SHRINK WRAP EQUIPMENT
OVERVIEW
SHRINK FILM EQUIPMENT
An L-bar system is simply a machine that applies heat and
pressure to a polyolefin shrink film in order to effect a proper seal. L-Sealers utilize
centerfolded shrink film and seal open edges in the machine direction as well as the
leading and trailing edges in the transverse direction.

L-Sealer Shrink packaging System
For
pictures and a comparison of other shrink wrap methods click here
There are two types of impulse sealing systems in
the marketplace today: electromechanical gap compensation (oldest type) and electronic
heat control (newest type).
Electromechanical Gap Compensation: Electromechanical Gap Compensation: The
seal wire is stretched between two points and spring loaded toward one side with an
adjustable gap compensator switch. Opening and closing of the gap is the switching
function. When the seal bar is down, voltage is provided to the seal wire which heats and
expands (heating portion of the cycle only). As the wire continues to expand, the gap
begins to close. When the gap is closed, voltage is turned off and the sealing head
remains down, applying pressure, during dwell time (the cooling or curing portion of the
cycle). The width of the gap determines how long the wire will remain hot. The advantage
to this process is it is simple, effective, proven and maintainable.
Electronic Heat Control: Electronic Heat Control: A printed circuit board or
microprocessor is utilized to measure and control temperature and time. The trend today is
to utilize electronic controls since the specific temperature is more accurately
controlled and is more resistant to benign tampering.
Pressure during cycle
dwell is critical. There are three common methods
for controlling seal pressure:
Manual L-Sealers with no magnetic hold down: Manual L-Sealers with no magnetic hold down: Pressure
is applied by the operator who pushes down on the seal bar until the seal process is
completed. Usually, a buzzer or light indicates a completed cycle.
Manual L-Sealers with magnetic hold down: Manual L-Sealers with magnetic hold down: The operator
brings the seal bar down manually; magnets then engage to hold the seal bar against the
sealing pad until electronically released by the machine timer (dwell time). The advantage
to using magnetic clamping systems is that they accurately control dwell time and maintain
uniform pressure during dwell (consistent with all operators).
Air-actuated semi-automatic and automatic machines:
Air-actuated semi-automatic and automatic machines:
Uses air-pressure to hold the seal bar against the pad at the proper pressure. In some
cases the bar is brought to the pad mechanically with cycling arms; in other cases the
sealing bar is brought into contact with electronic magnets.
Most problems with seal pressure are encountered when the
seal pad is uneven as a result of excessive use, or poorly designed/low volume equipment.
Proper pressure depends upon a flat seal pad of the correct height and density. Further,
if the seal bars are out of alignment it is difficult to provide correct pressure.
Adjustable inverted film forming plow allows centerfolded
film to be utilized in-line by accommodating film behind the machine (transverse
direction) and inverting it 90 degrees so that the film web runs in the machine direction.
This system is commonly utilized on semi-automatic and intermittent automatic L-sealers,
and automatic side-seal equipment.
Film separating rods Film separating rods are often utilized to separate
film that may have some residual static caused by winding and to improve film openability
and machinability.
Seal height position adjustment Seal height position adjustment (seal tray height or
take-away conveyor height adjustment) ensures that the seal is properly placed (centered)
on the package - allowing for product height flexibility on the machine for a range of
products.
Power take-away conveyors Power take-away conveyors automatically transfer the
product into the shrink tunnel after sealing is complete.
Film clamps Film clamps are used on semi and automatic L-sealers
to hold the film in position during the sealing cycle.
When shrinking film around a product, the air within the film
envelope expands and causes the film to "balloon" around the product. Air
venting devices are required to ensure proper shrinkage by allowing air to escape from the
product. Residual air, left unreleased because air holes were insufficient, could
eventually cause the seals to burst or may leave the air trapped within the package; after
the air cools and/or escapes, the film will appear as though it has not been completely
shrunk or has relaxed. In some extreme cases when there are too many air evacuation holes
or where poor seals occur, the air escapes too rapidly and the film may have ineffective
shrink (excessive wrinkles). Typical devices include thermal, electric, pneumatic and
rotary mechanical perforators.
