Posted By Jonathan McCoy
Anybody know of a simple low cost device / tool which could be used to remove plastic banding. The plastic banding I refer to is wrapped around bundles of 10 - 15 flat-pack corrugated boxes. There would be 10 - 20 of these bundles stacked on a pallet.

We have been asked by our customer to have our people remove this banding when the product is brought to point of use. It is relatively easy to remove banding from bundles close to the top of the pile on a pallet without harm, but as you try to remove the lower ones you will be lucky if you don't receive a laceration.

I have tried various searches on Google but with no avail.

If anybody has any suggestions I would be grateful.

Posted By Michelle Wilson
If the banding is removed from the bundle, isn't there a risk that the bundles will move/pallet collapse?
If customer still insists on removal try google for Penguin/Fish knife (sorry - can't remember the supplier and I'm not in the office)

Posted By Merv Newman
I normally recommend that the people who remove the banding, steel or plastic, wear a face shield. I have met two store men with deep scars across their cheeks.

Merv

Posted By sagalout
Jonathan, you say
"It is relatively easy to remove banding from bundles close to the top of the pile on a pallet without harm, but as you try to remove the lower ones you will be lucky if you don't receive a laceration."

This would suggest that maybe your work method is not ideal because the additonal tension must be coming from the weight in the stack? Then you are reducing the stability of the stack as you cut the bands. The operator is most probably getting closer to ground level bending over or kneeling down on the floor to cut the lowest band? Total weight of the stack if it fell on the employee whilst bent over?
Have you stood back and looked at how you are doing this? Sometimes we try to solve the problem caused by the thing we should be solving.
Please understand that this comment is a technical challenge to a colleague and not made or intended as any judgement of your approach.

One detailed point, position is very important when faced with this sort of removal. Make sure you cover it in any training, I am sure you know, keep your body bits out of the obvious firing line, facemask or not.

Posted By Paul Adams
We have a tool with long handles (keeps hands and face clear) which grips the banding each side of the cutting point and and then cuts the band. It reduces most of the recoil as it is released. I believe such tools are widely available from numerous tool outlets.
Sorry, don't have the name of the device.