ELECTRONIC CONTROL OF METERED FILM DISPENSING IN A WRAPPING APPARATUS

The invention relates to a method of wrapping a load (104), comprising providing relative rotation between a film dispenser (116) containing a roll of film (130) and a load (104) to dispense the film to be wrapped around the load (104); monitoring rotation of a roller engaged by the film as the film is dispensed by the film dispenser (116); and determining, based on the rotation of the roller, an amount of film dispensed by the film dispenser (116). The invention further relates An apparatus (100) for wrapping a load (104), comprising a film dispenser (116) for dispensing a film and including a film dispensing drive (124); a rotational drive system (108) for providing relative rotation between the load (104) and the film dispenser (116) during a wrapping cycle; a roller configured to sense movement of the film dispensed by the film dispenser (116); and a controller (160) configured to control the film dispensing drive (124) and the rotational drive system (108) to dispense the film during the relative rotation, wherein the controller (160) is further configured to monitor rotation of the roller as the film is dispensed by the film dispenser (116) and determine, based on the rotation of the roller, an amount of film dispensed by the film dispenser (116).