AUTOMATIC, HORIZONTAL, FORM, FILL, SEAL EQUIPMENT
Automatic form/fill/seal equipment is
designed for high-speed packaging (50 to 200 packages per minute). Product is fed
into a flighted or belted in-feed where it is fed into a horizontal tube of film which is
formed by a forming shoe with singlewound film. The edges of the film are overlapped and
bonded electrostatically or thermally. Both product and film are advanced by a vacuum belt
into a continuous motion cross seal. The primary advantages of using this type of
equipment is the lack of film scrap and the less expensive singlewound film.

Recently, automatic side sealing equipment has become
quite popular. Product is fed into a flighted or belted infeed where it is fed into a
horizontal tube of film which is formed by an inverted film forming plow (or similar
system) with centerfolded or singlewound film (coming off of a centerfolding device). A
side seal system uses wires, ribbons and other thermal devices to weld the seal along the
open centerfolded edge in the machine direction. Hot knives or seal wires upstream
complete the package with transverse seals. The primary advantage to this type of system
is its moderate range speeds (usually to 60 packages per minute) and its rapid change over
which accommodates a wide range of products.
A shrink tunnel A shrink tunnel is used to shrink films that have been
sealed around a particular product. Oriented film retains a thermal memory. The maximum
amount of shrink which can be achieved is directly related to the degree of stretch which
is induced during orientation. All oriented films shrink at temperatures near their
melting points. Precise tunnel temperature, air velocity, and conveyor speed control are
necessary to achieve optimum package appearance without scorching.
Polyolefin films Polyolefin films (CRYOVAC) require both heat and air
velocity for shrinkage. Additionally, the direction and velocity of aim a shrink tunnel
must be controlled to shrink polyolefm films effectively.
Because there are many variables related to both product
shape and material, and film characteristics, it becomes important to understand the
shrink tunnel controls that affect those variables:
Package Size
Type of Film
Package Color and Texture
Ambient Condition
Tunnel Efficiency
Conveyor Speed
Tunnel Temperature
Air velocity
Production Speed (packages per minute)
Adjustable air temperature controllers provide heat energy that is necessary to influence the films thermal memory
(shrinkage). Too little heat will not induce enough shrinkage. Too much heat will cause
film bum-through. Directly related to the cost of a machine (quality) are the range of
thermostatic temperature controllers. More expensive tunnels have more consistent
thermostats and controllers that produce consistent and predictable packaging results
Adjustable air flow vents control the
flow of the warm air both above and below a product, as well as the sides, where product
temperature, materials, size, color and shape create potential shrinkage problems. Air
flow patterns help to correct potential shrinkage errors.
Air velocity controls adjust the volume of
warm air (energy) that makes contact with the film. Air turbulence may allow the
temperature to be reduced so that bum-through can be reduced. Also, it may eliminate
unsightly dog ears that may exist on larger packages. Air velocity may be controlled by
adjusting the dampers for each blower or by adding more blowers to a particular tunnel.
Air velocity varies from tunnel to tunnel as does price and quality.
Adjustable conveyor speeds not only control
the speed at which a product completes shrinkage in a shrink tunnel, but also affects the
degree of film shrinkage by controlling the length of time the film is exposed to the warm
air (energy).
A variety of tunnel conveyors are available for shrink
tunnels. Dead rollers are utilized for polyethylene films that rely more on heat for
shrinkage than air velocity. Solid belt conveyors do not allow significant air flow
beneath the product and are often used for PVC and polyethylene applications. Some
manufacturers provide heated belt conveyors for polyolefm films. Live rollers are most
often used for polyolefin films that require significant air turbulence. Mesh conveyors
(teflon or stainless steel) are also utilized by some manufacturers and are optimal for
light, unstable or thin products that may slip between rollers.
