All You Need To Know About Strapping Equipment
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Polypropylene Strapping Solutions
Our polypropylene strapping solutions provide a durable, cost-effective way to secure heavy industrial goods, offering high strength and versatility for a range of industrial and commercial applications. Resistant to moisture and available in various colours, polypropylene strapping is ideal for both indoor and outdoor use unlike metal strapping. Enhance your plastic strapping with complementary products such as shrink wrap and stretch film for a secure, multi-layered approach.
Polypropylene strapping solutions for your workplace
With the ever-growing popularity of purchasing products online, the need for quality packaging supplies has also increased. However, for larger, heavier industrial goods, you'll really need to opt for much tougher packaging aids.That's where polypropylene strapping equipment comes into its own. Plastic strapping can be used in conjunction with a range of other packaging materials and can also be used alone, for instance to attach an item securely to a wooden pallet.Polyester and Polypropylene Strapping
Plastic strapping is generally made from a plastic resin such as polypropylene, also known as PP, or polyester PET. Both of which are extremely strong. PP strapping is resistant to moisture and is therefore suitable for outdoor use for short periods of time. If you are intending to use your plastic strapping outside, black is the best option as it has an extended UV life, with white, blue and yellow also available.
Polypropylene strapping is incredibly strong. It also doesn't mind being stretched and can cope with being under tension for long durations. This makes it extremely versatile and an extremely popular packaging material in a wide range of environments.
Unlike its alternative, metal strapping, PP or PET won't rust so there's no risk of it leaving residue. Plastic strapping is also cheaper and the majority can be recycled too! The soft edges are less likely to damage your products while it's also less likely to cause injury when removed as it doesn't snap back as much as metal strapping can.
'Belt and Braces' Packaging Approach
Popular products used alongside plastic strapping are shrink wrap films, heavy-duty cardboard packaging and stretch wrap film. Adding strapping to any of these alternative packaging options creates a 'belt and braces' approach.
What banding equipment do you need before you start?
To use reels of strapping effectively, you'll need to ensure you have the correct tools. There are strapping kits available which can include everything you need to get started. Common starter kit contents could include, a reel of strapping (obviously!), dispenser trolley, tensioner, cutter, sealer and seals. All of these tools are designed for hand strapping, and are available separately as well as part of kits.
Strapping Tensioning Tools
Strapping tensioning tools are used to, yes you guessed it, create tension and tighten your strapping around the item. Once you've stretched your strapping to your desired tension, you can use a cutting tool to remove the rest of the reel.
Sealing Tools
You'll also require a sealer. Sealing tools vary depending on whether you are using polyester or polypropylene strapping, so double-check you have the correct one before you begin. Unless you invest in a friction strapping seal tool, you will need to use metal seals or buckles along with your sealer.
Friction sealing tools are ideal for high-volume environments as they're quite an investment. They both tension and seal and are designed for use with polypropylene and extruded polyester banding but are not suitable for use with woven polyester.
For pallet strapping a combination tool could be an excellent choice. It will save you having to go back and forth around your pallet to swap tools. Which could save a lot of time and effort over the course of a working day! Strapping is great used in conjunction with pallets as you can wrap it around the planks of a wooden pallet to hold your item firmly in place. If you, like us, don't have arms like Mr Tickle, a pallet probe is the ideal accessory for helping you to feed all-duty polypropylene strapping through pallets and out the other side.
Dispenser Trolleys
Strapping reels are often supplied in long lengths, with some measuring an impressive 2000 metres. With this length comes some significant weight. So to prevent back-breaking lifting, a dispenser trolley is highly recommended. Strapping trolleys, by nature make items simple to move from one location to another, the dispenser also makes unrolling a strip of strapping so much easier.
Metal Strapping for Heavy-Duty Banding
Polypropylene strapping kits are a great place to start and work well for both medium-duty and heavy-duty strapping tasks. However, for extra-heavy-duty banding, steel banding is the best choice. If you do opt for steel banding, you'll need separate cutting tools and tensioners, but for the majority of strapping needs, standard-duty strapping kits are just the job.
Packaging Solutions to Complement Your Plastic Strapping
There's also a huge selection of packaging solutions to complement your plastic strapping, including box cutters and safety knives, shrink wrap and heat sealers, packing dispensers, tapes, staple guns, and industrial weighing scales. There are even specifically designed packing workbenches equipped with packing dispenser rails and storage shelves, just the ticket for those smaller packing jobs.
If you need any help deciding which packaging product is best for you, or further information on any of our strapping machines, our technical product experts are just a phone call away. Give them a ring on 0808 258 1008 and they'll be happy to advise.
