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Investing in a box strapping machine allows you to seal packages thoroughly and efficiently. Whether you choose to use an automatic or a handheld strapping option, you’ll find you’ll gain the trust and respect of prospective clients when you wrap boxes professionally and securely for shipping. Here’s a rundown of how to use a box strapping machine.
Before we cover how to use a box strapping machine, consider these aspects:
- Box strapping machines allow you safely and effectively seal your packaging for shipment.
- There are two main types of box strapping machine: automatic and handheld.
- Automatic models require little manual work.
- Handheld models require you to wrap the box yourself before using the machine to tighten and seal the strapping.
Why Use a Strapping Machine?
There’s a wide variety of reasons your company should use a commercial strapping machine to pack your boxes. These include:
- These machines effectively seal off packages, protecting the product inside during the shipping process.
- Manufacturing companies are more likely to do business with you if they know you seal and protect your packaging professionally.
- If your company delivers to distant locations, you must invest in a high-quality strapping machine that prevents any items from falling out the boxes and breaking in transit.
Besides using an effective strapping machine, learn how to pack a box for shipping. Put heavier items at the bottom of the package and protect valuable products with suitable padding before you start the sealing process.
Shipping Domestic or International? You’ll Need a Fiberboard Box
Comparing Strapping Machines
There are two main kinds of strapping machine you can choose between: the automatic model and the handheld option. Each offers something different to the user. There are many stand-alone strapping machines with fully automated functionality, and these units work with a touch of a button.
Once you’ve installed the machine, it wraps strapping around each box, cutting the bind automatically. There are also some automatic models that require you to do a bit of manual work. These are called semi-automatic machines, and they’re a subcategory of the stand-alone unit option.
If you choose a semi-automatic machine, you’ll have to wrap the strapping around the package before the machine does the rest. However, if you’ve got a handheld strapping machine, you must wrap and ratchet the strapping yourself. Although the automatic model is efficient and easy to use, you’ll find the handheld machine is lightweight, ergonomic and more affordable than other units on the market.
Whether you choose to invest in a handheld or automatic strapping machine, use UN-certified, high-quality shipping packages that allow you to ship hazardous or semi-hazardous substances safely.
A double-walled fiberboard box is a cost-effective, protective and eco-friendly product. Recent digital image correlation analysis of vertical strain for corrugated fiberboard box panels in compression shows users how they can limit the potential vertical displacement of the box and make this product even more effective.
Once you’ve chosen which type of model to get, you can learn how to use a box strapping machine.
How to Use a Stand-Alone Strapping Machine
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Whether you have a fully- or semi-automatic strapping model, most of the steps are the same. You shouldn’t need to do too much manual work in either case.
After you’ve set up the model, turn on the power and leave it to heat up for 20-30 minutes. If you have a semi-automatic unit, stand by the unit and feed the binding around the box you’re packing. Once you’ve done this, you can push the end of the strapping into the machine, and the unit automatically tightens and cuts this binding to wrap and seals the box for you.
Before you allow the machine to do its work, position the package parallel to the automated binding device to ensure secure wrapping. You can use the integrated foot pedal or simply move the box just over the machine’s photo eye to help you with this part of the process.
You may need to apply an extra bind to the same side for more security. Once you’ve done one side of the box, rotate it through 90° and bind the other side.
Don’t Forget the Shipping Materials Either!
How to Use a Handheld Strapping Machine
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Handheld strapping machines require you to put in more manual work than you would with an automated option.
Before you strap your boxes, ensure you’re investing in high-quality packaging supplies. If you’re not using the best shipping materials, you’ll lose the confidence of existing clients and prospective customers.
Wrap the binding around the package by hand. Your aim is to achieve an overlap of 10 inches when you bring the two ends together over the top of the box. Check that the end closest to you is on top of the end moving away from you. Once you’ve done this, insert both pieces into the handheld tool, lock down the tensioner and ratchet the machine so you’re creating a tight bind around the box.
Put a seal around the tight wrapping and use a sealing tool or crimper to lock that seal into place. After you’ve done this, remove the pieces of machinery. The tensioner should have an integrated cutting tool that removes the surplus strapping when you do this.
The Takeaway
If you want to ship packages effectively and securely, appealing to your existing client base and encouraging new customers to invest in your services, you need a high-quality box strapping machine. Once you’ve learned how to use an automated or handheld unit properly, you can expertly seal your packages.
