Usage guide | Transparent polypropylene (PP) tape for machines
This guide covers loading and operating the PP machine tape on case-taping machines: head identification, loading and threading the roll, brake calibration, pre-run testing and changing the roll without stopping the line. Follow these steps so your packing line runs without stops and every box comes out cleanly sealed.
Product specifications
The tape is virgin BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene) with acrylic adhesive, made by Fortemo on extended rolls of 910 m (1000 yd). The difference between the two variants is the applied width of the tape, which must match the head of your automatic or semi-automatic case taper. Locate your variant by SKU below to check its exact data.
| Specification | 50 mm / Box of 12 | 76 mm / Box 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 box | 12 rolls | 8 rolls |
| Application mode | Automatic or semi-automatic case taper | Automatic or semi-automatic case taper |
| 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 checked on the product page before operating.
Step-by-step instructions for use
Follow the order. Each step ends in a verifiable result before moving on to the next. Most in-line problems (tape breakage, loose seal, wrinkles) come from skipping the initial calibration.
Identify the head of your case taper before opening the roll
Locate the side plate of the roll-carrier head or check your case taper's manual to confirm the supported tape width. This is the most important data point: if the width does not match, the roll will not fit the roll carrier or will misalign when applied.
- If you have the 50 mm variant (SKU 523454): your case taper must indicate a 50 mm (2 in) head. It is the most common format on compact heads and tabletop machines.
- If you have the 76 mm variant (SKU 624345): your case taper must 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 break the head or the tape.
Load the roll and thread the tape
Fit the roll into the roll carrier respecting the direction of rotation indicated by the arrow on the head (the adhesive must face toward the box, never toward the guide rollers). Pass the free end through all the guide rollers and through the blade, leaving about 15 cm protruding.
Calibrate the roller brake tension
Adjust the brake spring or screw on the head until the tape comes out without slack when the line is stopped and releases smoothly when it starts. Too much tension bursts the film when the box starts; too little leaves 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 come out with firm resistance, not stiff. If you need to use both hands to pull it, it is too tight and will break the tape in production. If it comes out floating effortlessly, it is loose and will wrinkle the seal.
Test with 3-5 empty boxes before producing
Run several empty boxes through the line and check three points: the top and bottom seals are centered over the flap join, there are no bubbles or wrinkles, and the cut at the end is clean with no threads hanging. If you notice lateral deviation, adjust the head height before putting product in.
Prepare the roll change without stopping the line
When you see the roll diameter drop to about 4-5 cm, leave the next roll ready beside the head. That way, when the end-of-tape warning sounds, the change takes less than a minute and the line does not pile up boxes on the infeed conveyor.
Complementary products
Although the machine tape is designed for a case taper, day-to-day work always brings up occasional off-line tasks: closing an export pallet, re-palletizing a box damaged in the warehouse or marking a fragile package. These complements cover those cases without having to open a new industrial roll.
The Tape applicator is a handheld manual 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 the occasional closing of boxes without having to load a 910 m roll on 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 keeps its performance if you store and operate it correctly. Three basic rules preserve the adhesive and the film throughout the roll's entire service life.
- Storage between 10 °C and 30 °C: store unopened rolls in their original packaging, in a horizontal position on the box, away from direct sunlight and heat sources (boilers, walls that get sun all afternoon, forklifts with a hot motor).
- FIFO rotation: use the oldest rolls first. The acrylic adhesive is stable, but rotating inventory prevents an old roll from being left at the back of the shelf hardening.
- Head cleaning at every roll change: take advantage of the change to clean the blade and the guide rollers with a dry cloth. Old adhesive residue on the blade causes an uneven cut and drags the tape.
Do not place the roll on the adhesive side or rest it vertically on the floor. The weight of the roll itself deforms the core and causes the tape to turn unevenly on the head, generating wrinkles in the seal from the first box. Nor should you store it in a yard or on a rooftop: direct UV radiation yellows the BOPP film and degrades 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 advisable. The 910 m roll is designed for the head of a case taper with a brake system and a mechanical blade. 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 closing, use the 100 m transparent manual PP tape, which is sized for that use.
How do I identify whether my case taper needs the 50 mm or 76 mm variant?
Look at the side plate of the roll-carrier head or the machine's technical manual. There you will find the supported tape width, 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 inner diameter of the holder where the roll fits with a tape measure. If in doubt, contact the virtual assistant before ordering.
Why does the tape break mid-production even though the roll is new?
In 90 % of cases it is excessive tension on the head brake (step 3 of this guide). Loosen the brake screw or spring a quarter turn and run 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 at every roll change as the maintenance section indicates. If after these two adjustments the problem continues, check that the roll is centered in the roll carrier and not resting on the adhesive side.