Surtech Industries automates with orbital wrapping machine

Surtech Industries, a metal finishing manufacturer based in York, Pa., recently installed a semi-automatic, orbital wrapping machine that not only accelerated production in its shipping department—but also cut labor costs in half.

By replacing manual stretch-wrapping, the machine has enabled one person to safely wrap the company’s metal bar stock, long tubular material—along with a variety of polished metal components, often spanning 10 feet or longer—directly to their pallet in 1 minute versus the 5 minutes (and two people) that are typically required to hand-wrap each pallet.

The machine also automatically wraps the plastic stretch film 360 degrees around and under the entire pallet load to create a unitized, secure load that also protects the finished, metal products from weather, warehousing and transportation operations.

Due to the machine’s ingenuity, Surtech documented labor savings that translated to a return on the investment in less than two years, according to the company’s president, Terry Spisak.

“It’s a very reliable machine that makes nice, tight wraps that look professional, and, for products that run the length of the skid, it’s the perfect machine,” he explains.

Spisak ordered a 100-inch model of the machine along with a wireless automation package—combining an automated cut-and-wrap device and a handheld, wireless remote control. As a result, the lift truck driver can operate the wrapping machine without having to leave his or her seat. For example, the driver can move the raised, palletized load into the wrapping ring, press the start button on the remote control and then press the stop button when the wrapping is completed—all from inside his or her lift truck cab.

The TAB WRAPPER TORNADO Wrapping a 10 Foot Long Skid

TAB Industries
610-921-0012