Machine Stretch Films

A machine stretch film is an extensible plastic film designed to be applied by an automatic or semi-automatic wrapper. It helps to maintain, stabilise, and protect goods placed on a pallet. Its regular unwinding and stretching capacity are suited for repetitive operations and industrial speeds.

A manual stretch film is applied directly by an operator and is mainly suitable for low to medium speeds. A machine film is designed to withstand the tension, speed, and repeated cycles of a wrapper. It generally allows for a more uniform wrapping and better-controlled film consumption.

A machine stretch film is an extensible plastic film designed to be applied by an automatic or semi-automatic wrapper. It helps to maintain, stabilise, and protect goods placed on a pallet. Its regular unwinding and stretching capacity are suited for repetitive operations and industrial speeds.

A standard machine film is stretched by the pre-stretching system of the wrapper during its application. A pre-stretched film has already been elongated in a controlled manner before use. Therefore, it requires less additional stretching to achieve the desired tension around the pallet.

You need to check the width and diameter of the roll, the diameter of the core, the weight of the roll, and the capabilities of the machine's pre-stretching system. The film must also be suitable for the rotation speed, the applied tension, and the wrapping programme. Incorrect settings can cause breaks, overconsumption, or insufficient holding.

A reduced thickness is generally suitable for homogeneous, regular and properly stabilised pallets. A thicker film offers more resistance for heavy, unstable loads or those with sharp edges. However, thickness should not be chosen alone: stretchability, puncture resistance and the settings of the wrapper are also important.

The stretch rate must be compatible with the pre-stretch system of the wrapper and with the resistance of the film. A properly adjusted stretch allows for an increase in the yield of the roll while maintaining sufficient tension around the load. Excessive stretching can cause breaks or reduce the stability of the pallet.

A transparent film allows for visual control of the goods and reading of labels or barcodes. An opaque black or white film further conceals the contents of the pallet and limits its visibility during storage or transport. The choice therefore depends on the needs for control, identification and confidentiality.

The choice depends on the weight, shape and stability of the loads, but also on the speed, model of the wrapper and the handling or transport conditions. DERFI can study the machine parameters and conduct tests to propose a standard or pre-stretched film, with the appropriate thickness and colour.