If you operate a turntable, rotary-arm or mobile palletizing-robot wrapper, you know that the difference between a generic roll and one formulated for mechanical pre-stretch is measured in pallets wrapped per hour before the first stop. This transparent machine stretch film from Fortemo is designed for continuous lines: 1500-meter roll, 90 gauge, coextruded multilayer LLDPE formulation with 200-300% pre-stretch without tearing. This guide explains how to set up the head, adjust wrapping parameters and keep the line running without unnecessary stops.
Machine film is not applied by hand. If your operation is manual, the correct guide is the one for transparent manual stretch film. What follows is for operations with an automatic or semi-automatic wrapper.
Product specifications
The transparent machine stretch film is offered in a single standard format of 50 cm wide by 1500 m long. The following table lists the complete technical specifications of the only available variant:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | 857432 |
| Material | Coextruded multilayer LLDPE |
| Color | Crystal clear |
| Width | 50 cm (20 in) |
| Length per roll | 1500 m (4920 ft) |
| Thickness | 23 µm (90 gauge) |
| Pre-stretch capacity | 200-300% (on motorized head) |
| Puncture resistance | High (multilayer structure) |
| Adhesion system | Calibrated differential cling |
| Core | Industrial cardboard 76 mm (3 in) |
| Compatibility | Turntable wrappers, rotary arm, mobile robots |
| Format | Single 1500 m roll |
The sister guide for black machine stretch film applies the same configuration parameters to the opaque version with UV blocking, suitable for confidential shipments or loads with prolonged sun exposure.
Step-by-step on how to use it
The following procedure covers the complete operating cycle with an automatic wrapper, from the roll change to performance tracking per pallet. Each wrapper has specific parameters on its panel; the indicated ranges are approximate and should be checked against your equipment manufacturer's manual.
Roll inspection and head cleaning
Before mounting the roll, check that it has no dents or deformations on the edges—an edge dented in the warehouse compromises unwinding at speed—. Clean the head rollers: adhesive residue or dust from a previous pallet affects the pre-stretch and produces tears on the first turn. A dry cloth with isopropyl alcohol is the right choice; never use water, which when left between rollers causes slipping.
Mounting on the head with motorized pre-stretch
Place the roll on the roll holder, making sure the inner face (with cling) faces the pallet. Orientation is critical: a roll mounted the wrong way applies cling outward and adjacent pallets stick to each other in the warehouse. Run the film between the pre-stretch rollers following the pattern indicated by your wrapper's manufacturer; most modern motorized heads guide the film in an S or zig-zag between 2 or 3 rollers.
Pre-stretch configuration and wrapping pattern
On the wrapper's control panel, set the pre-stretch between 200% and 300% depending on the type of load. For stable loads (regular boxes, uniform bags), 250-300% maximizes roll performance. For fragile loads or those with sharp corners (electronics, glass, light-sensitive products), 150-200% reduces the risk of puncture. Also set the number of base turns, body turns and top turns according to the recommendations in your wrapper's manual.
To audit your line's actual performance, measure film consumption per pallet over a window of 50 consecutive pallets of the same type. Divide the meters consumed by 50: if your consumption is below 8 meters per pallet on standard loads, the pre-stretch is optimized; between 8 and 12 meters, there is room for improvement by adjusting parameters; above 12 meters, there is a configuration or roll quality problem that warrants investigation. This audit takes the supervisor 5 minutes and reveals inefficiencies invisible to the naked eye.
Cycle start and visual check
Start the cycle and observe the first three wrapped pallets. The texture must be uniform: no folds, no shiny areas (where the film does not stretch) or opaque ones (where it stretches too much), and no longitudinal tears that indicate the gauge cannot withstand the configured pre-stretch. If you see tears, reduce the pre-stretch by 50 points and restart. If you see loose film, raise it by 50 points.
Maintenance between roll changes
Every time a roll is emptied, take advantage of the change to quickly clean the pre-stretch rollers and check that there is no film wound on the shaft. A shaft with residue generates additional friction that over time wears out the head bearings. A 30-second cleaning at each roll change extends the head's service life by years.
Never apply this machine film by hand. The coextruded multilayer LLDPE formulation is optimized for pre-stretch on a motorized head: applied by hand without pre-stretch, the film tears at the pallet's first corner because its natural elongation is calibrated to reach 200-300% under controlled mechanical tension, not under human force. If you need to apply film by hand occasionally, use the transparent manual film, not this format.
Complementary products
To complement the machine film in heavy industrial palletizing operations, the following products cover the most common adjacent needs:
The black machine stretch film is the opaque version with the same mechanical performance, suitable when opacity or UV protection are factors. The polypropylene (PP) strapping is the natural combination in heavy palletizing operations: two turns of strapping over the film close the pallet with additional restraint for long transits. The open-mouth big bag palletized and wrapped with machine film plus strapping is the standard industrial combination in aggregate exports. The plastic edge protectors protect the four corners of the pallet from strapping cuts, especially useful when combining film plus strapping over loads with sharp edges.
Maintenance and care
Machine film rolls are stored vertically in a cool indoor space, on a flat surface, away from direct sunlight. The 1500 m rolls are heavy (typically 16-18 kg), so it is advisable to store them on shelving at an accessible height with rigid support. A roll leaning against a warm wall (typical of a warehouse with a metal roof exposed to the sun) loses shape and elongation properties within a few weeks, which on an automated line translates into frequent tears and unscheduled stops.
Rolls do not consume their contents in a single shift and may be left half-used between shifts. In those cases, the cut end of the film must be fixed against the roll (just press it against the film with the palm of your hand to activate the cling). Rolls with loose ends partially unwind during the night and the next day start the line with meters of wasted film or, worse, with an end wound against the head that produces an immediate stop.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I use this film on a wrapper without motorized pre-stretch?
It is not recommended. The multilayer LLDPE formulation is designed for mechanical pre-stretch: on simple-friction wrappers without motorized pre-stretch, the film is applied with little elongation and consumes much more footage than necessary, losing the product's main advantage. If your wrapper is simple-friction, consider a film specific to that type of head or evaluate upgrading the equipment. For pre-stretch of up to 100%, the manual film gives an equivalent result at a similar cost per pallet.
What pre-stretch should I set?
Stable loads (uniform bags, regular boxes, uniform products): 250-300%. Mixed or moderately irregular loads (pallet with several references, boxes of different sizes): 200-250%. Fragile loads or those with sharp corners (electronics, glass, rigid products): 150-200%. The practical rule is to start at 250% and observe three pallets: if there are tears, reduce; if the film is loose or consumes too much footage, raise.
