Strapping machine boosts efficiency

Conversion Solutions make custom, cut flat paper and required a pallet strapper to compress the packs tightly, something which could not be achieved using battery operated hand strapping tools which Conversion Solutions had been using before. The introduction of the OMS 078 machine with the TR18 Strapping Head enables Conversion Solutions to supply their customers with stable, perfectly presented, palletised product.

It also means that packs can be stacked securely on top of each other meaning better utilisation of space in the warehouse and in transit. Moving from a manual to an automated system also provided an opportunity to redeploy labour.

Operations manager Alex Ledbury says: “It is of paramount importance that all our packs are strapped in a stable manner. If they move during transport, our customers cannot feed them consistently into their printing presses. The Gordian OMS pallet press has eliminated the pack movement issues that we were experiencing.”

The 078 pallet strapping machine compresses and vertically straps each pack. Two straps are applied to the pack while it is being compressed. A built in turntable then turns the pack and a further two straps are applied, again while the pack is being compressed. The machine includes automatic pack height detection and telescopic arch tracks that feed strap at any height (of particular importance when packs vary in height).

Features of the TR18 head include precise, repeatable strap feeding that avoids jams and increases up-time, and a ‘strap in place’ confirmation meaning that a pack cannot leave the machine without being strapped. Furthermore, OMS TR series heads only require a full service every 200,000 cycles which means less down-time.