Warehousing & Logistics

How to Choose Warehousing and Logistics Packaging Equipment

Pallets in a warehouse or on a truck need protection from rain, dust, damage and tampering. Shrink covers do that on five sides. The equipment in this collection makes, fits and shrinks those covers; choose it by pallet volume, pallet heights and where the work is done.

Heat guns for flexible use

A propane heat shrink gun works on any pallet and also on large or odd-shaped loads. The Ripack 3000 (45–80 kW) is built for heavy daily use; the Ripack 2500 (34–60 kW) is lighter for regular use. Both come as complete kits.

Turbopack for high volumes

The Ripack Turbopack V2 is a mobile shrink column. The operator walks it once around the pallet, and per Ripack the cover is shrunk on all sides and the top in about 40 seconds. Six column heights from 2.62 to 10.5 ft cover different pallet heights.

Covers made to size

Instead of stocking pre-made hoods in many sizes, you can make covers to each pallet's height. The Multicover 955 seals covers with a Ripack heat gun and needs no power; the Multicover 960 E seals them by electrical impulse. The Multicover 935 holds up to four film rolls.

Securing the cover under the pallet

The Calpack V2 pallet raiser lifts the pallet slightly, so film can be pulled under the bottom edge before shrinking. The shrunk cover then holds the load to the pallet.

Fixed installations

For a fixed shrink station in a line, the Ripaflam automated propane burner provides heat with electronic ignition and flame control.

Outdoor storage and export

Shrink covers are common for goods stored outdoors and for export loads that travel for weeks. A cover that is shrunk tight and tucked under the pallet sheds rain and keeps dust and birds out, and it shows the receiver at a glance whether the load has been opened on the way. Thicker film gives more protection for heavy, sharp-edged or outdoor loads.

Space and workflow

Plan a wrapping area with room around the pallet; the Turbopack needs 55″ (140 cm) of clearance. Keep film rolls, the cover sealer and the gas cylinders in one zone, and use cylinder trolleys to move the heat source. A short, fixed route from the cover station to the pallet saves time on every load.

Safety

Propane heat tools are operated only by trained personnel, following Ripack's instructions and local fire and gas codes. Keep the area free of flammable material and check hoses and connections before each use.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using film that is too thin for heavy or sharp-edged loads leads to punctures; using film that is too thick for light loads wastes material. Shrinking the top first instead of the skirt lets the cover ride up. And a wrapping area without enough clearance slows every job down. Train operators on a few test pallets before going live.

Planning checklist

Note your pallet sizes and heights, the number of pallets per day, whether loads are stored outdoors or exported, and where the propane cylinders will be kept. With this information we can suggest a gun, a Multicover setup or a Turbopack.

Choosing by volume

A few pallets a day: a heat gun and pre-made covers. Mixed pallet heights: add a Multicover sealer. Many pallets per shift: a Turbopack.

Delivery

Ripack products ship from Ripack's facilities in the Chicago area, Illinois, by UPS or LTL freight. Shipping is quoted in writing before you pay.

Compare the equipment

Read How to Shrink Wrap a Pallet and Propane Heat Shrink Guns: A Buyer's Guide, and use the Pallet Shrink Calculator. See also Pallet Shrink Wrapping.