Keeping it all Together Packaging Systems for Paneling, Steel Coils, and Other Large Industrial Products

Industrial products such as paneling, steel coils, andcompression. This machine catches one side of the
piping are shipped in large quantities, as they are usedstrap and with the press of a button, will cinch the
in large scale construction projects which requireload up tight by drawing in the slack. Leftover pieces
several pieces for completion. A major concern forof the coiled strapping are placed into an eater which
any industry that manufactures and ships largeassists in recycling the material, reducing waste and
quantities of industrial products is making sure thecutting costs.
bundles stay together throughout transport. Not onlyProducts such as steel coils are packaged in much
will the bundles have to remain as a cohesive unitthe same way, although the shape of this particular
during transport, but the packaging material usedproduct calls for a surface which can more readily
must be put on the material in such as way that itkeep the products in position while the strapping is
does no damage to the exterior of the product.cinched.
When it comes to a product such as panel board,For smaller operations, there are hand-held cinching
much of the packaging will be done in house by thedevices that require a lot more manual power than
mill that produces the plywood. These mills will usuallystrapping machines, but cost much less. These tools
have a packaging station which utilizes severallie on top of the material in formation, and the
components for an integrated packaging system. Atstrapping is placed in a groove. A hand lever is then
the most basic level are the wire straps used toworked back and forth to draw the strapping tight.
bundle the package together. These straps areOnce this is achieved, a twist of the tool will allow a
generally composed of thin but strong metal whichblade to cut off the excess strapping.
won't break easily and yet is simple to remove withWith the strapping in place, the load is ready for
basic wire cutters. The higher quality boards aretransport. Once the product leaves the packaging
always packed in between boards that don'tstation, it will be subjected to a multitude of forces
measure up, or cover boards, in order to prevent theas it makes it way in the world to its final destination.
metal edges of the strapping from cutting into theAt any point along the way, inadequacy of the
side of the better boards.strapping system could have disastrous results; failure
The package is created at a strapping station, whichis not an option. For more information on this article
includes a machine that draws power through airor a VK30 Titan strapping head, visit ItipackSystems.