The optimal shrink tunnel for a product should consider the
packaging quality required, the tunnel opening size (width and height), chamber size
(internal dimensions), conveyor length, production speeds desired and the type of film to
be used.
Seal height position adjustment (seal tray height or
take-away conveyor height adjustment) ensures that the seal is properly placed (centered)
on the package - allowing for product height flexibility on the machine for a range of
products.
Power take-away conveyors Power take-away conveyors automatically transfer the
product into the shrink tunnel after sealing is complete.
Film clamps Film clamps are used on semi and automatic L-sealers
to hold the film in position during the sealing cycle.
When shrinking film around a product, the air within the film
envelope expands and causes the film to "balloon" around the product. Air
venting devices are required to ensure proper shrinkage by allowing air to escape from the
product. Residual air, left unreleased because air holes were insufficient, could
eventually cause the seals to burst or may leave the air trapped within the package; after
the air cools and/or escapes, the film will appear as though it has not been completely
shrunk or has relaxed. In some extreme cases when there are too many air evacuation holes
or where poor seals occur, the air escapes too rapidly and the film may have ineffective
shrink (excessive wrinkles). Typical devices include thermal, electric, pneumatic and
rotary mechanical perforators.
AUTOMATIC, HORIZONTAL, FORM, FILL, SEAL EQUIPMENT
Automatic form/fill/seal equipment is
designed for high-speed packaging (50 to 200 packages per minute). Product is fed
into a flighted or belted in-feed where it is fed into a horizontal tube of film which is
formed by a forming shoe with singlewound film. The edges of the film are overlapped and
bonded electrostatically or thermally. Both product and film are advanced by a vacuum belt
into a continuous motion cross seal. The primary advantages of using this type of
equipment is the lack of film scrap and the less expensive singlewound film.

Recently, automatic side sealing equipment has become
quite popular. Product is fed into a flighted or belted infeed where it is fed into a
horizontal tube of film which is formed by an inverted film forming plow (or similar
system) with centerfolded or singlewound film (coming off of a centerfolding device). A
side seal system uses wires, ribbons and other thermal devices to weld the seal along the
open centerfolded edge in the machine direction. Hot knives or seal wires upstream
complete the package with transverse seals. The primary advantage to this type of system
is its moderate range speeds (usually to 60 packages per minute) and its rapid change over
which accommodates a wide range of products.
A shrink tunne A shrink tunnel is used to shrink films that have been
sealed around a particular product. Oriented film retains a thermal memory. The maximum
amount of shrink which can be achieved is directly related to the degree of stretch which
is induced during orientation. All oriented films shrink at temperatures near their
melting points. Precise tunnel temperature, air velocity, and conveyor speed control are
necessary to achieve optimum package appearance without scorching.
Polyolefin films Polyolefin films (CRYOVAC) require both heat and air
velocity for shrinkage. Additionally, the direction and velocity of aim a shrink tunnel
must be controlled to shrink polyolefm films effectively.
Because there are many variables related to both product
shape and material, and film characteristics, it becomes important to understand the
shrink tunnel controls that affect those variables:
Package Size
Type of Film
Package Color and Texture
Ambient Condition
Tunnel Efficiency
Conveyor Speed
Tunnel Temperature
Air velocity
Production Speed (packages per minute)
Adjustable air temperature controllers provide heat energy that is necessary to influence the films thermal memory
(shrinkage). Too little heat will not induce enough shrinkage. Too much heat will cause
film bum-through. Directly related to the cost of a machine (quality) are the range of
thermostatic temperature controllers. More expensive tunnels have more consistent
thermostats and controllers that produce consistent and predictable packaging results
Adjustable air flow vents control the
flow of the warm air both above and below a product, as well as the sides, where product
temperature, materials, size, color and shape create potential shrinkage problems. Air
flow patterns help to correct potential shrinkage errors.
