Packaging Equipment Comparison
Understanding the Differences Between Common Packaging Systems
Different packaging environments require different types of wrapping equipment. Product dimensions, load stability, throughput requirements, labor availability, and handling methods all play a major role in determining which packaging system best fits an operation.
The purpose of this Packaging Equipment Comparison section is to help manufacturers, warehouses, and industrial operations better understand the strengths, limitations, and ideal applications of common packaging equipment configurations.
Rather than focusing strictly on specifications, these guides focus on how equipment performs in real-world production environments.
Orbital Wrappers vs Pallet Wrappers
One of the most common questions in industrial packaging is whether an application is better suited for an orbital wrapper or a traditional pallet wrapper.
Orbital Wrappers
Orbital (horizontal) stretch wrappers are designed for long or oversized products that are difficult to package using traditional pallet wrapping systems.
Common Applications:
- Roofing panels
- Steel studs
- Tube & pipe
- Lumber
- Aluminum extrusions
- Long fabricated products
Advantages:
- Excellent for long product profiles
- Improved bundle containment
- Reduced product shifting
- Better support for conveyorized production
- Improved consistency on irregular products
Considerations:
- Not intended for standard palletized loads
- Requires product pass-through space
- More application-specific equipment
Pallet Wrappers
Pallet wrappers are designed for traditional palletized loads commonly found in manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution environments.
Common Applications:
- Boxes & cartons
- Consumer goods
- Industrial products
- Warehoused inventory
- Building materials
Advantages:
- Fast pallet containment
- Reduced labor requirements
- Improved shipping stability
- Better stretch film efficiency
- Supports a wide variety of pallet sizes
Considerations:
- Not ideal for very long products
- Irregular products may require specialized configurations
High Profile vs Low Profile Pallet Wrappers
Loading methods, floor space, and load weights often determine whether a high-profile or low-profile pallet wrapper is the better fit.
Low-profile wrappers position the turntable close to floor level, allowing easy pallet jack loading.
Best For:
- Pallet jack loading
- Warehouse environments
- Mixed-use operations
- Lower-volume facilities
Advantages:
- Easy loading and unloading
- Reduced operator strain
- Simplified pallet jack access
- Common in distribution environments
Considerations:
- Requires ramp access
- Ramp occupies floor space
- Extremely heavy loads may require other configurations
High-Profile Pallet Wrappers
High-profile wrappers are designed primarily for forklift-loaded operations and heavier industrial pallet loads.
Best For:
- Heavy industrial loads
- Forklift-loaded operations
- Manufacturing facilities
- Higher-throughput environments
Advantages:
- Faster forklift loading
- Better suited for heavier pallets
- No floor ramp required
- Durable industrial performance
Considerations:
- Limited pallet jack accessibility
- Requires forklift loading capability
Semi-Automatic vs Automatic Stretch Wrappers
Production volume and labor availability often determine whether semi-automatic or automatic systems make the most sense.
Semi-Automatic Stretch Wrappers
Semi-automatic systems require some operator involvement but provide significantly improved consistency compared to manual wrapping.
Best For:
- Moderate production volumes
- Smaller operations
- Facilities beginning automation upgrades
Advantages:
- Lower upfront investment
- Improved wrapping consistency
- Reduced stretch film waste
- Easier operator training
Considerations:
- Operator involvement still required
- Lower throughput than automatic systems
Automatic Stretch Wrappers
Automatic systems are designed for higher-throughput operations seeking maximum consistency and reduced labor involvement.
Best For:
- High-volume production
- Conveyorized packaging lines
- Distribution centers
- Automated manufacturing environments
Advantages:
- Increased throughput
- Reduced labor dependency
- Consistent wrap cycles
- Improved production flow
- Better long-term operational efficiency
Considerations:
- Higher upfront investment
- Additional floor space may be required
- Integration planning may be necessary
Rotary Arm vs Turntable Wrappers
Certain pallet loads are better suited for rotary arm systems rather than traditional turntable wrappers.
Turntable Wrappers
Turntable systems rotate the pallet load during wrapping.
Best For:
- Stable pallet loads
- Standard manufacturing environments
- Moderate throughput operations
Advantages:
- Reliable and efficient
- Lower overall equipment cost
- Common across many industries
Considerations:
- Extremely unstable or heavy loads may shift during rotation
Rotary Arm Wrappers
Rotary arm systems rotate the wrapping arm around the stationary load.
Best For:
- Heavy pallet loads
- Unstable products
- High-speed production environments
- Very tall loads
Advantages:
- Load remains stationary
- Better for unstable products
- Supports high-throughput automation
- Ideal for difficult load profiles
Considerations:
- Higher equipment investment
- Larger system footprint
Choosing the Right Equipment for Your Operation
There is rarely a one-size-fits-all packaging solution, that’s we created this Packaging Equipment Comparison section. Product dimensions, throughput goals, labor availability, shipping conditions, and handling methods all impact equipment selection.
Ameripak works with manufacturers, warehouses, and industrial operations nationwide to help evaluate packaging systems based on real-world production environments and operational goals.
If you are evaluating packaging equipment or comparing wrapping systems for a specific application, we would be glad to discuss your operation.