ITW MULLER Designed to address specific needs of the block & paver industry, the new Octopus 303 BP stretch wrapping unit features the Tail Tucker, which
ITW MULLER
Designed to address specific needs of the block & paver industry, the new Octopus 303 BP stretch wrapping unit features the Tail Tucker, which eliminates loose film tails. This patented mechanism ensures that the film tail remains secured to the load and eliminates trouble associated with loose tails in the yard, unsightly tails flapping on the trucks, and the time and money associated with rewrapping product. In addition, the LogoWrap option provides an automated and economical way to present four-sided brand or company identification on loads of blocks and pavers.
Featuring Allen-Bradley PLC control, the 303BP has shown it can withstand the harsh environments associated with concrete plants in hundreds of installations. The film carriage and sealing components do not reside near the conveyor, product engineers note, a feature that minimizes the potential for damage. The unit also is designed to require minimal maintenance.
Components include low-maintenance items such as woven lift belts, heavy-duty brushes/rails, no-lube pneumatic parts, and heavy-duty vulcanized pre-stretch rollers. The design offers what company engineers describe as high-speed productivity in an affordable, small package. The Octopus 303 BP is designed to handle up to 45 loads per hour; its ring technology uses up to 25 percent less film than rotary arm or turn-table wrappers. The Octo-Thread carriage also offers consistent film pre-stretch (250 percent standard) to minimize film usage.
In an effort to optimize load containment and minimize film usage, the company also recently developed the BP film, designed to meet the demands of the block & paver industry while helping to reduce the amount of film being used per load.
www.itwmuller.com
LANTECH
The easy-adjust Pallet-Grip load-locking system features a straddle stretch wrapping mechanism. The system locks a load to a pallet with a cable of film rolled into the bottom wraps and placed below the deck of the pallet. It captures any style of pallet in a wider range of heights Û from 4 to 6 in. high Û while retaining the ability to completely wrap to the top of the load. The system places a rolled cable of film approximately 1.5 in. below the pallet deck, while the remainder of the film web captures the load above the deck. This new design rolls up the bottom film web into a cable, then places the film cable at a predesignated point to most effectively lock the load to the pallet, unlike conventional rotary arm stretch wrappers. This system physically locks a load to a pallet to prevent costly spillage and damage due to shifting. Pallet-Grip will soon be available for retrofit on the maker’s overhead straddle stretch wrappers.
In addition, the manufacturer offers the Click-n-Go wireless remote control, which enables fork truck drivers to place a pallet load on the stretch wrapper, back away a few feet, and press a button. It also gives the operator more flexibility by eliminating the need to stop within reach of a lanyard, the other option often used for remote start. The device is capable of controlling multiple machines, and an additional feature button is used to initiate a banding sequence for double-stacked pallets. Using line-of-sight transmission and a two-step activation process, the Click-n-Go system is immune to interference or accidental activation from stray radio frequency interference in a typical plant environment. Safety is maximized by requiring two buttons to be depressed in sequence for each machine activation: the arm button initiates visual and audible alarms at the machine, followed by pressing the start button.
www.lantech.com
WULFTEC
The company offers a complete line of semi-automatic and automatic stretch wrapping systems to meet the specific needs of brick and block producers. Conveyor characteristics include 3/16-in. wall tubing; one-piece stub shafts machined from solid steel bar; hardened sprocket teeth; 1-in.-diam. bearing shaft; full weld around the tube circumference; and, tubing machined at both ends to ensure concentricity.
A combined rope & wrap pattern keeps the integrity of the package, allowing for safe load transportation. The film protects the load and provides stability; and, due to the weight of the load, the rope provides strength and security. To avoid the film tail becoming loose during transport, an automated device ties both ends of the rope. Another option is a Power Sealer, which seals the last two bottom layers together, bonding them solidly. An air-blowing system takes care of the tail left at the beginning of the cycle, and the film is cut next to the seal.
One of the company’s newest models is the WCRT-200 stretch wrapper, featuring optional elevating clamp for banding; separate double-stack and one-way wrapping mode; access to all components for trouble-free maintenance; Allen Bradley PLC with touch-screen operator interface; AC variable frequency drives and motors for safe performance and minimal maintenance; 20-in. No-Thread-powered pre-stretch carriage for safe film loading; and, Cut & Wipe film treatment system. www.wulftec.com