Air velocity controls adjust the volume of
warm air (energy) that makes contact with the film. Air turbulence may allow the
temperature to be reduced so that bum-through can be reduced. Also, it may eliminate
unsightly dog ears that may exist on larger packages. Air velocity may be controlled by
adjusting the dampers for each blower or by adding more blowers to a particular tunnel.
Air velocity varies from tunnel to tunnel as does price and quality.
Adjustable conveyor speeds not only control
the speed at which a product completes shrinkage in a shrink tunnel, but also affects the
degree of film shrinkage by controlling the length of time the film is exposed to the warm
air (energy).
A variety of tunnel conveyors are available for shrink
tunnels. Dead rollers are utilized for polyethylene films that rely more on heat for
shrinkage than air velocity. Solid belt conveyors do not allow significant air flow
beneath the product and are often used for PVC and polyethylene applications. Some
manufacturers provide heated belt conveyors for polyolefm films. Live rollers are most
often used for polyolefin films that require significant air turbulence. Mesh conveyors
(teflon or stainless steel) are also utilized by some manufacturers and are optimal for
light, unstable or thin products that may slip between rollers.
The optimal shrink tunnel for a product should consider the
packaging quality required, the tunnel opening size (width and height), chamber size
(internal dimensions), conveyor length, production speeds desired and the type of film to
be used.
Power take-away conveyors automatically transfer the
product into the shrink tunnel after sealing is complete.
Film clamps Film clamps are used on semi and automatic L-sealers
to hold the film in position during the sealing cycle.
When shrinking film around a product, the air within the film
envelope expands and causes the film to "balloon" around the product. Air
venting devices are required to ensure proper shrinkage by allowing air to escape from the
product. Residual air, left unreleased because air holes were insufficient, could
eventually cause the seals to burst or may leave the air trapped within the package; after
the air cools and/or escapes, the film will appear as though it has not been completely
shrunk or has relaxed. In some extreme cases when there are too many air evacuation holes
or where poor seals occur, the air escapes too rapidly and the film may have ineffective
shrink (excessive wrinkles). Typical devices include thermal, electric, pneumatic and
rotary mechanical perforators.
AUTOMATIC, HORIZONTAL, FORM, FILL, SEAL EQUIPMENT
Automatic form/fill/seal equipment is
designed for high-speed packaging (50 to 200 packages per minute). Product is fed
into a flighted or belted in-feed where it is fed into a horizontal tube of film which is
formed by a forming shoe with singlewound film. The edges of the film are overlapped and
bonded electrostatically or thermally. Both product and film are advanced by a vacuum belt
into a continuous motion cross seal. The primary advantages of using this type of
equipment is the lack of film scrap and the less expensive singlewound film.

Recently, automatic side sealing equipment has become
quite popular. Product is fed into a flighted or belted infeed where it is fed into a
horizontal tube of film which is formed by an inverted film forming plow (or similar
system) with centerfolded or singlewound film (coming off of a centerfolding device). A
side seal system uses wires, ribbons and other thermal devices to weld the seal along the
open centerfolded edge in the machine direction. Hot knives or seal wires upstream
complete the package with transverse seals. The primary advantage to this type of system
is its moderate range speeds (usually to 60 packages per minute) and its rapid change over
which accommodates a wide range of products.
A shrink tunnel A shrink tunnel is used to shrink films that have been
sealed around a particular product. Oriented film retains a thermal memory. The maximum
amount of shrink which can be achieved is directly related to the degree of stretch which
is induced during orientation. All oriented films shrink at temperatures near their
melting points. Precise tunnel temperature, air velocity, and conveyor speed control are
necessary to achieve optimum package appearance without scorching.
Polyolefin films Polyolefin films (CRYOVAC) require both heat and air
velocity for shrinkage. Additionally, the direction and velocity of aim a shrink tunnel
must be controlled to shrink polyolefm films effectively.
