Nails are essential in many construction tasks, including roofing, flooring, and woodworking. One type, collated nails, are arranged in strips by machines called nail collators, allowing for easy use in nail guns. This automation increases productivity and cost-effectiveness, granting faster completion of projects. In this article, K. TICHO Industries will share knowledge of nail collators, their types, advantages, and how to choose these machines.

What is a Nail Collator?

A nail collator, also called a nail collating machine, is a specialized machine that arranges welds, and links nails into strips or coils, facilitating their use with nail guns. The machine arranges nails in a vibrating tray, aligning them neatly. The nail collator connects nails using wire, plastic, or paper, resulting in a coiled or stripped appearance.

As we mentioned in the previous section, these nails are known as collated nails. Collated nails are often used with pneumatic nail guns for various applications, including wooden packaging (e.g., crates and pallets), construction (roofing, flooring, framing), and carpentry (house framing, floor, and roof frameworks). Thus, nail collators are valuable tools in these fields as they organize nails, saving time and effort.

Types of Nail Collators

There are three primary types of nail collators, each suitable for different applications based on how the nails are connected.

1. Wire Coil Nail Collator

The wire coil nail collator connects each nail using wire and forms a coil through electrical welding. This method provides a stable, dependable connection for heavy-duty applications. The wire coil design keeps the coil nails tightly connected, even under heavy usage.

• Applications: Commonly used in the production of wooden pallets, floorboards, and heavy-duty wooden structures, wire coil nails are particularly suited for industrial and construction projects needing high-strength wood joining.
• Recommended Product: TICHO Wire Coil Nail Collator (15 DEG. WIRE COIL NAIL COLLATOR)

▲Our wire coil nail collators can produce 800 to 2200 nails per minute, speeding up the collating process.

2. Plastic Strip Nail Collator

Plastic strip collators connect nails in a straight row using sturdy plastic material. Modern plastic strip nail collators are capable of producing thousands of nails per minute. This type of collated nail is ideal for outdoor applications due to its resistance to wear and degradation under challenging conditions. Plastic strip nails offer strong holding power.

• Applications: Framing, sheathing, and general carpentry, particularly for outdoor work that needs sturdiness in various weather conditions.
• Recommended Product: TICHO Plastic Strip Nail Collator (21 DEG. PLASTIC STRIP NAIL COLLATOR)

▲ The 21-degree angle is a standard in many framing nails; K. TICHO Industries’s product ensures compatibility and ease of use in different nailing tasks.

3. Paper Strip Nail Collator

The paper strip nail collator uses paper tape to hold nails in a strip, ensuring even spacing and firm attachment for smooth feeding into nail guns. Its quick-decomposing paper tape is more eco-friendly than plastic. Besides, paper strips are easy to remove during use, creating a safer work environment with low waste.

• Applications: Primarily used with pneumatic nailing hammers for fast and profitable fastening of wooden structures.
• Recommended Product: TICHO Paper Strip Nail Collator (34 DEG. ROUND HEAD PAPER STRIP NAIL COLLATOR)

▲The machine can handle nail sizes ranging from 3.33 to 3.76 mm in diameter and 38 to 64 mm in length, making it suitable for various applications.

Advantages of Using a Nail Collator

Using a nail collating machine offers several advantages, including:

1. Increased Productivity:

Automatic collating improves output rates. It helps production go speedy. These machines handle many nails quickly, way more than people can. This means projects get done swiftly.

2. Improved Consistency:

Nails are produced in uniform sizes and arrangements, granting quality consistency in the final product. This is important for construction projects because it keeps everything strong and looking good. Most machines can also be changed to work with different kinds of nails, so they're flexible for different projects.

3. Lower Labor Costs:

Businesses can lower the amount of manual work needed by using a nail collating machine. This frees workers to do more important tasks, which means high efficiency. It also brings less physical strain and repetitive movement for workers. Thus, it improves the work environment and reduces the chance of mistakes or accidents caused by tiredness.

4. Lower Material Waste:

Nail collating machines optimize material use, lower waste, and raise nail quality by precisely organizing and welding each nail. This decreases scrap metal and rejected materials, leading to cost savings and a smaller environmental footprint.

5. Strengthened Competitiveness:

In today's competitive marketplace, businesses aim to boost productivity and cut costs. Automating the collating process and minimizing material waste create high-quality nails at lower prices, increasing competitiveness and allowing for reinvestment. Consistent quality strengthens reputation, while adaptability in nail types brings market attraction.

How to Select a Nail Collator

When choosing a nail collator, making the proper selection is crucial for maintaining the work rate in the operations. Below are the key factors to consider when buying a nail collator:

1. Production Requirements:

The first step is to understand your production needs. Consider the following:

• Nail Type: What types of nails will be used (e.g., coil nails, strip nails, paper-collated, or plastic-collated nails)? Head type and thread are also pivotal. Check if the machine is compatible with the type of nails.
• Material: Decide the material of the nails (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.) and check that the nail collator handles that material adequately.
• Nail Size and Dimensions: Verify that the nail collating machine accommodates the range of sizes (length and diameter) planned to process.
• Output Volume: Analyze the required manufacturing volume. If the demand is high, select a nail collating machine capable of producing nails for mass production.

2. Machine Performance:

The performance of the nail collating machine is one of the most critical factors to evaluate, as it directly affects manufacturing. Key performance indicators include:

• Speed: Check the nail collator’s operational speed, measured in nails per minute. Speedy machines are excellent for high-demand work, while slower ones may be more suitable for smaller batches. It’s also good if the machine has features like high-frequency inverter welders or automatic rubber banders.
• Accuracy & Stability: Verify the machine can collate nails consistently, lowering the risk of defective products.
• User-Friendliness: Evaluate whether the nail collating machine has an intuitive interface or control system, making it easy for staff to use with the littlest training.

3. Space Availability:

Before purchasing a nail collator, confirm the available space in the manufacturing facility. Nail collators come in various sizes, so it’s essential to choose one that fits comfortably within the workspace:

• Dimensions & Accessibility: Check that the area for the machine matches its footprint and has enough space around it for maintenance, refilling, and operator access.

4. Cost:

When selecting a machine, evaluate the initial expense versus long-term savings. Higher-priced machines may perform more tasks and last longer, making them a better investment. Don’t forget to include maintenance and replacement costs in your calculations.

5. After-Sales Support:

Dependable after-sales service is essential for smooth operations. Consider manufacturers who offer:

• Maintenance and Repair Services: Ensure the manufacturer offers timely maintenance services to avoid costly delays from unexpected machine downtime.
• Warranty: Look into the warranty details to find out what’s included and how long it lasts.

6. Manufacturer Reputation:

Choose a reputable manufacturer like K. TICHO Industries with a proven track record. K. TICHO Industries is a leading manufacturer with over four decades of experience in the fastening industry. We provide top-quality nail collating machines and are known for our exceptional customer service.

Looking for a Nail Collating Machine Manufacturer?

K. TICHO Industries believes you have gained the basic knowledge about these machines in this guide. Nail collators are indispensable in industries requiring productivity, accuracy, and expense savings. You can increase the business's output by selecting the correct type of nail collator based on production needs and considering factors such as machine performance and manufacturer reputation.

With reliable products and a good reputation, K. TICHO Industries is an excellent choice for businesses seeking nail collating machines. Please feel free to contact us for a quote or further information about nail collators.