Hemp insulation is becoming increasingly popular due to its excellent thermal and acoustic performance and low environmental impact. Like other insulation materials, hemp must remain dry before installation to maintain its quality. The ability to provide six-sided, waterproof packaging makes RoRo StretchPack® packaging an optimal solution for insulation products such as hemp insulation.

We have designed a packaging line for hemp insulation panels for a new manufacturing plant. The line consists of a RoRo StretchPack® model Large S1 R, complete with an infeed conveyor. Due to the plant layout, the infeed conveyor is designed with a pop-up cross-transfer function. Each stack of hemp panels is packed horizontally into a tubular stretch hood film. During the packaging process, the stretch hood film is sealed at both ends to achieve complete waterproof protection.

Semiflow packaging of hemp panels

The packaging line is equipped with a back-sealing unit for Semiflow packaging. The purpose is to reduce the time per package, as the film is not rolled up between each package. This increases capacity, slightly reduces film usage, and results in fewer film tails for recycling. In the video, you will see how the machine packages three stacks per cycle in Semiflow mode.
 

A package of hemp insulation panels wrapped using a RoRo StretchPack® packaging line. The panels are packed horizontally into a tubular stretch hood film, which is welded at both ends during the packaging process. This results in a 100% waterproof packaging which protects the hemp insulation panels from moisture and dirt.

The quality of packaging film has a significant impact on both the packaging outcome and the performance of your packaging machines. If a packaging machine is operating unreliably and frequently experiences production stops, the cause may be the quality of the film. Therefore, when addressing performance issues, it is essential to begin by determining whether the packaging film being used meets the required quality standards.

What is a high-quality stretch hood film?

There are several parameters that define the quality of a stretch hood film. Parameters such as film thickness, coefficient of friction (COF), tear resistance, stretch retention, and stretchability are examples of important factors that determine film quality. However, different types of packaging machines have specific requirements for these parameters. In this context, we are focusing on stretch hood film for RoRo StretchPack® machines by Tentoma.

See the full list of film specifications for RoRo StretchPack® packaging.

1 – Film thickness ⇒ use the film thickness gauge

• Verify that the thickness on the stretch hood film is as required.

2 – Coefficient of friction (COF) ⇒ use the COF Indicator

• RoRo StretchPack® packaging machines require a COF of <0.25

3 – Film quality ⇒ use the Stretch Hood Film Test Tool

• High-quality stretchood film is required
  
  The Stretch Hood Film Test Tool is based on the following properties:
  • Tear resistance
  • Stretch retention
  • Overstretch lines

The test tools are available in our Test Kit

• The three tools mentioned above are available in our Test Kit.
  
  

Test Kit for stretch hood film performance testing

The performance of your packaging machines requires that the packaging film meets the required standards. Therefore, it may sometimes be necessary to test some of the film’s key parameters. For this purpose, we have developed a Test Kit that allows you to assess stretch hood film.

Test Kit for onsite testing

The Test Kit enables technicians and operators on the packaging line to carry out on-site testing of stretch hood film. The test provides an indicative assessment of the stretch hood film to determine whether it is suitable for use with the packaging machine or not. The Test Kit can be used as part of a quality control procedure for incoming film stock, or in the event of performance issues on the packaging line. 

Affordable test tools for testing stretch hood film

Two of the test tools in the Test Kit suitcase – the COF Indicator and the Stretch Hood Film Test Tool – have been developed by Tentoma. They are designed to be simple and affordable tools for easy on-site use, serving as an alternative to expensive laboratory measuring equipment.

Download: Guide to indicative test of Stretch hood film – PDF 

The Test Kit contains:

• Film thickness gauge
• COF Indicator
• Stretch Hood Film Test Tool
• Knife and cutting board to cut film samples

The price of a Test Kit is € 999.-

COF Indicator

The COF Indicator is a simple sliding test tool designed to quickly estimate the Coefficient of Friction (COF) of packaging film.

The correct COF value of the packaging film is crucial for optimal performance and for achieving the maximum capacity of the packaging machine.

