Orbital Wrappers vs. Pallet Wrappers: What's the Difference?
Not all packaging challenges involve palletized loads.
While pallet wrappers are among the most common packaging machines found in warehouses and manufacturing facilities, they are designed specifically for wrapping products stacked on pallets. When dealing with long products such as roofing panels, metal trim, tubing, extrusions, lumber, molding, doors, windows, or building materials, a completely different type of equipment is often required.
This is where orbital wrappers come into play.
Although both orbital wrappers and pallet wrappers use stretch film to secure products, they are designed for entirely different applications. Understanding the differences between these systems can help ensure you select the right equipment for your operation.
What Is a Pallet Wrapper?
A pallet wrapper is designed to secure palletized loads by applying stretch film around products stacked on a pallet.
The load is either rotated on a turntable, wrapped by a rotating arm, or secured using an automated conveyorized system. The primary objective is to stabilize the load for storage, handling, and transportation.
Pallet wrappers are commonly used in:
- Warehouses
- Distribution centers
- Manufacturing facilities
- Food and beverage operations
- Consumer goods production
- Industrial packaging applications
Benefits of Pallet Wrappers
- Improved load stability
- Reduced product damage
- Lower labor costs
- Consistent film application
- Improved shipping performance
- Increased workplace safety
Pallet wrappers are ideal when products can be stacked and transported on standard pallets.
What Is an Orbital Wrapper?
An orbital wrapper, sometimes called a horizontal stretch wrapper, is designed to wrap long products that cannot be efficiently packaged on a traditional pallet wrapper.
Instead of rotating a palletized load, the product travels through a rotating ring that applies stretch film around the length of the bundle.
Orbital wrappers are commonly used to package:
- Roofing panels
- Metal trim
- Flashing
- Tubing
- Pipe
- Extrusions
- Lumber
- Doors and windows
- Furniture components
- Building materials
Benefits of Orbital Wrappers
- Excellent protection for long products
- Reduced product damage
- Improved weather protection
- Better bundle integrity
- Lower labor requirements
- Consistent packaging quality
Orbital wrappers are specifically engineered to handle products that would be difficult or impossible to wrap efficiently on pallet equipment.
The Biggest Difference: What Is Being Wrapped?
The simplest way to understand the difference is to look at the product itself.
Pallet Wrappers
Wrap palletized loads.
Examples include:
- Boxes
- Cartons
- Cases
- Consumer products
- Industrial products
- Finished goods
Orbital Wrappers
Wrap long products.
Examples include:
- Roofing panels
- Trim bundles
- Pipe
- Tube
- Extrusions
- Lumber
- Structural shapes
If the product is being shipped as a long bundle rather than a palletized load, an orbital wrapper is often the better solution.
How the Wrapping Process Differs
The two machines also operate very differently.
Pallet Wrapper Operation
The palletized load remains in one location while the film is applied around the outside of the load.
Depending on the equipment type:
- The pallet rotates
- The wrapping arm rotates
- The load moves through an automated wrapping station
The objective is to secure products to a pallet.
Orbital Wrapper Operation
The product travels horizontally through a rotating ring.
The ring rotates around the bundle while stretch film is applied along the entire length of the product.
The objective is to protect and secure long products rather than stabilize a pallet load.
Which Industries Use Pallet Wrappers?
Pallet wrappers are found in nearly every industry, including:
- Warehousing
- Distribution
- Manufacturing
- Food processing
- Consumer goods
- Automotive
- Pharmaceutical
- Logistics
Any operation shipping palletized products can benefit from stretch wrapping technology.
Which Industries Use Orbital Wrappers?
Orbital wrappers are particularly common in industries handling long products.
Examples include:
- Roll forming operations
- Metal roofing manufacturers
- Building products manufacturers
- Door and window manufacturers
- Tube and pipe producers
- Lumber mills
- Furniture manufacturers
- Extrusion operations
These industries often require product protection that extends across the entire length of a bundle.
Damage Prevention Comparison
Both machines help reduce shipping damage, but they address different risks.
Pallet Wrappers Protect Against
- Load shifting
- Product movement
- Collapsed pallets
- Shipping instability
- Forklift handling damage
Orbital Wrappers Protect Against
- Surface scratches
- Abrasion
- Moisture exposure
- Bundle separation
- Product movement within long bundles
Selecting the correct equipment depends largely on how your products are packaged and transported.
Can Some Operations Use Both?
Absolutely.
Many manufacturers use both pallet wrappers and orbital wrappers within the same facility.
For example, a metal roofing manufacturer may:
- Use an orbital wrapper to package roofing panels and trim bundles.
- Use a pallet wrapper to secure pallets of accessories, fasteners, sealants, or packaged products.
The two systems often complement one another rather than compete.
Which System Is Right for Your Operation?
If your products are shipped on pallets, a pallet wrapper is likely the correct solution.
If your products are long, bundled, and difficult to secure with traditional pallet wrapping methods, an orbital wrapper may be the better choice.
The decision ultimately comes down to product size, product shape, handling requirements, and shipping methods.
Final Thoughts
Although orbital wrappers and pallet wrappers both use stretch film, they solve very different packaging challenges.
Pallet wrappers are designed to secure palletized loads for transportation and storage. Orbital wrappers are designed to protect and unitize long products such as roofing panels, trim, pipe, tubing, and extrusions.
Understanding the differences between these technologies is the first step toward selecting the right packaging solution for your operation.
If you’re unsure which system best fits your application, Ameripak can help evaluate your products, packaging process, and shipping requirements to recommend the most effective solution.
