Choosing the Right Shrink Packaging Machine
Whether you’re wrapping books, magazines or frames, a shrink packaging machine will help you produce clean, attractive packages for your products. Choosing the right model will ensure your product is safe and secure for shipping.
The biggest deciding factor in selecting the right machine is the size of the items you want to encase. Consider your production volume and the maximum dimensions of each item you wish to package.
Versatility
A shrink wrap machine is a great solution for packing a wide variety of products. The machine encases your product in plastic film and applies heat to the film, which causes it to shrink around your product. This creates a strong seal that protects your product from moisture, dirt, and tampering. It also provides added security by preventing potential theft. The process is quick and easy, allowing you to produce a large number of packages at once.
Depending on the type of packaging you need, different machines have varying capabilities and dimensions. For instance, some are limited by the maximum size of the item they can encase, while others have mechanical limits on their length and height. For example, an automatic L-sealer features two sealing bars in the shape of a backward “L.” The machine wraps your product in this shape and then folds the two sides to form pouch-like openings.
For a more advanced option, you can choose a machine with an L-bar impulse heat sealer that seals and cuts your film in one operation. This type of sealer can be used with either imported or home-made film, and it features an adjustable film dispense and separator for flexibility. The machine also has a dual reel holder, allowing you to use two different types of films simultaneously. After the sealing and cutting cycle is complete, your packaged product is discharged into a shrink tunnel automatically.
Speed
The speed of a shrink packaging machine is an important consideration. A slower machine can cause delays in production, which can be costly for businesses that rely on peak outputs. Choosing the right machine can also help reduce costs by minimizing waste. An ideal machine will allow you to maximize productivity and improve efficiency without sacrificing quality or safety.
There are a few different types of shrink wrap machines on the market. Some are able to handle large formats, while others are better for smaller items. The type of shrink packaging machine shrink wrap machine you choose will depend on your business needs and budget.
A shrink wrapping machine is a device that uses heat to shrink the film around an item. The process makes products more commercially attractive and protects them from tampering and damage. Most machines are comprised of two parts: the sealer and the heat tunnel. The sealer encloses the item in plastic film, while the heat tunnel applies heat to uniformly shrink the film.
Automatic bundling shrink wrapping machines are used to pack bundles of products, such as cases of water bottles. These machines can be equipped with conveyors to handle a high volume of work. They can also be adjusted to accommodate the size of the product, which makes them ideal for mass packaging. They also have the ability to install two rolls of film at once, which saves time with each roll change.
Efficiency
The ability of a shrink wrapping machine to accommodate a wide variety of product sizes and shapes, and to seamlessly integrate with paint sprayer upstream and downstream equipment like conveyor systems, labelers, and case erectors is essential. Flexibility allows a company to scale up or down production output as needed, without creating bottlenecks.
After sealing and heating, the product moves on to a tunnel where re-circulated hot air causes the film to shrink around the package, tightly conforming it to its contours. This creates a secure, visually appealing package that protects the product and enhances brand visibility on the retail shelf. In addition, tamper-proof packaging offers a strong deterrent against fraudulent return and exchanges.
Depending on the size of the machine and the desired performance level, an auto mailer or L-bar sealer can be used to automate the sealing and shrinking process. These machines eliminate the need for manual operator involvement, reducing labor costs and improving production speed.
Regular cleaning, lubrication and inspections help maintain the integrity of the machine and reduce mechanical issues. Keeping up with maintenance ensures a high level of performance and a higher return on investment. It also helps minimize the risk of product damage and improves overall machine quality. Implementing strict safety measures and training operators to understand and adhere to machine operation and emergency procedures further mitigates risks and ensures the safety of operators.
