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Overview of Strapping and Its Uses
Strapping is an essential tool used to secure, unitize, bundle, and palletize items for shipping and storage. It helps keep packaged items intact during transport and handling. There are several types of strapping made from different materials that each have advantages for certain applications.
What is Strapping?
Strapping refers to heavy duty bands, ropes, wires or cords that are tensioned around items to hold them together. They are applied using manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic strapping tools and machines.
Common Types of Strapping
- Steel Strapping
- Known for high tensile strength and reuseability
- Used for heavy, dense or irregular loads
- Plastic Strapping
- Flexible, lightweight and cost effective
- Common types are polyester and polypropylene
- Cord and Rope Strapping
- Made of natural or synthetic fibers
- Used for irregular loads and outdoor applications
- Specialty Straps
- Designed for unique industry needs like aerospace and automotive
- Features like flame retardency and chemical resistance
Benefits of Strapping
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Unitization | Bundles individual items into one cohesive unit for easier handling |
| Compression | Secures stack of items by applying vertical pressure |
| Reinforcement | Adds extra strength and stability to packages |
| Damage Prevention | Protects package contents from shock, vibration, and other hazards |
Common Uses of Strapping
Strapping has many applications across numerous industries:
- Palletizing - Bundling and securing pallet loads for shipping
- Brick and block packaging - Securing bricks, concrete blocks, tile
- Paper rolls and bundled metal - Binding rolls of paper, textiles, coiled metal
- Irregular loads - Stabilizing odd-shaped cargo
- Bales and bundles - Fastening bales of cotton, wool, hay, etc.
- Doors, windows, and lumber - Protecting doors, windows, lumber during transport
- Boxes and crates - Reinforcing and unitizing boxes, crates and cases
Strapping is an indispensible tool for preparing and protecting cargo for transport and storage. Various materials and tools exist to meet the unique needs of different applications across many industries.
Pain Points of Traditional Strapping Methods
While strapping is essential for securing loads, traditional strapping techniques can present some challenges. Manual and outdated strapping methods often lead to frustration, inefficiency, and even cargo damage.
Time Consuming
Applying strapping by hand is a slow, tedious process. Workers must maneuver the strapping material around the load and fasten it using seals, crimps or buckles. This repetitive process becomes tiring and reduces productivity.
Prone to Breakage
Older strapping materials like steel can corrode and degrade over time. Improper tensioning also leads to breakage if the strap is too loose or too tight. Sudden strap breakage can cause unrestrained cargo to shift or fall.
Difficult to Adjust and Remove
Once strapping is applied, it can be tricky to make adjustments. Crimped metal seals leave no room for tightening or loosening. Cutting away straps to re-apply is time consuming and wasteful.
Can Damage Packaged Items
- Excessive compression from over-tensioning can crush contents
- Loose straps allow load shifting and shock during handling
- Sharp strap edges cut into packaged goods
| Traditional Material | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| Steel Strapping | Prone to rust and breakage, difficult reuse |
| Plastic Strapping | Susceptible to UV damage, loosening over time |
| Rope/Cord Strapping | Weaker hold, stretchs and frays with use |
While strapping remains a cargo packaging necessity, traditional application methods are rife with challenges from being time and labor intensive to posing potential damage risks. Advances in strapping materials and tools help overcome many of these issues.
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Time Consuming to Apply
One of the biggest drawbacks of traditional strapping methods is how time consuming and inefficient the manual application process can be.
Repetitive Motions
Applying straps involves considerable repetitive motion. Workers must feed the strapping material around the load, pull it taut, seal or crimp it, and cut off the excess. This Strapping process is performed multiple times to fully secure the load. The repetitive nature of these motions takes a physical toll over time.
Awkward Positions
Depending on the size and shape of the load, workers may have to strap in awkward positions. Bending, reaching, and straddling large loads adds time and difficulty compared to strapping smaller static items.
Manual Tensioning
Tensioning the straps is generally done manually, requiring significant physical effort. Workers ratchet the straps tighter using brute strength. Inconsistent tightening leads to strap breakage or load shifting.
Crimping and Sealing
Metal strapping must go through a crimping process, while plastic strapping requires heat sealing. Both activities add steps compared to tools that self-tighten and clamp straps.
Excess Strapping Material
After strapping is applied, excess material must be cut off. Failure to do so leaves unsightly and potentially dangerous loose strap tails. This cutting step further extends the time required.
Strapping Reapplication
If initial strapping is inadequate, it must be cut away and re-applied. This dramatically slows the process and wastes material.
