Plastic Strapping

When looking at strapping devices for either PP- or PET-Strapping, there needs to be distinguished between three basic designs: manual, pneumatic power tool and battery-powered tools. Some devices cannot be assigned to one of  the basic designs, as they combine two functions in one, like for example the OR-T 50 from Orgapack or the LS-ZP 20 from Zapak, which combine a hand-based tensioning with a battery-supported welding.

Using a manual strapping device, strapping bands become tensioned by means of a handle or lever and then closed/sealed with a metal seal or buckle. This process can either be done with two separate tools (cheapest variant) – a tensioner and a sealing tong – or it can be combined in one tool. The latter variant is more comfortable, as there is no need to handle with two different tools. In some cases there has to be used two tools, though, for example if the supporting surface is too small. The most comfortable way is to use a magazine device or –tool where the next seal automatically "postslides" after every strapping cycle.

For users who do a lot of strapping cycles, the investment in a battery-powered strapping device pays off. Here, the acquisition costs are certainly higher, but the gain in efficiency as well as the savings for seals or buckles are essential. Tensioning and welding of strapping bands is done in the same way with every battery-powered tool: The tensioning is created with the aid of a tension roller, which has a toothed belt drive transporting the strapping. Then a so-called “friction-fastening-method” or “rub-press-method” is used: the two ends of the strapping band are rubbed and pressed against each other at the same time- this way it gets welded. The above mentioned OR-T 50 and LS-ZP 20 are truly a specialty: They combine a hand-based tensioning with a battery-supported single-push welding.

All models of the LS-ZP-series offer an outstanding cost-effectiveness out of all battery-powered strapping devices - they are an optimal entry-level model: the tensioning and welding are triggered by a single push. In this latest version another essential advancement is the brushfree motor, so that with the brush lid set -one of the main wearing parts- is not necessary anymore in the future. This leads to enormous savings along the life cycle of these devices. For thin PP strapping bands the LS-ZP 22 is most suitable, very strong PET strapping bands should be processed with the LS-ZP 26-device, which offers the best characteristics in this field. For all Standard-Strapping Bands (PP-Strap and PET-Strap with a thickness from 0.65 mm up to 12-16 mm) the LS-ZP 22 is the most appropriate.

From a technical point of view the BXT-2 battery-powered devices from Signode are the highest standard. The buttons are situated very user-friendly, so that a single-hand-application is possible. If similar packaging goods have to be cycled, a fully automatic mode can be used which means that the tensioning and welding time can be exactly preset and will be replicated automatically. The accumulator was aslo replaced by a lithium ion accumulator, which generates no more memory effect (the NiCd used to do that), if it is not fully loaded and unloaded completely. Besides, a tensioning power from now up to 2,500 instead of up to only 2,000 N can be reached.

Strapping devices with pneumatic control get applied a lot less than battery-powered ones as they can not be used as flexibly (they rely on compressed air supply). Where constant tension power is needed and where is a lot to be packed and strapped, pneumatic control-devices are often applied as no accumulator is needed.