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Yield Testing

Yield testing stretch wrap film

There are generally two types of stretch film, blown and cast. Blown films use older, inefficient technology and tend to be louder when applied. Cast film technology, on the other hand, produces a stretch film with more uniform thickness for better load containment and performance. As a result, the industry has moved almost exclusively to cast stretch films. But there are a variety of cast films to choose from as well. Despite the variety of gauges, lengths and styles of stretch film available, customers often use the same stretch film for multiple applications or a less effective stretch film for a single application.

 

This is in part due to the following common misconceptions about stretch film:
The higher the gauge, the stronger the film and fewer revolutions required. Advanced resins and multi-layer technology in lower gauge films can actually deliver greater strength, comparable performance and do not require more revolutions compared to conventional films. This leads to greater yield from the roll and lower overall costs.

The more revolutions of film on the pallet, the greater the tension and load security. Wrapping a pallet with too many unnecessary revolutions can actually lead to wasted film and paying for more film than you need.

Certain stretch films are better than others for certain applications. Choosing the right film for the right application reduces waste, overall costs and overwrapping. The stretch capability of the film does not determine how well it will contain the load. In fact, too much stretch (if not properly oriented) can diminish effective palletization.

 

Stretch Film Yield and load testing by Jeaton Group

 

Companies sending out pallets don’t want to have them returned damaged due to poor stretch wrapping. They also don’t want to waste money over doing the wrap. The goal of stretch film testing is to ensure the pallets heading out are to your needed requirements. All whilst achieving the best cost per single wrapped pallet. Film yield and load testing is a practical way for the consumer to compare its stretch film to other stretch films produced. It can also identify machines that are performing to required levels or better. Using our test kit, we can evaluate the wrap on a pallet at the point of being wrapped.

This is ideal in ensuring:

  • The pallet wrapping equipment is operating as it should ie. Delivering the holding force and stretch percentage it is set for.
  • The wrap sequence is as economic as it can be.
  • The film is keeping to the desired load strength.
  • Most importantly the wrap is keeping the costs down.

As such, it is also useful in proving a different film is better in one or all the above criteria instantly. Additionally, for keeping a periodical check that pallet wrap specifications are being maintained.

‘What matters most is the actual cost to wrap every pallet and not the price per tonne of film’