Because there are many variables related to both product
shape and material, and film characteristics, it becomes important to understand the
shrink tunnel controls that affect those variables:
Package Size
Type of Film
Package Color and Texture
Ambient Condition
Tunnel Efficiency
Conveyor Speed
Tunnel Temperature
Air velocity
Production Speed (packages per minute)
Adjustable air temperature controllers provide heat energy that is necessary to influence the films thermal memory
(shrinkage). Too little heat will not induce enough shrinkage. Too much heat will cause
film bum-through. Directly related to the cost of a machine (quality) are the range of
thermostatic temperature controllers. More expensive tunnels have more consistent
thermostats and controllers that produce consistent and predictable packaging results
Adjustable air flow vents control the
flow of the warm air both above and below a product, as well as the sides, where product
temperature, materials, size, color and shape create potential shrinkage problems. Air
flow patterns help to correct potential shrinkage errors.
Air velocity controls adjust the volume of
warm air (energy) that makes contact with the film. Air turbulence may allow the
temperature to be reduced so that bum-through can be reduced. Also, it may eliminate
unsightly dog ears that may exist on larger packages. Air velocity may be controlled by
adjusting the dampers for each blower or by adding more blowers to a particular tunnel.
Air velocity varies from tunnel to tunnel as does price and quality.
Adjustable conveyor speeds not only control
the speed at which a product completes shrinkage in a shrink tunnel, but also affects the
degree of film shrinkage by controlling the length of time the film is exposed to the warm
air (energy).
A variety of tunnel conveyors are available for shrink
tunnels. Dead rollers are utilized for polyethylene films that rely more on heat for
shrinkage than air velocity. Solid belt conveyors do not allow significant air flow
beneath the product and are often used for PVC and polyethylene applications. Some
manufacturers provide heated belt conveyors for polyolefm films. Live rollers are most
often used for polyolefin films that require significant air turbulence. Mesh conveyors
(teflon or stainless steel) are also utilized by some manufacturers and are optimal for
light, unstable or thin products that may slip between rollers.
The optimal shrink tunnel for a product should consider the
packaging quality required, the tunnel opening size (width and height), chamber size
(internal dimensions), conveyor length, production speeds desired and the type of film to
be used.
Film clamps are used on semi and automatic L-sealers
to hold the film in position during the sealing cycle.
When shrinking film around a product, the air within the film
envelope expands and causes the film to "balloon" around the product. Air
venting devices are required to ensure proper shrinkage by allowing air to escape from the
product. Residual air, left unreleased because air holes were insufficient, could
eventually cause the seals to burst or may leave the air trapped within the package; after
the air cools and/or escapes, the film will appear as though it has not been completely
shrunk or has relaxed. In some extreme cases when there are too many air evacuation holes
or where poor seals occur, the air escapes too rapidly and the film may have ineffective
shrink (excessive wrinkles). Typical devices include thermal, electric, pneumatic and
rotary mechanical perforators.
AUTOMATIC, HORIZONTAL, FORM, FILL, SEAL EQUIPMENT
Automatic form/fill/seal equipment is
designed for high-speed packaging (50 to 200 packages per minute). Product is fed
into a flighted or belted in-feed where it is fed into a horizontal tube of film which is
formed by a forming shoe with singlewound film. The edges of the film are overlapped and
bonded electrostatically or thermally. Both product and film are advanced by a vacuum belt
into a continuous motion cross seal. The primary advantages of using this type of
equipment is the lack of film scrap and the less expensive singlewound film.

Recently, automatic side sealing equipment has become
quite popular. Product is fed into a flighted or belted infeed where it is fed into a
horizontal tube of film which is formed by an inverted film forming plow (or similar
system) with centerfolded or singlewound film (coming off of a centerfolding device). A
side seal system uses wires, ribbons and other thermal devices to weld the seal along the
open centerfolded edge in the machine direction. Hot knives or seal wires upstream
complete the package with transverse seals. The primary advantage to this type of system
is its moderate range speeds (usually to 60 packages per minute) and its rapid change over
which accommodates a wide range of products.
