Pallets are used to ship all kinds of goods locally, nationally, and internationally. In order to ensure that all palleted goods reach their destination, shippers have to secure them to their pallets. While large objects are easy to secure to pallets using straps or crates, smaller boxes of goods pose some packaging problems because each individual box has to be secured to the pallet. To solve this issue, shippers use pallet wrappers to encase palleted goods in several layers of plastic sheeting. These machines come in a variety of designs, but the three described below are the most common.

Turntable

With relatively few moving parts and a simple, easy-to-use design, turntable pallet wrappers are popular in small-scale packaging and shipping facilities. They include a pallet-sized turntable, a ramp to access the turntable, and a tall mast that dispenses plastic sheeting. To use a turntable pallet wrapper, simply load the pallet onto the turntable via the ramp or a forklift, attach the plastic sheeting to the goods on the pallet, and start the machine. The mast will maintain tension on the plastic and the turntable will maneuver the pallet as it gets completely encased in several layers of plastic. Some turntable pallet wrappers have automatic shutoffs, but some have to be stopped manually. 

Overhead

Overhead pallet wrappers solve some of the issues turntable pallet wrappers present. Turntable pallet wrappers can only be used on dry, level floors. Overhead pallet wrappers can be used almost anywhere. They often include adjustable feet or anchors to help them adapt to any surface. To use an overhead pallet wrapper, simply place a loaded pallet in front of the rotating mast. Then, attach the plastic sheeting from the mast to the palleted goods and turn on the machine. Typically, the spinning mast will wrap the pallet in plastic sheeting until the machine is stopped manually. 

Robotic

Large-scale packaging and shipping companies can streamline their operations with robotic pallet wrappers. These machines aren't limited to a single packaging station. Instead, they can move around as directed to wrap pallets anywhere in a facility. They don't need workers to attach plastic sheeting or to monitor their plastic use. Instead, they do everything automatically and have protocols for dispensing measured lengths of plastic for each pallet. Robotic pallet wrappers can wrap pallets before workers get to them with forklifts, removing several time-wasting steps in the packaging process.

To learn more, contact companies offering pallet wrappers for sale in your area.