When selecting the strapping tape suitable for the automatic edge-protecting and strapping machine for cartons, multiple factors such as the material, specifications, and quality need to be considered. The following are the specific key points:
I. Material
PP (Polypropylene) strapping tape: It has a relatively low price and a light texture. It is flexible and has tensile strength, making it suitable for strapping cartons of general weight. Its surface is relatively smooth, causing less wear on the tape feeding rollers and the cutter, and it can extend the service life of the vulnerable parts of the equipment.
PET (Polyester) strapping tape: It has high tensile strength, good wear resistance, and strong anti-aging performance, making it suitable for heavier cartons or occasions where a higher strapping strength is required. However, the hardness of the PET strapping tape is slightly higher than that of the PP strapping tape, which may cause slightly greater wear on the cutter. But generally speaking, the impact on the equipment is within an acceptable range.
II. Specifications
Width: Common widths of strapping tapes are 9mm, 12mm, 15mm, etc. Generally, for small cartons, 9mm or 12mm strapping tapes can be selected, while for large or heavier cartons, 15mm or wider strapping tapes are more suitable. When making a choice, it should be determined according to the size and weight of the carton to ensure the firmness and aesthetics of the strapping. If the strapping tape is too narrow, it may not be able to provide sufficient pulling force, resulting in loose strapping of the carton; if it is too wide, it may waste materials, and problems are likely to occur when it is wound on the equipment.
Thickness: The thickness usually ranges from 0.5mm to 1.2mm. Thinner strapping tapes are suitable for light cartons, but their strength is relatively low; thicker strapping tapes have high strength and can be used for heavy cartons, but their prices will also be correspondingly higher, and they have higher requirements for the tape feeding and cutting mechanisms of the equipment. For example, for cartons weighing between 5 and 10 kilograms, a strapping tape with a thickness of 0.6 - 0.8mm is more appropriate; for cartons weighing more than 10 kilograms, a strapping tape with a thickness of more than 0.8mm should be selected.
III. Quality
Appearance: The surface of the strapping tape should be smooth and flat, without defects such as bubbles, cracks, and impurities. A strapping tape with a smooth surface has less resistance during the tape feeding process, is not likely to damage the tape feeding rollers and the hot-melt head, and can also ensure the aesthetics of the strapping.
Strength: The strapping tape should have sufficient tensile strength and elongation at break to ensure that it will not break easily during the strapping and handling processes. Its strength can be evaluated by checking the specification parameter table of the product or by conducting a simple tensile test.
Flexibility: Good flexibility enables the strapping tape to bend and fit more easily when winding around the carton, reducing the risk of breakage caused by excessive hardness, and also reducing the wear on the equipment components.
