This feature is best for applications that don’t require different wrap patterns.
- Auto Film Cut-off™ – This may be the best retrofit of all because it has two benefits. Auto Film Cut-off helps prevent injury by eliminating the need for operators to bend over and cut the film at the end of the wrap cycle. Instead, a device punctures a hole in the film causing it to tear. It’s also a productivity feature, saving about 30 seconds of labor per load for a typical user.
- The XT Cut & Clamp® 5.0 – This device automatically attaches the film to the load and cuts it at the end of a wrap cycle. Since the XT’s introduction changes have been made and older models can be upgraded. Many users upgrade so they have the latest technology in their facility for the highest production capabilities.
Let’s face it – change is inevitable and when it happens retrofits are a reliable way to extend the life of your current equipment for a relatively small cost.
This post was published on February 26, 2016 and updated on September 13, 2017.
February 26, 2016
