Strapping Equipment & Materials - Commonly Used Terms
Plastic & Steel Strapping Terminology
Strapping Wire
Strapping wire is a non specific term that is frequently used - mistakenly, to describe all types of strapping materials be they steel wire, steel banding, plastic strapping. The reality is that wire is drawn steel that in the 1940's was in widespread use but nowadays its use is mainly confined to paper and textile baling applications.
Steel Banding
Steel Banding is a long established strapping material along with strapping wire, but since the introduction of non- metallic strapping materials in the 1970's has been in slow decline. Available in a range of thickness's and widths ranging from 9 -32mm, and surface finishes that include blued and waxed, black and zinc painted, steel banding is wound into two types of coil known as oscillation or mill wound, and ribbon or pancake coils.
Steel Strapping
Steel strapping - another and more accurate term to describe steel banding 9mm - 32mm wide. Learn more about steel strapping - Click Here
Strapping Tape
A non specific term frequently used to describe all types of strapping including adhesive tapes that are used for packaging purposes.
Banding Tape
See strapping tape
Printed Banding
Tape, banding, strapping that is overprinted according to end user requirements.Click Here to learn more about this product
Nylon Strapping
One of the earliest plastic strapping materials manufactured by Dupont in USA and Europe - now seldom seen in the UK since the introduction of less expensive polypropylene and polyester strapping materials. An excellent strapping material with very good shock loading and recovery characteristics.
Woven Polyester
Woven polyester strapping is polyester yarn woven into web form such that it can be used for packaging puposes. It's use is normally confined to low thruput applications and is used with simple tensioners or ratchets to tighten it, and metal buckles to join it. It is generally more expensive than corded or extruded polyester strapping materials due to the slower production methods. Its unique benefit is that it does not split along its length.
Cord Strap and Cargo Securing Straps
Cordstrap comprises polyester yarns laid side by side and joined with a hotmelt glue to form a web such that it can be used for packaging purposes to stabilize palletised product or other forms of unit load. Application can be more difficult when passing under pallets due to it's lack of rigidity Many specifications are available with reference to width, break strength, colours etc. This material is usually joined using metal buckles'
Composite Strapping CC
Base material is cordstrap encased in a clear polymer coating to give the strap rigidity. It is easier to use than conventional Cordstrap but also more expensive than the non encased variety and conventional extruded polyester strapping.
Plastic Strapping - Extruded
Plastic strapping term is normally interpreted as extruded polypropylene or polyester strapping material. Both materials are available in grades suitable for use with strapping handtools or automatic strapping machines. The straps are available in a wide range of colours, with either a plain or printed embossed finish.
Polypropylene Strapping - Extruded
The most commonly used and least expensive plastic strapping material. Available in a wide range of specifications and used with mechanical or battery povered strapping tools, and semi and automatic automated strapping machines.,
Polyester Strapping Material - Extruded
Automatic Strapper
Automatic Strapping Machine is a strapping machine that requires the operator to start the strapping cycle by either pressing a push button or foot switch or table top sensor. Pallet strapping machines that involve the use of an FLT to load pallets into and subsequently out of the machine also fall into the 'automatic machine' category. See more of these machines here
This term is also mistakenly used to describe battery operated handtools and semi automatic strapping machines.
Automated Strapping Machine
Automated strapping machines are operatorless - product to be strapped is fed into and out of the machine by motorised conveyor and item position on the input and output conveyors, and in the strapping machine, is controlled by photocells.
Semi Automatic Strapping Machine
The commonly accepted definition of a semi-automatic strapping machine is that where the machine feed a lentgh of strap underneath a carton for example and the operator is required to pick up the end of the strapping, take it over the carton and put it into the machine throat on the other side. This action automatically prompts the machine to grip the strap. apply tension and seal the strap and automatically feed out another length of strap ready for the next carton.
Electric Box Bander
This term is rarely used but can refer to both battery powered friction weld hand tools, semi automatic and automatic box and carton strapping machines.
Strapping or Banding Ratchet or Tool
Any hand held manually or electrically powered mechanical device that enables tension to be applied to strapping materials. There are many to choose from both for plastic and steel straps,
Strapping Tensioner
Strapping tensioners enable tension to be applied to a strapping material. They can be manually operated or electrically and pneumatically powered. Typical plastic strapping tensioner shown.The full range of strapping tools can be seen here.
Lashing tools
Lashing tools are tensioners of conventional form but generally larger heavy duty tools to cope with the higher strength Cordstrap strapping specifications. There are also specialist extra heavy duty forms similar to the mechanisms used for freight cargo retension straps and webbing.
Strapping Sealer or Crimper
Strapping sealers or crimpers are the means by which a metal clip or seal is closed around a strapping material to join the ends together after tension has been applied to the strapping. Typical plastic strapping sealer is shown and more strapping tools can be seen Here.
Strapping Starter Kit
Strapping kits normally consist of basic strapping equipment such as a tensioner and sealer, a coil of strapping, a box of metal seals and a floor standing or mobile coilholder. Quantity, quality and type of components making up the kits can vary, with the specialist strapping Companies offering a better choice and value than that offered by general packaging catalogues. Click here to see the full selection
Pallet Bander or Pallet Strapping Machine;
Any device - manually or electrically powered, semi automatic, automatic or automated that applies tension to strapping materials around pallets. The word bander is usually interpreted as meaning a handtool whereas 'machine' implies a means of applying straps around pallets with mechanical assistance.
Mobile Pallet Strapping Machine
A term that commonly refers to the unique range of mobile pallet strapping machines manufactured by The Plastic Strapping Company Ltd in UK that can apply up to four straps simultaneously around a pallet, dramatically reducing the time, effort and costs of conventional manual pallet strapping methods.
Electric Pallet Strapping Machine
Electric pallet strapping machines can be mains or battery powered and basically comprise an upended semi automatic strapping machine with a single probe fitted, down which strap is fed thru a pallet void one at a time requiring the unit to be put into the pallet each time a strap needs to be applied. These machines are heavy and can be rather tiring if used for high thruputs.
Electric or Battery Powered Ratchet;
A strapping handtool normally used with extruded polypropylene or polyester strapping materials that is generally battery powered i.e. the tension and sealing functions are achieved by operation of levers or buttons or both. e.g. friction weld tools .
Friction Weld Strapping and Banding Tools;
Battery or mains powered handtools - push button operation - that produce a friction weld seal by means of two oscillating serrated plates, one either side of the straps in the area where the joint is to be made. Click Here for more information
Banding Buckle
Banding buckles are manufactured either from steel wire or for lighter applications polypropylene. They are generally used with a simple tensioner on very low thruput applications as they represent the simplest but slowest method of applying strapping materials.