You have just acquired a 910 m PP adhesive tape roll for a case sealer machine and you want your packaging line to run without stops, without tape breakage, and with a firm seal on each box. This guide covers the two available variants—50 mm (2 in) and 76 mm (3 in)—so that, no matter which one you have chosen, you know how to mount, calibrate, and maintain it throughout the shift.
Product Specifications
The tape is virgin BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene) with acrylic adhesive, manufactured by Fortemo in extended 910 m (1000 yd) rolls. The difference between the two variants is in the applied tape width, which must match the head of your automatic or semi-automatic case sealer. Locate your variant by SKU below to check its exact data.
| Specification | 50 mm / Case of 12 | 76 mm / Case of 8 |
|---|---|---|
| SKU | 523454 | 624345 |
| Tape width | 50 mm (2 in) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Length per roll | 910 m (1000 yd) | 910 m (1000 yd) |
| Film material | Virgin BOPP | Virgin BOPP |
| Adhesive | Acrylic | Acrylic |
| Color | Transparent | Transparent |
| Rolls per case | 12 rolls | 8 rolls |
| Application mode | Automatic or semi-automatic case sealer | Automatic or semi-automatic case sealer |
| Brand | Fortemo | Fortemo |
If any row shows an em dash (—) for your variant, it means that data is not specified by the manufacturer and should be consulted in the product data sheet before operation.
Step-by-step instructions
Follow the order. Each step ends with a verifiable result before moving to the next. Most in-line problems (tape breakage, loose seal, wrinkles) come from skipping the initial calibration.
Identify your case sealer's head before opening the roll
Locate the side plate of the tape dispenser head or consult your case sealer's manual to confirm the supported tape width. This is the most important data: if the width does not match, the roll will not fit into the dispenser or will become misaligned when applied.
- If you have the 50 mm variant (SKU 523454): your case sealer should indicate a 50 mm (2 in) head. This is the most common format for compact heads and table machines.
- If you have the 76 mm variant (SKU 624345): your case sealer should indicate a 76 mm (3 in) head. If your plate indicates 50 mm, do not force the roll — it will not engage properly and will damage the head or the tape.
Load the roll and thread the tape
Fit the roll into the dispenser, observing the direction of rotation indicated by the arrow on the head (the adhesive should face the box, never the guide rollers). Pass the free end through all the guide rollers and the blade, leaving about 15 cm protruding.
Calibrate the roller brake tension
Adjust the brake spring or screw on the head until the tape feeds without slack when the line is stopped and releases smoothly when it starts. Too much tension will tear the film when starting the box; too little will leave wrinkles and air under the seal.
To calibrate the brake without instruments, pull the free end of the tape by hand at medium speed. It should pull with firm, not rigid, resistance. If you need to use both hands to pull, it is too tight and will break the tape during production. If it floats out effortlessly, it is too loose and will wrinkle the seal.
Test with 3-5 empty boxes before production
Run several empty boxes through the line and check three points: the top and bottom seals are centered over the flap joint, there are no bubbles or wrinkles, and the cut at the end is clean with no hanging threads. If you notice lateral deviation, adjust the height of the head before introducing product.
Prepare for roll change without stopping the line
When you see the roll diameter drop to about 4-5 cm, have the next roll ready next to the head. This way, when the end-of-tape alarm sounds, the change takes less than a minute and the line does not accumulate boxes on the input conveyor belt.
Doubts about compatibility with your case sealer?
If you don't have your case sealer's technical sheet handy or don't know if you need the 50 mm or 76 mm variant, consult directly with the virtual assistant. It will guide you in the selection and initial calibration without having to wait.
Complementary products
Although machine tape is designed for case sealers, daily tasks often require off-line applications: sealing an export pallet, re-palletizing a damaged box in the warehouse, or labeling a fragile package. These complementary products cover these cases without having to open a new industrial roll.
The Adhesive Tape Applicator is a manual hand dispenser that only fits 76 mm (3 in) tape, so it works if you have the 76 mm variant of this same roll or any manual tape of the same width. The Transparent Manual PP Tape (100 m roll) covers occasional box sealing without having to load a 910 m industrial roll onto the line just for three packages. The FRAGILE Manual PP Tape is used to visually mark delicate packages over the main transparent tape seal.
Maintenance and care
Virgin BOPP tape maintains its performance if stored and operated correctly. Three basic rules preserve the adhesive and film throughout the roll's lifespan.
- Storage between 10 °C and 30 °C: store unopened rolls in their original packaging, horizontally on the box, away from direct sunlight and heat sources (boilers, walls that receive sun all afternoon, forklifts with hot engines).
- FIFO rotation: use the oldest rolls first. Acrylic adhesive is stable, but rotating inventory prevents an old roll from hardening at the bottom of the shelf.
- Clean the head with each roll change: take advantage of the change to clean the blade and guide rollers with a dry cloth. Old adhesive residue on the blade causes uneven cutting and drags the tape.
Do not place the roll on the adhesive side or lean it vertically on the floor. The weight of the roll itself deforms the core and causes the tape to rotate unevenly in the head, generating wrinkles in the seal from the first box. Also, do not store it in a yard or on a rooftop: direct UV radiation will yellow the BOPP film and degrade the adhesive within weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use this 910 m tape to seal boxes by hand without a machine?
Technically yes, but it is not recommended. The 910 m roll is designed for the head of a case sealer with a brake system and mechanical blade. When applied by hand, the roll is very heavy and long to hold comfortably, and without a brake, the tape tends to come out loose and leave wrinkles. For manual box sealing, use the 100 m transparent manual PP tape, which is sized for that use.
How do I identify whether my taping machine needs the 50 mm or 76 mm variant?
Look at the side plate of the tape head or the machine's technical manual. The supported tape width will be listed there, indicated as "tape width," "ancho de cinta," or directly with a number (50 mm / 2 in or 76 mm / 3 in). Another clue: measure the inside diameter of the holder where the tape roll fits with a ruler or tape measure. If you have doubts, contact the virtual assistant before ordering.
Why does the tape break in the middle of production even though the roll is new?
In 90% of cases, it's due to excessive tension on the tape head brake (step 3 of this guide). Loosen the brake screw or spring by a quarter turn and perform another test with empty boxes. Another frequent cause is a blade with old adhesive residue that drags and tears the film when cutting; clean it with each roll change as indicated in the maintenance section. If the problem persists after these two adjustments, check that the tape roll is centered in the holder and not resting on the adhesive side.