Do you often worry about not having enough materials to wrap your goods? Or maybe you think you’ll have too much and waste it? Today, this article will explain in detail how to control the amount of packaging materials you use.
What is stretch film?
Stretch film, also known as pallet wrap, is primarily made from polyethylene. It offers high elasticity. This makes it great for packaging and protecting items of different shapes and sizes. It’s often used for pallet wrapping. It is also waterproof and moisture-resistant. This keeps moisture out during packaging and transportation, protecting the goods from damage. Furthermore, its high elastic recovery ensures the film securely wraps items. It features inherent tackiness, eliminating the need for additional tools and making it highly convenient to use. The adhesive is easily removable and leaves no residue.
To calculate how much stretch film is used, first find the pre-stretch rate of the roll. The pre-stretch rate is key for both how much cargo a roll can hold and for calculating stretch film use accurately. This article will also detail the calculation method for the pre-stretch rate.
Additionally, stretch film can offer UV protection or enhanced anti-static properties. In short, whatever your requirements, BestY Pack can meet them and provide customized solutions just for you!
Types of Stretch Film
Stretch film is categorized into two varieties: machine-grade and manual grade. You can select different types based on specific packaging requirements.
Machine Stretch Film:
This film is specifically designed for stretch-wrapping machines. Machine-grade film typically offers an elongation rate of 200% to 300%.
- Advantages: More convenient to use, higher load containment, better material cost efficiency, and an increased safety factor.
- Usage: Ideal for packaging large quantities of bulky items.
- Types: Blown machine stretch film, cast machine stretch film, pre-stretched film.
Hand Stretch Film:
This stretch film can be applied using handheld compact machines or manually wrapped with a stretch hoop. Hand film achieves a consistent stretch ratio of 100%–150%.
- Advantages: Compact and convenient, meeting basic packaging needs.
- Usage: Suitable for packaging smaller items and irregularly shaped goods.
Applications of Stretch Film
Stretch film is a strong, tough, and elastic packaging product. It has built-in tackiness and is non-toxic. This makes it useful for many different applications.
Food Industry:
Stretch film offers freshness preservation, moisture resistance, and oxidation protection. It effectively isolates air, moisture, and external contaminants.
Applications: vegetable packaging, food packaging, fruit packaging.
Pharmaceutical Industry:
With dust-proof and contamination-resistant properties, stretch film maintains a clean environment for pharmaceutical products.
Applications: Reagent packaging, pharmaceutical packaging, and medical device packaging.
Industrial Sector:
Boasting high strength, elasticity, and toughness, stretch film secures industrial products through bundling and wrapping, preventing cargo scatter.
Applications: pipe packaging, component packaging, palletized cargo packaging.
Automotive Industry:
Stretch film’s high strength, toughness, and exceptional protective properties safeguard automotive components.
Applications: Interior trim packaging, automotive parts packaging, tire packaging.
Agricultural Industry:
Stretch film’s moisture-proof, water-resistant, and light-transmitting characteristics create optimal growing conditions for crops and protect them during transport.
Applications: Crop packaging, produce packaging, greenhouse vegetable covering
How to Calculate Stretch Film Usage
Calculation Method
Step 1: Prepare measuring tools, specifically a ruler. Accurately measure the specifications and dimensions of the items or pallets you intend to wrap. Based on these dimensions, calculate the length required for one full wrap of film.
Step 2: Convert the measured values to inches and record the length, width, and height of the item or pallet.
Example: 1 cm = 0.04 in
Step 3: Next, calculate the total amount needed per item or pallet. Simply multiply the length of one wrap around by the total number of wraps to determine the usage for one pallet or item.
Example: Pallet dimensions: 45 in × 45 in × 63 in
6 wraps required: 45 inches × 6 = 270 inches
Assuming a pre-stretch rate of 150%: 270 / (1 + 1.5) = 108 inches
108 inches = 2.743 meters
You can use this method to find the exact stretch film needed for each packaging or shipping task. This also helps with weekly and monthly usage, preventing waste.
Factors to Exclude When Determining Usage Quantity
Of course, this is merely an ideal calculation method and cannot precisely determine the exact usage quantity each time. Therefore, we must also exclude certain factors that influence our results. The environment has a big impact. Different conditions require different thicknesses and strengths for stretch film. For instance, in low-temperature environments, we should select stretch film with higher strength. Second, load weight and stability must be taken into consideration. Larger items or pallets require more stretch film to ensure secure packaging and protection.
Film type matters. Machine-applied stretch film and hand stretch film use different amounts. Finally, roll dimensions vary widely. Choose the right size before use. This helps with better packaging and protects goods or pallets.
How to Calculate Stretch Film Stretch Rate
The pre-stretch rate refers to the ratio of the original length of the packaging film to its maximum stretchable length. The core factor for how much cargo a roll of stretch wrap can hold is crucial. It also helps in accurately figuring out stretch film usage.
- Step 1: Mark the film for easy measurement. Unroll a section of stretch film and draw a 10-inch line on it, positioning this line a fixed distance from the end of the film.
- Step 2: Wrap the stretch film around the pallet several times. After wrapping a few layers, measure the length of the marked line and record it.
- Step 3: Calculate the stretch percentage. Subtract the original line length from the stretched line length, then divide the result by the original line length.
- Step 4: Determine the effective usable length of the stretched film. Use the formula to calculate:
Formula: (1 + Stretch Rate) × Length per Roll of Stretch Film
Choosing BestYback Stretch Film Solutions
We offer tailored methods to reduce your stretch film consumption, helping you select products that precisely meet your needs during the purchasing process. These approaches not only help lower costs but also minimize waste and packaging errors. As a leading stretch film manufacturer in China, BestYback is here to assist you—whether you have questions during product selection or after purchase. Most importantly, we offer customization services tailored to your specific requirements.
FAQ:
Why do we need to calculate stretch film usage?
This not only streamlines our packaging workflow but also helps reduce costs. Proper usage prevents waste and contributes to the conservation of resources. After all, plastic products are non-biodegradable and inevitably burden the environment. Rest assured, our stretch film is 100% recyclable. Moreover, calculating the exact amount of stretch film ensures comprehensive protection for items or pallets during packaging, transportation, or storage.
What’s the difference between manual and machine stretch ratios?
Manual and machine stretch films differ in the tools used during application. Additionally, their respective strengths and toughness vary, resulting in distinct stretch ratios. Hand stretch film achieves 100%–150% stretch, while machine stretch film reaches higher rates of 220%–260%. Therefore, packaging selection should be tailored to specific items or pallets.
How does stretch film thickness (gauge) affect usage calculations?
The thickness of stretch film has a significant impact on packaging integrity and protective properties. It influences the film’s tensile strength, protection level, and usage efficiency. This is a crucial factor when calculating stretch film consumption.
Is stretch film recyclable?
Absolutely. Stretch film is typically made from materials like PE, LLDPE, or LDPE, all of which are recyclable. However, during recycling, it’s important to pre-clean the film to remove residual substances such as oil stains or labels.