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Packaging of aluminum profiles

Adhensive film and heat shrink film packaging of extruded aluminum profiles helps to protect them from damage, exposure to corrosive elements, scratches and other hazards before and during shipment to the customer. Packaging of aluminum profiles also helps to reduce the size of the casement needed to protect the profiles during transportation.

Special packing machines are used to package aluminum profiles after cutting them into the appropriate size. Some machines may be used to wrap branded tape around the profiles while others simply wrap plain transparent polythene packing material around the profiles.

Before packing most profiles, symmetrical profiles are grouped together to save space during shipping. Profiles may be stacked into groups of 2, 4, 6, or 8 depending on the weight and geometry. After grouping the profiles, they are transfered to the machine that wraps adhesive tape around them.

Profiles may move along a run-off table automatically as the tape is wrapped around them or they may be set on the machine manually. After wrapping the profiles with the packing material, they are taken to the stacking area where they are stacked up either for storage or for shipping. The profiles are usually weighed before they are placed on pallets or loaded into a truck for shipping.

Automated packing lines may be used to complete all the steps involved in the process of packing aluminum profiles. The profiles will be wrapped with a protective self-adhesive film and passed through a heater to seal the film. Then they will be put together to form a bundle. Bundle formation may be done with stretch film, creped paper or nylon. Then another master bundle may be created before the profiles are handled by a crane or forklift. The size of this master bundle is usually determined by the requirements of the customer.

After the master bundle has been created, it will be wrapped again with stretch nylon or placed inside a cardboard box. Then the entire bundle will be strapped with wood reinforcements to prevent scratching or friction while the profiles are in transit. Finally, the entire package will be weighed on the automated line.

The automated packing lines are supported by bundle formation trolleys. These trolleys help the operators who have to do manual formation of bundles. In some cases, the order may not be large enough to make the use of the automated lines cost effective. So for small batches, these bundle trolleys have two arms to hold the bundles while they are being formed.

The arms of the bundle trolleys can be adjusted by hand wheels depending on the length of the bundle to be formed. This machine permits the formation of bundles of various dimensions. It also automatically discharges the bundle unto the table by its side so the bundles can be moved from there to the place where they will be placed in boxes or wrapped together with stretch nylon.

The wrapping of the bundles provides an additional layer of protection for the aluminum profiles. It also allows more packing material to be placed in areas where the crane is going to handle the profiles. This ensures that the profiles are delivered to the customer without any defects.