Containment Force refers to the necessary force to pull the stretch film away from the product it wraps. This measure tells us how securely the stretch film is holding the pallet. Generally, the tighter the wrap, the better. This force is typically measured in pounds with a dynamometer.
It’s important to note, though, that higher Containment Force means more stretch film usage. In essence, if we’re applying more Containment Force than needed, we could potentially reduce stretch film usage and save money.
So, what’s the ideal amount of Containment Force?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The perfect Containment Force varies depending on several factors, such as:
- Pallet size.
- Product type.
- Travel distance.
- Product rigidity.
- Transportation method.
And others.
- For more details, check out our article: “Load Retention: How Much Stretch Film Should You Apply?”
Here’s a basic guideline to help you determine the Containment Force for most situations:
Very Light Loads:
- Examples: Toilet paper, empty PET bottles, empty containers.
- Pallet weight: Up to 440 pounds.
- Recommended Containment Force: 2 to 5 pounds.
Moderately Weighted Stable Loads:
- Examples: Boxed products.
- Pallet weight: 440 to 1,100 pounds.
- Recommended Containment Force: 5 to 7 pounds.
Heavy but Unstable Loads:
- Examples: Very tall pallets, tall boxes, general beverages and liquids.
- Pallet weight: 1,100 to 1,650 pounds.
- Recommended Containment Force: 7 to 12 pounds.
Very Unstable Loads:
- Examples: Bottled water, bulk items, mixed products, bagged items.
- Pallet weight: 1,650 to 2,200 pounds.
- Recommended Containment Force: 12 to 20 pounds.
Additional Tips:
- Ensure uniform wrapping of the pallet. It’s ineffective to wrap the top part of the pallet multiple times with stretch film but only once at the bottom. Manual application by operators often results in uneven wrapping, especially at lower levels.
- Always wrap the wooden pallet to ensure proper load adherence.
- No single film type suits all loads. While some films are versatile, covering about 80% of applications, special products are sometimes needed.
- A wrapping machine will always outperform even the best manual operator.
- Reevaluate the Containment Force values mentioned above. If you lack the equipment or expertise, we can assist. Chances are, you might be using more film than necessary.