Download: User manual – COF Indicator (PDF)

Stretch Hood Film Test Tool

Using the Stretch Hood Film Test Tool, you can perform a number of tests to estimate the following three factors:

• Tear Resistance (T)
• Stretch Retention (SR)
• Overstretch Lines (OSL)

These tests will provide an overall indicative assessment of how suitable the film is for stretch hood packaging.

Download: User manual  – Stretch Hood Film Test Tool (PDF)

Thickness gauge

Intended for measuring film thickness.

Use this tool to verify that the thickness of the stretch hood film is as required.

Nonwoven roll materials are used for many purposes, such as geotextiles, geosynthetics, personal protective equipment (PPE), hygiene products, wipes, etc. In any case, the packaging of nonwoven rolls is essential to protect the material against dirt and moisture before use or further processing.

The RoRo StretchPack® packaging machine is an innovative solution that is highly suitable for the automated packaging of roll materials like these. RoRo StretchPack® not only improves the roll packaging quality but also allows you to benefit from a fully automated packaging line.

The key benefits of RoRo StretchPack®

• Automated packaging and sealing in one operation
• 100% waterproof packaging
• High uniformity and repeatability
• Non-sticky film with high tear and puncture resistance
• No long welds along the roll length
• Film-reducing packaging solution
• Optimal for branding

100% waterproof packaging

RoRo StretchPack® uses a tubular stretch hood film for packaging. During the packaging process, the roll ends are sealed with a strong, temperature-controlled weld, ensuring 100% sealed packaging and protection against the penetration of dirt and water.

Reduce your film consumption

Due to the properties of the tubular stretch hood film, RoRo StretchPack® uses less film for packaging compared to conventional methods, without compromising packaging quality.

From our customers’ cases, we typically see between 25-60% in film savings when switching to RoRo StretchPack®. The film reduction is often due to the following reasons:

• Single-layer packaging
• Full utilization of the film due to stretching
• Thinner film due to stronger film type
• Tighter packaging (customizable)
• Minimum waste during packaging

Automation with RoRo StretchPack® to boost the packaging line 

Nonwoven rolls can be long, large in diameter, and heavy to handle. By using a RoRo StretchPack® machine for packaging of nonwoven rolls, you can automate your packaging process completely, improving your capacity. The packaging and sealing are done in one automated operation, and the machine is designed to provide high packaging speed with high uptime:

• Large film capacity reduces film roll changes
• Fast change of film roll (max. 5 minutes)
• Automatic shift between different roll sizes
• Minimal cleaning and maintenance
• Packaging of both batch and random orders is possible

Attractive packaging featuring your branding

The packaging serves more purposes than just protecting your roll products. It also influences how customers perceive the quality of your products.

The stretch hood film used for RoRo StretchPack® fits well and tight to the product. The film is highly tear and puncture-resistant, reducing damage to the packaging during handling and transport.

RoRo StretchPack® packaging is suitable for branding, with print appearing nice and clear on the packaging. The film can be colored and equipped with a UV filter if desired.

Click here to learn more about branding on the packaging  

With the RoRo StretchPack® packaging solution, rolls can be packed either “eye-to-wall” or “eye-to-sky,” as shown here. See more packaging examples in the roll packaging gallery.

Tentoma offers various options for its RoRo StretchPack® packaging machine, allowing the complete packaging solution to be tailored to the specific product and production line. These options ensure high-quality packaging at high capacity, with the centring unit being a prime example.

The centring unit is designed to align products on the infeed conveyor, ensuring they are perfectly centred before entering the RoRo StretchPack® packaging machine. This precise alignment guarantees a seamless packaging process, which is essential for optimising packaging capacity.

This video showcases different centring units designed for various types of conveyors, including:

• Roller conveyor
• Flat conveyor belt
• Modular belt conveyor
• Dual belt conveyor

New brochure about
roll packaging

We have now updated our brochure about roll packaging with RoRo StretchPack® by adding more photos and providing further details.

RoRo StretchPack® is highly suitable for the automated packaging of roll materials. The brochure illustrates how you can benefit from this cutting-edge technology for packaging rolls such as:

• Nonwovens
• Geotextiles
• Artificial grass
• Carpets
• Technical textiles
• Other similar roll materials