Stretch wrappers
Stretch wrappers after the palletizer: turntable vs. rotary arm vs. ring, semi-auto vs. automatic, prestretch, containment force, loads per hour, and prices.
A stretch wrapper wraps film around a finished pallet load. On a palletizing line, it is the step after the palletizer. A good pattern keeps the load together on the pallet. The film keeps it together in the truck. This page compares wrapper types, film settings, and models from their makers. It also covers how a wrapper fits a palletizer line.
All loads-per-hour figures here are makers’ rated speeds. Real output depends on load height, wrap count, film changes, and how loads reach the wrapper.
Types of stretch wrappers
| Type | What moves | Fits | Example models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turntable | The load spins on a round table. The film carriage moves up and down a tower. | Stable loads. All of Uline’s priced wrappers on this page are turntables. | Lantech Q-300, Wulftec WCA-SMART, Orion FA, Uline H-1020 |
| Rotary arm | The load stays still. An arm carries the film around it. | Light, very heavy, or unstable loads that should not spin. | Lantech S-300 and S Automatic, Wulftec WRTA-150 |
| Rotary ring | The load stays still. A ring carries the film carriage around it. | High-rate automatic lines. | Robopac Genesis Thunder, Lantech RL Automatic |
| Orbital | The product passes through a vertical ring that wraps it crosswise. | Long items such as tubing and profiles, not usual pallet loads. | Handle-It FA-90 |
Semi-automatic or automatic
A semi-automatic wrapper needs an operator for each load. A forklift sets the pallet on the machine. The operator attaches the film tail, starts the cycle, and cuts the film at the end. Uline says its H-1020 semi-automatic turntable “Wraps approximately 20 loads per hour.” It has a “Photo eye sensor for hands-free operation” (Uline H-1020).
An automatic wrapper attaches, wraps, and cuts with no operator. Some are still loaded by forklift. Uline’s H-2957 automatic turntable cuts the film at the end of each cycle. But it has no conveyor, so a forklift loads it. Uline rates it at “approximately 30 loads per hour” (Uline H-2957).
A conveyorized automatic wrapper fits behind an automatic palletizer. Loads arrive on a conveyor, get wrapped, and leave with no one touching them. Orion says its FA “includes powered infeed, turntable, and exit conveyors” (Orion FA spec sheet).
Models and rated speeds
Specs below were checked October 2, 2026. Prestretch is the standard setting unless a range is shown.
| Model and source | Type | Rated loads per hour | Prestretch | Max load listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uline H-1020 | Semi-auto turntable | About 20 | Adjusts 20% to 150% | 4,000 lb |
| Lantech Q-300 | Semi-auto turntable | 25 to 35 | 200% | 72 in. diagonal, 80 in. high, 4,000 lb |
| Lantech S-300 | Semi-auto rotary arm | 25 to 35 | 200% | 76 in. diagonal, 80 in. high |
| Uline H-2957 | Automatic turntable, no conveyor | About 30 | 230% or 270% | 4,000 lb |
| Lantech S Automatic | Automatic rotary arm | Up to 50 | 225% | 54 × 48 × 80 in. high |
| Wulftec WRTA-150 | Automatic rotary arm | 50 | 50% to 300%, standard 200% | 56 × 56 × 80 in. high |
| Wulftec WCA-SMART | Automatic turntable with conveyors | 70 | 50% to 300%, standard 250% | 48 × 48 × 80 in. high, 4,000 lb |
| Lantech SL Automatic High Speed | Automatic rotary arm | Up to 110 | Not listed on that page | Not listed on that page |
| Robopac Genesis Thunder | Automatic rotary ring | Up to 120 | Variable | 44 × 52 in. |
| Lantech RL Automatic | Automatic rotary ring | Up to 180 | Not listed on that page | Not listed on that page |
Wulftec says the WRTA-150 load weight is “Unlimited,” because the load stays on the floor. Lantech lists the S-300 load weight as floor capacity. Orion’s FA has a “standard 260% pre-stretch,” a turntable load capacity of 4,000 lb, and up to 15 RPM. Its spec sheet does not list loads per hour.
Prestretch and film
Prestretch means the machine stretches the film inside the carriage before it goes on the load. Lantech says common levels “range from 150-300%. That means that every linear foot of film coming off a roll represents 2.5 to 4 feet of film on the load” (Lantech). More prestretch uses less film. But Lantech warns, “If you stretch further you may experience more breaks – particularly on corners of loads.”
Match the film to the machine. Film is sold by width, length, and gauge. Gauge is a measure of film thickness. A higher gauge is thicker. Uline’s S-2193 machine film is 80 gauge cast film, 20 in. × 5,000 ft. Uline rates it “For loads up to 2,500 lbs.” and says it “Stretches up to 250%” (Uline S-2193). So that film would not suit a carriage set at 270% prestretch. Uline listed it at $82 per roll with a 6-roll minimum on October 2, 2026.