A shrink tunnel A shrink tunnel is used to shrink films that have been
sealed around a particular product. Oriented film retains a thermal memory. The maximum
amount of shrink which can be achieved is directly related to the degree of stretch which
is induced during orientation. All oriented films shrink at temperatures near their
melting points. Precise tunnel temperature, air velocity, and conveyor speed control are
necessary to achieve optimum package appearance without scorching.
Polyolefin films Polyolefin films (CRYOVAC) require both heat and air
velocity for shrinkage. Additionally, the direction and velocity of aim a shrink tunnel
must be controlled to shrink polyolefm films effectively.
Because there are many variables related to both product
shape and material, and film characteristics, it becomes important to understand the
shrink tunnel controls that affect those variables:
Package Size
Type of Film
Package Color and Texture
Ambient Condition
Tunnel Efficiency
Conveyor Speed
Tunnel Temperature
Air velocity
Production Speed (packages per minute)
Adjustable air temperature controllers provide heat energy that is necessary to influence the films thermal memory
(shrinkage). Too little heat will not induce enough shrinkage. Too much heat will cause
film bum-through. Directly related to the cost of a machine (quality) are the range of
thermostatic temperature controllers. More expensive tunnels have more consistent
thermostats and controllers that produce consistent and predictable packaging results
Adjustable air flow vents control the
flow of the warm air both above and below a product, as well as the sides, where product
temperature, materials, size, color and shape create potential shrinkage problems. Air
flow patterns help to correct potential shrinkage errors.
Air velocity controls adjust the volume of
warm air (energy) that makes contact with the film. Air turbulence may allow the
temperature to be reduced so that bum-through can be reduced. Also, it may eliminate
unsightly dog ears that may exist on larger packages. Air velocity may be controlled by
adjusting the dampers for each blower or by adding more blowers to a particular tunnel.
Air velocity varies from tunnel to tunnel as does price and quality.
Adjustable conveyor speeds not only control
the speed at which a product completes shrinkage in a shrink tunnel, but also affects the
degree of film shrinkage by controlling the length of time the film is exposed to the warm
air (energy).
A variety of tunnel conveyors are available for shrink
tunnels. Dead rollers are utilized for polyethylene films that rely more on heat for
shrinkage than air velocity. Solid belt conveyors do not allow significant air flow
beneath the product and are often used for PVC and polyethylene applications. Some
manufacturers provide heated belt conveyors for polyolefm films. Live rollers are most
often used for polyolefin films that require significant air turbulence. Mesh conveyors
(teflon or stainless steel) are also utilized by some manufacturers and are optimal for
light, unstable or thin products that may slip between rollers.
The optimal shrink tunnel for a product should consider the
packaging quality required, the tunnel opening size (width and height), chamber size
(internal dimensions), conveyor length, production speeds desired and the type of film to
be used.
A shrink tunnel is used to shrink films that have been
sealed around a particular product. Oriented film retains a thermal memory. The maximum
amount of shrink which can be achieved is directly related to the degree of stretch which
is induced during orientation. All oriented films shrink at temperatures near their
melting points. Precise tunnel temperature, air velocity, and conveyor speed control are
necessary to achieve optimum package appearance without scorching.
Polyolefin films Polyolefin films (CRYOVAC) require both heat and air
velocity for shrinkage. Additionally, the direction and velocity of aim a shrink tunnel
must be controlled to shrink polyolefm films effectively.
Because there are many variables related to both product
shape and material, and film characteristics, it becomes important to understand the
shrink tunnel controls that affect those variables:
Package Size
Type of Film
Package Color and Texture
Ambient Condition
Tunnel Efficiency
Conveyor Speed
Tunnel Temperature
Air velocity
Production Speed (packages per minute)
Adjustable air temperature controllers provide heat energy that is necessary to influence the films thermal memory
(shrinkage). Too little heat will not induce enough shrinkage. Too much heat will cause
film bum-through. Directly related to the cost of a machine (quality) are the range of
thermostatic temperature controllers. More expensive tunnels have more consistent
thermostats and controllers that produce consistent and predictable packaging results
Adjustable air flow vents control the
flow of the warm air both above and below a product, as well as the sides, where product
temperature, materials, size, color and shape create potential shrinkage problems. Air
flow patterns help to correct potential shrinkage errors.
