A new machine

How to choose a strapping machine

Strapping machines are a vital part of the packing and shipping process for any product and work by tightly bundling boxes/materials together so that they can be stored and transported safely. By strapping items together you can prevent them from falling over or becoming loose, and so protect both the goods and the people who are handling them.

There are several types of automated strapping machines available, as well as those that can be operated manually for smaller bundles. Before choosing a strapping machine consider which one would be more appropriate for securing your goods:

• Tensioners – these are for smaller packing jobs, and are ideal for strapping together goods in bundles of around a dozen or so items. Usually hand held.
• Sealers – these can be hand held or larger manually operated machines, and are used for smaller jobs that require very secure packing, such as heavy or awkwardly shaped items.
• Combination tools – these can also be either hand held or larger machines, and combine the functions of the tensioner and sealer together.
• Semi Automated – these machines can be both automated and also manually operated to allow for specific adjustments to a range of different packing needs.
• Fully Automated – these are used in high level commercial factories and packing plants and are used for securely bundling together large quantities of items, and larger individual items at a low cost.

When choosing a strapping tool you need to consider which of the strapping options is the most economical for your business. Fully automated machines have huge labor saving implications, and once installed need very little cost to run and service. However the machines and installation can be at significant initial cost, and so you need to ensure this outlay will be offset by future gains. Hand held strapping machines are cheaper to buy initially, but will still need a significant labor budget allowance.

As with any new machinery, ensure that you get a warranty for at least 6 months, and many strapping companies also provide servicing and leasing options for larger, automated systems that may prove more cost effective than buying the machines outright.