Effects of Manual Strapping
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Employee fatigue
- Lower productivity
- Higher labor costs
The fully manual process of traditional strapping methods is inherently inefficient. New powered strapping tools help automate and streamline the strapping process. Their advanced tensioning and sealing features significantly reduce the time required to strap loads securely.
Prone to Breakage
Strapping breakage is a common issue with traditional strapping materials and application methods. Several factors make old strapping technologies prone to snap or rupture.
Material Degradation
Certain strapping materials are susceptible to degradation over time. Steel straps can corrode and rust when exposed to moisture or weather. Plastic straps become brittle when exposed to prolonged UV light or pollution.
Improper Tension
Incorrect strap tensioning leads to premature breakage. Over-tensioning fatigues the material, while under-tensioning allows load shifting that dynamically stresses the straps.
Shock and Vibration
Cargo undergoes significant forces during handling and transport. Drops, bumps, vibration and acceleration can cause improperly secured straps to fail.
Abrasion and Wear
Straps rub and chafe against load edges, skids, and other straps during use. This abrasion damages fibers and the strap's structural integrity over time.
Twisting and Knotting
Twisted, kinked or knotted straps concentrate force unevenly when tensioned. This leads to fatigue, damage and sudden failure at these points.
Environmental Factors
- Temperature extremes can embrittle strapping
- Oils and chemicals degrade many plastic materials
- Saltwater corrodes and pits metal strapping
Consequences of Strapping Failure
- Cargo shifting, falling or tipping
- Product damage and loss
- Worker injuries
- Transportation delays
Modern high-strength composite straps and proper application techniques significantly reduce breakage issues. Maintenance and inspection programs also help detect damage before catastrophic strap failure.
Difficult to Adjust and Remove
Traditional strapping materials and sealing methods pose challenges when adjustments or removal are needed after application.
Metal Seals
Steel strapping is typically sealed using metal seals that are crimped tightly shut. This creates an unbroken "loop" of strapping with no loose ends. To release tension or remove this type of strapping, the metal seal must be cut off. The strap then needs to be re-fed through the buckle and re-sealed.
Heat Seals
Plastic strapping is sealed by melting the overlapping material together. The fused, solidified joint leaves no ability to tighten or loosen the strap. Cutting the strap is the only way to release the tension or remove it completely.
Knots and Latches
Rope, cord and some plastic straps use knots, hitches or latches to secure them. While these allow for some adjustability, they can tighten and become very difficult to untie when holding a load. Cutting may be required for removal.
Ratchet Mechanisms
Manual ratchet strap tensioners must be released before any loosening can occur. And most lack preset tension levels, so reaching the same tightness again is guesswork.
Time Consuming
Having to cut straps to alter tension or remove them slows workflow. Retying and resealing straps to achieve the needed tension also takes time.
Waste
Cutting straps during removal generates material waste and cost. The unused section of cut strap may be too short to reuse.
Asset Protection
Ability to re-apply and re-tighten straps without cutting allows reuse over more loads. This reduces consumable costs.
Tool-applied straps with built-in tensioning and clamping adjustments offer the flexibility traditional systems lack. Quick-release mechanisms also enable easier strap removal.
How to Use Amazon Prime to Buy Strapping
Strapping is an essential material for securing pallet loads and bundling items together. If you need straps for shipping, packaging or storage needs, Amazon Prime provides a convenient way to order all kinds of strapping and have it delivered fast.
Search for Strapping
Use the Amazon search bar to search for "strapping" or more specific terms like "steel strapping", "plastic strapping", or "ratchet straps." You can further filter results by various features like strap width, strength, and material.
Select Strapping Type
Choose the best strapping type for your application. Fiber or steel straps work for heavy loads. Plastic poly straps are lightweight and economical. Ratchet straps adjust easily. Browse product descriptions to match the right strapping to your needs.
Check Seller Ratings
Look at the seller’s ratings and reviews. Highly rated sellers generally deliver quality products and good service. Sort strapping search results by rating to find top sellers.
Compare Prices
Amazon displays a price range for search results. Click through to product pages to view costs from specific sellers. Prime members can filter for Prime eligible items to narrow options.
Order Strapping Supplies
Add straps, buckles, seals, tensioners and any related supplies to your cart. Use the "Save for Later" feature to bookmark items for future purchases.
Select Speedy Delivery
At checkout, Prime members can choose free one-day, two-day or same-day delivery windows. Non-Prime members can filter for free shipping options.
Track Your Order
Once your order is placed, you can go to Your Orders to view current status and delivery details. Amazon provides tracking and notifications to monitor progress.
With its huge selection and fast shipping, Amazon Prime makes sourcing all your strapping needs convenient and cost-effective. Keep your shipping operation stocked up and secured.