Lantech also warns that thinner film “doesn’t always result in a net film savings!” Thinner film can break more often, which costs wrap force.
Containment force
Containment force is how hard all the film layers squeeze the load. Lantech puts it as “Containment Force = Wrap Force x Film Layers.” Wrap force is how tight each layer is. Measure “at the top, middle and bottom of the load” and check “at least one load per shift” (Lantech).
Lantech’s CFT-6 tool manual gives these ranges (Lantech CFT-6 manual):
| Level | Containment force | Load examples from Lantech |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 2 to 5 lb | Paper towels, tissues, empty containers |
| Medium | 5 to 7 lb | Short cases, short trays, beverage cans |
| High | 7 to 12 lb | Tall and heavy cases, bags, case bottles |
| Extreme | 12 to 20 lb | Concrete blocks, bricks, bottled water, tall bottles in trays |
Lantech says its guidelines “are based on the Lantech CFT-6 containment force tool and aren’t valid for other containment force measuring tools” (Lantech). It suggests a simple test. Measure a load that ships with no problems. The lowest reading on that load becomes your minimum standard.
The pallet pattern changes how much force you need. Column stacks are less stable than interlocked loads.
Fitting a wrapper to the palletizer line
Match the rates. The wrapper must handle more loads per hour than the palletizer makes. Leave room for film changes and breaks. A line that makes 40 pallets per hour cannot use a wrapper rated at 30.
Use the same conveyors. A conveyorized wrapper takes loads from the palletizer’s discharge conveyor. The two need the same conveyor height, pallet direction, and controls. Wulftec’s WCA-SMART comes with a “5’ in / 5’ out contoured powered conveyor” at “30 FPM fix conveyor speed.” Chain transfers and turntables can turn the line between the two machines. See full-pallet conveyors.
Check load size. The wrapper’s maximum load size and height must fit your tallest pattern. A load built to 90 in. will not fit a wrapper rated for 80 in.
Plan for options. Lantech lists an SL400AMR rotary arm rated “Up to 40 loads per hour.” AMR means autonomous mobile robot, a self-driving cart that can deliver the load.
Buy as one system. Columbia includes stretch wrappers in the palletizing lines it integrates (Columbia). One supplier for the whole line puts one party in charge of how the machines work together. For the palletizer itself, see the palletizer overview and how to spec a palletizer.
Prices
Uline is the only seller on this page with public prices. Prices were seen October 2, 2026, in US dollars.
| Model | Type | Uline price |
|---|---|---|
| H-1020 | Semi-auto turntable, 80 in. wrap height | $7,565 |
| H-1675 | Semi-auto turntable, up to 110 in. wrap height | $8,430 |
| H-2957 | Automatic turntable, no conveyor | $11,460 |
Uline lists film and the ramp as sold separately. The Uline pages do not include conveyors, freight, or installation in the price. Lantech, Wulftec, Robopac, and Orion do not list prices on the pages cited here. Ask for a quote with conveyors and controls included. For palletizer prices, see palletizer cost.
Safety
A stretch wrapper has moving parts that can trap or strike a person. Turntables spin the load. Rotary arms and rings sweep around it. Film carriages move up and down.
- Lock out the wrapper before you clear a film break or reach into the machine. OSHA’s lockout standard, 29 CFR 1910.147, covers servicing where “unexpected energization or start up” could cause injury (OSHA).
- Never bypass guards, interlocks, light curtains, or area scanners.
- Keep fencing in place on automatic machines. Orion’s FA has “steel mesh fencing, and multi-zone e-stop feature with interlocked access points.” Lantech lists standard safety fencing on its S Automatic.
ANSI/PMMI B155.1 is the US safety standard for packaging machinery. The current edition is ANSI/PMMI B155.1-2023. PMMI says it gives “clear, consensus-based guidance for risk assessment, safeguarding and information for use” (PMMI). Include the wrapper in the same risk assessment as the palletizer and conveyors. See safety standards for the whole line.
Common questions
It wraps stretch film around a pallet load so the cases stay on the pallet in transit. On a palletizing line it is the next step after the palletizer. Full pallets ride a conveyor into the wrapper, or a forklift sets them on it.
A turntable spins the load while the film carriage moves up and down. A rotary arm keeps the load still and moves the film around it. Rotary arms suit loads that are too light, heavy, or unstable to spin. Lantech says its S-300 rotary arm handles loads that do not rotate.
On October 2, 2026, Uline listed the H-1020 semi-automatic turntable at $7,565 and the H-2957 automatic turntable at $11,460. Film, ramps, conveyors, freight, and installation are extra. The other makers on this page do not publish prices.
The machine stretches the film between rollers before it goes on the load. Lantech says common prestretch levels of 150% to 300% mean every foot of film off the roll becomes 2.5 to 4 ft on the load.
Lantech measures this as containment force, the total squeeze of all film layers. Its CFT-6 manual lists 2 to 5 lb for light loads such as paper towels, up to 12 to 20 lb for bricks or bottled water. Those values apply to its CFT-6 tool.