Roll Converters face special material handling safety problems when transporting, handling and storing their materials. Convenience, function-
ality and protection all play a factor when choosing a pallet which will accompany a roll through many processes. Stratis Plastic Pallets has already addressed these safety concerns made in their cradle-style roll pallets. These solid wall molded plastic pallets have a concave cradle style deck naturally accommodating the contour of rolls. Roll pallets eliminate the need for awkward wedges used on flat deck pallets for preventing rolls from rolling off. Despite the added security cradle-style roll pallets provide, problems still exist when handling narrow slit rolls. The acceleration and deceleration of forklift trucks and other typical plant movement often causes slit rolls to tip while being transported.

Combating this problem, Stratis has developed roll “bookends” to accommodate their cradle-style roll pallets. The bookends consist of a metal channel which runs lengthwise along the center of the pallet deck. After placing slit rolls on the pallet, two vertical metal strips are fastened on either side of the pallet up against the rolls, locking them in place. The “bookends” support the slit rolls in transit and prevent them from falling over in transit and storage.

To ensure the bookends could fulfill customer needs, various tests were conducted with converting plants. Ed Hennel , Product Manager of Stratis Corporation, facilitated the testing. “Basically, we tried to simulate the typical industrial environment,” Hennel said. “We had forklift trucks stop quickly, accelerate quickly, make sharp turns, lift, shake and tilt the pallets…all the factors that could occur on a given day”. In addition Stratis enlisted the help of customers like CCL Label, Paxar, Smurfit, and Fasson for design input and preliminary testing. In the end, Stratis Bookends kept slit rolls secured on the pallet.

Stratis will be showcasing their roll pallets and bookends at PRINT 05.

Stratis Corporation specializes in plastic products for converters, web/sheetfed printers, and corrugators worldwide. For more information contact Stratis at 317-328-8000.

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