Air velocity controls adjust the volume of
warm air (energy) that makes contact with the film. Air turbulence may allow the
temperature to be reduced so that bum-through can be reduced. Also, it may eliminate
unsightly dog ears that may exist on larger packages. Air velocity may be controlled by
adjusting the dampers for each blower or by adding more blowers to a particular tunnel.
Air velocity varies from tunnel to tunnel as does price and quality.
Adjustable conveyor speeds not only control
the speed at which a product completes shrinkage in a shrink tunnel, but also affects the
degree of film shrinkage by controlling the length of time the film is exposed to the warm
air (energy).
A variety of tunnel conveyors are available for shrink
tunnels. Dead rollers are utilized for polyethylene films that rely more on heat for
shrinkage than air velocity. Solid belt conveyors do not allow significant air flow
beneath the product and are often used for PVC and polyethylene applications. Some
manufacturers provide heated belt conveyors for polyolefm films. Live rollers are most
often used for polyolefin films that require significant air turbulence. Mesh conveyors
(teflon or stainless steel) are also utilized by some manufacturers and are optimal for
light, unstable or thin products that may slip between rollers.
The optimal shrink tunnel for a product should consider the
packaging quality required, the tunnel opening size (width and height), chamber size
(internal dimensions), conveyor length, production speeds desired and the type of film to
be used.
Polyolefin films (CRYOVAC) require both heat and air
velocity for shrinkage. Additionally, the direction and velocity of aim a shrink tunnel
must be controlled to shrink polyolefm films effectively.
Because there are many variables related to both product
shape and material, and film characteristics, it becomes important to understand the
shrink tunnel controls that affect those variables:
Package Size
Type of Film
Package Color and Texture
Ambient Condition
Tunnel Efficiency
Conveyor Speed
Tunnel Temperature
Air velocity
Production Speed (packages per minute)
Adjustable air temperature controllers provide heat energy that is necessary to influence the films thermal memory
(shrinkage). Too little heat will not induce enough shrinkage. Too much heat will cause
film bum-through. Directly related to the cost of a machine (quality) are the range of
thermostatic temperature controllers. More expensive tunnels have more consistent
thermostats and controllers that produce consistent and predictable packaging results
Adjustable air flow vents control the
flow of the warm air both above and below a product, as well as the sides, where product
temperature, materials, size, color and shape create potential shrinkage problems. Air
flow patterns help to correct potential shrinkage errors.
Air velocity controls adjust the volume of
warm air (energy) that makes contact with the film. Air turbulence may allow the
temperature to be reduced so that bum-through can be reduced. Also, it may eliminate
unsightly dog ears that may exist on larger packages. Air velocity may be controlled by
adjusting the dampers for each blower or by adding more blowers to a particular tunnel.
Air velocity varies from tunnel to tunnel as does price and quality.
Adjustable conveyor speeds not only control
the speed at which a product completes shrinkage in a shrink tunnel, but also affects the
degree of film shrinkage by controlling the length of time the film is exposed to the warm
air (energy).
A variety of tunnel conveyors are available for shrink
tunnels. Dead rollers are utilized for polyethylene films that rely more on heat for
shrinkage than air velocity. Solid belt conveyors do not allow significant air flow
beneath the product and are often used for PVC and polyethylene applications. Some
manufacturers provide heated belt conveyors for polyolefm films. Live rollers are most
often used for polyolefin films that require significant air turbulence. Mesh conveyors
(teflon or stainless steel) are also utilized by some manufacturers and are optimal for
light, unstable or thin products that may slip between rollers.
The optimal shrink tunnel for a product should consider the
packaging quality required, the tunnel opening size (width and height), chamber size
(internal dimensions), conveyor length, production speeds desired and the type of film to
be used.
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