Application of Steel Strapping Tools in The Packaging Industry
When choosing strapping materials for packaging and shipping, steel strapping is the traditional choice for many industries. With its durability and high tensile strength, steel secures and protects the heaviest loads.
At Gateway Packaging, we offer a range of high-quality steel strapping tools to help you to get the most from your strapping.
If you’re new to using steel, let’s look it its advantages.
Steel strapping: the toughest material for the toughest challenges
Steel strapping is manufactured in various grades. It’s trusted to secure loads in the harshest environments, in industries such as mining and construction. Not only does it withstand extremes of heat and cold, when manufactured of galvanized or stainless steel, it resists corrosion.
However, steel strapping has challenges when it comes to worker safety, so it’s essential to use the appropriate tools, plus safeguards, when you’re packaging and banding.
Tools for steel strapping: choose the best for your applications
Every form of strapping or banding material whether plastic or steel, needs appropriate seals. It also needs tools: for tensioning, closing the seals, and finally, cutting the strap once it’s sealed.
You need:
- A tensioning tool to tighten the strap around an item or load;
- Seals;
- A crimper or other tool to seal the strap tightly, so that it maintains its tension;
- A cutter, to cut the ends of the strapping after it’s sealed.
It’s best to buy your steel strapping coils, seals, and tools together, so that you know you’ve chosen the best for your needs.
Let’s look at the popular types of tools, and how to use them.
Manual steel strapping: your essential tensioner
When you’re applying steel strapping, a quality tensioner is essential. For example: here’s a heavy duty steel strapping tensioner. It applies strap from 12mm to 19mm in width. (Your tools, seals, and strapping all need to be the same width.)
It’s easy to apply tension with a tensioner. Here’s how:
- Loop the strapping around the item, or around the boxes on a pallet.
- Keep the strap closest to you on top, then pull the strap as tight as you can.
- Apply your tensioner, and begin tightening. Add edge protectors if needed, so your products avoid damage when the strap is fully tensioned.
- Once you’ve reached the best tension, apply your seal.
- Use a crimper to secure the seal around the strap. Once sealed, you can cut the end of the strap and remove the tensioner.
Sealing your strapping: choose the right seal
If you’re uncertain about the best seals, get advice when you’re buying your strapping materials. Seals come in different sizes and grades, and are used with crimping tools.
A crimper tightens the seal onto the strap, so that the tension you’ve applied is maintained.
Choose a quality crimping tool of high quality materials, so that your strap is secured—low-quality tools can lead to dangerous situations, if a seal releases suddenly, whether it’s in a warehouse, or during transport.
Dealing with high volumes? Consider a steel strapping dispenser
Dispensers offer productivity benefits, and are available for both rope and ribbon wound steel strapping.
Choosing rope wound strapping makes sense; the strap’s rounded edges mean it’s easier to use, as well as offering high break strength. Commonly it’s used for transporting heavy products and materials which might be damaged by standard steel strapping.
Ribbon wound strapping offers similar benefits to rope wound, but the coils are flatter—the strap is wound around itself, like everyday sticky tape on a roll.
Strapping dispensers are mobile, so you can move a dispenser wherever it’s needed in your operations. Gateway Packaging offers dispensers for both rope and ribbon wound steel strapping.
Whenever you’re using steel, worker safety is a concern.
Quick tips for worker safety when using steel strapping
Steel strapping can be dangerous if it’s used without proper safety gear. Ensure that whenever you’re working with it, you use quality gloves and safety eyewear. Protect your arms and legs with clothing.
Also ensure that you:
- Have a wide, clear area for operations. When you apply tension to steel strapping, it may snap or break. Then the strap whips through the air with force—it’s as dangerous as a thrown knife blade.
- Collect all the tools you’ll need before you start working with the strap, so that you don’t need to leave the operation to find seals, or a crimping tool.
- Take regular breaks. Stay alert, not only to what you’re doing, but also to what’s happening around you.
Looking for the best tools for your needs? We can help
At Gateway Packaging, we’re committed to providing the best solutions for you. Contact us for advice on the best steel strapping tools for your applications.