This guide covers the operation of the battery-powered strapping tool for PP and PET strapping: setting the mode according to the material, passing the strapping around the package, inserting the two layers into the tool, triggering the automatic cycle and checking the joint. Follow these steps to combine tensioning, sealing and cutting in a single tool, in a warehouse, factory or job site.
Product specifications
The Fortemo battery-powered strapping tool is sized for plastic strapping from 13 to 16 mm in PP and PET, with a cordless motor and a control panel to adjust tension and welding time according to the material. Here are the technical details:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | 762143 |
| Compatible strapping type | Polypropylene (PP) and polyester (PET) |
| Strapping width range | 13 to 16 mm (1/2 to 5/8 in) |
| Closure type | Thermal friction weld (no seals) |
| Automated operations | Tension, weld and cut in one cycle |
| Power supply | Rechargeable battery (no cables or compressed air) |
| Settings | Adjustable tension and welding time |
| Brand | FORTEMO |
Step-by-step instructions
The following procedure covers the complete cycle from wrapping the strapping around the package to the automatic closing and cutting. The battery-powered strapping tool is operated with one hand (the other keeps the strapping in position), but it requires getting familiar with the control panel before the first real use.
Set the mode according to the strapping material
Before you start strapping, set the control panel to the material you are going to use: PP or PET. The two materials require different welding times (PET needs more heat due to its greater hardness) and different tensions. If you are going to alternate between the two during the shift, write down the optimal settings for each: switching material without reconfiguring produces defective joints on the first closure.
Calibrate the panel settings with two or three test packages before you start strapping the real operation. The correct tension and the optimal welding time depend on the strapping material (PP vs PET), the weight of the load and the ambient temperature of the warehouse. Once you have found the values that work in your context, write them on a visible label near the tool: switching between PP and PET without written notes is a common source of defective joints on the first closures after the change.
Pass the strapping around the package and bring the ends together
Unwind the strapping from the coil, wrap it around the package and bring the two ends together on the face where the strapping tool will operate (usually the top face). The two layers must overlap over the area where you will make the weld. The ends must be long enough to enter the strapping tool with a margin of about 15 cm.
Insert the two layers of strapping into the tool
Open the lever or top cover of the strapping tool and place the two overlapping layers of strapping inside the tool, making sure both are aligned and between the tensioning rollers. Close the cover: the strapping tool now has firm contact with the strapping and is ready to operate.
Trigger the automatic cycle with the operation button
Press the start button: the strapping tool first tensions (the drive roller pulls the strapping until it reaches the set tension), then activates the friction weld (it rubs the two layers for the set time, generating heat that melts them) and finally cuts the excess. The whole cycle lasts between 2 and 4 seconds depending on settings. Hold the tool firmly throughout the entire cycle: moving it during the weld interrupts the fusion and produces weak joints.
Remove the strapping tool and check the joint
Once the cycle is complete, open the cover and remove the tool. Inspect the joint: it should show an area of melted strapping with regular friction marks, no gaps, no separation between the layers and no loose fragments. Pull gently on the closed strapping: a correct joint does not come apart. If the joint opens, adjust the welding time (more heat) on the panel and run a test on another piece of strapping before continuing with the operation.
Complementary products
The strapping tool operates without metal seals or buckles: it only needs the compatible plastic strapping. These are the consumables that accompany it in operation:
PP strapping of 13-16 mm is the consumable for light to medium loads; PET strapping of 16 mm is for heavy loads. Although the strapping tool replaces the manual system at high volume, it is advisable to keep a manual tensioner and sealer for PET as a backup: if the battery runs out or the strapping tool requires maintenance, the manual system keeps the operation running without stoppages.
Maintenance and care
The battery-powered strapping tool is the most expensive tool in the manual strapping system and, with proper use, operates for years without problems. Maintenance concentrates on three points: battery, welding mechanism and tensioning. These are the basic guidelines:
- Fully charge the battery before the first use and follow the charging cycle recommended by the manufacturer. Modern lithium batteries have no memory effect, but frequent deep discharges shorten the service life. Keep at least 20% charge during the day and connect to the charger at the end of the shift.
- Clean the tensioning rollers and the welding area after each shift with a dry brush; remnants of melted plastic strapping or dust accumulated in the motor reduce the quality of the closure and accelerate roller wear.
- Every two or three months (intensive use) visually inspect the rollers: if you notice irregular wear, the closures start coming out with different tensions and it is advisable to replace them. It is a consumable part.
- If the strapping tool consistently produces weak joints with all the settings on the panel, the problem is usually the friction motor: contact technical service before continuing to operate, because forcing the equipment with a defective motor usually ends up damaging the control electronics.
- Store the strapping tool in its case or on a flat surface when not in use. A fall from working height is the most common cause of mechanical failures that require specialized service.
Do not use this strapping tool with strapping other than PP or PET, or with strapping wider than 16 mm. The thermal friction weld system is sized specifically for the two compatible thermoplastics; other materials (metal, natural fiber, composite strapping) do not melt by friction and the strapping tool can be damaged when attempting it. Nor should you force wider strapping: even if it physically fits, the rollers do not apply uniform tension and the closure will come out defective.
Frequently asked questions
Does the battery-powered strapping tool justify the investment compared to the manual system?
As an operational reference, above 100-150 closures per day the strapping tool pays off through speed, savings on metal seal consumption and reduced operator fatigue. The thermal friction closure eliminates the recurring cost of PP or PET seals, which over operations of several months already represents a considerable part of the price of the tool. Below that volume, the manual system with a sealer is more economical.
How many closures does the strapping tool make on a full battery charge?
It depends on the mode (PP requires less energy per cycle than PET) and on the ambient temperature, but as an order of magnitude, a full charge covers several hundred cycles in normal operation. Having a spare battery is common in full-shift operations to avoid stopping the line when the main one runs out; check whether your model supports quick swapping.
Does the friction weld joint hold as well as a metal seal?
In professional-grade PP and PET with the strapping tool well calibrated, the thermal friction weld joint withstands tensions equivalent to those of a well-closed metal seal. The real operational difference is another: the friction weld requires no seal consumption (recurring savings) or storage of metal boxes, but it depends on the condition of the motor and the battery. A well-closed metal seal is more mechanically predictable; the friction weld is more operationally efficient at high volume.
