Shrink wrapping is one of today’s most common secondary packaging techniques. It is widely used around the world for packaging needs, including maximizing shelf appeal, protection from external factors, bundling, multi-packaging to ease transport and storage, and last but not least, tamper-proofing. This wide array of functionality makes it an excellent option for almost all industries, from food to cosmetics or even boats and construction materials.
Zhongfu Packaging are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.
Although the shrink wrapping process is relatively straightforward, many considerations go into choosing the right shrink packaging solution that best meets your needs. So, how do you identify the ideal shrink wrapping machine for your product and production needs? Here are 6 important questions and tips that will give you a head start:
What is your product? Is it a frozen pizza, a wheel rim, a cosmetic product, or a book? Do you want it to be shrink-wrapped for display or logistic purposes?
Here are a few common desired results you can expect from shrink wrapping:
The shiny outer packaging is to be noticed among other products while protecting the primary package. The use of printed film also adds the advantage of branding.
Fully closed shrink wrap protects the product against scratching during transport, water, dust, or any other unwanted external factors.
For some products, Packaging serves as proof of the first usage by the end-user. An unopened shrink wrap gives end-users the confidence to buy the product.
Do you want to group multiple products to display or logistics purposes? Is your product heavy and do you need openings on the sides of the package to easily carry by hand? Or you have a promotion and you want to put together two products that will be sold together in the supermarket?
To create an easy-to-carry package for heavy items.
The minimum and maximum dimensions of the products you will shrink wrap is the second most important question to determine in terms of identifying the right shrink wrapping machine. All packages have three dimensions, the product width, length, and height. Also, the orientation that the product will be packaged is another important data needed.
Shrink wrapping machines have limitations in terms of the maximum dimensions they can package. In the L-Sealer manual or semi-automatic machine models, this limit is decided by the size of the L bar.
In fully automatic machines, there is no limit to the product length however the product height and the width do have some mechanical limitations.
Selecting the right-sized shrink wrapper optimizes the packaging cost and production capacity. Keep in mind that the size of the shrink wrapper and heat tunnel should be able to accommodate your largest product.
The number of products you need to package daily is another critical piece of information in choosing the right shrink wrapping solution.
The capacity of shrink wrapping machines varies from Low Capacity to High Capacity and is typically measured as packages per minute and varies according to the length and the height of the product.
These are manual shrink wrapping machines that hold the capacity to produce 5 to 10 packages per minute. These machines are run by an operator whose experience level has a considerable effect on the total packaged products per minute.
Semi-Automatic L sealers fall into this category. In semi-automatic shrink wrappers, the sealing arm is automatic. This automatic motion gives the operator time to prepare the product in line for sealing. The average output expectation for semi-automatic shrink wrapping machines is anywhere from 10 to 25 packages per minute.
High capacity shrink wrapping machines are Fully Automatic Shrink Wrappers. These systems can integrate into your production line if wanted. Equipped with conveyors and multiple sensors they don’t require an operator which in return maximizes the output and saves cost. The capacity of automatic shrink wrappers is 25 to 80 packages per minute.
It’s important to take into consideration your production volume growth projections at least for the following year.
Do you want to integrate the shrink wrapping station into your production line is another defining question you need to answer when choosing the right shrink wrapping machine. If the answer is yes, then you would require a fully automatic shrink wrapper. In an inline system, the alignment, rotation, separation, collation, upending, dividing, or even bonding of the products must be well projected initially.
If the answer is no, then a stand-alone shrink wrapping system that will be hand-fed is what you are looking into. In this case, an operator manually feeds the products to the conveyor.
This takes us to this question – What is the desired result you are aiming for with shrink wrapping? To achieve the right outcome the shrink film you choose the film with proper specifications for your product and shrink wrapper.
You can be directed to the right film by the shrink wrapper manufacturer or your film supplier. But before doing that the following information will allow you to get familiar with shrink films.
There are different types and thicknesses of shrink film and which one you need to use depends on what you want to achieve by shrink wrapping your product. If you want to package a box of chocolate to be displayed on a market shelf then preference should be a film that gives your package an extra shine making it stand out among other products. In the case, you have multiple and/or heavy products such as a pack of soft drinks or a steel spare part then you will need a film that is strong and durable.
In choosing the right shrink film the product’s shape, shrink wrapping machine being used, and temperature restrictions all play a role. It is best to get a professional opinion for your unique product before purchasing a shrink film.
Polyolefin aka POF film is preferred almost in all industries due to its versatile and environment-friendly nature. It is also safe to use for edible and non-edible products. The film is highly clear making the content of the package visible to the end-user and has a glossy appearance that makes the product presentable and attractive on the market shelf. Especially cross-linked POF film provides extra clarity and is stronger than the regular POF film. It is widely applied to products including food, toys, cosmetics, books, and stationary just being a few.
The clarity of Polyethylene shrink film is lower than POF film. It is mostly used for heavy products mostly for industrial products. It is a highly durable and strong film making it ideal for protection and transit purposes. It is also the most cost-effective Packaging material. It is widely used for packaging products such as spare parts, doors, and window frames, bundling of cans or glass jars to name a few.
PVC film is a lightweight and inexpensive film option. However, the hazardous fumes, it releases when heated making it the least ideal choice of film. However, it still finds use for industrial products.
Using the right thickness of shrink film will support you in a good-looking and functioning packaging. Also, the right shrink film will help you save money as the price of the film is defined by its width and thickness.
A labeling unit can be integrated into the shrink wrapper to add labels to the product or the package. Used to apply barcodes, product labels, etc.
Checkweighers serve as a control point to ensure the correct weight of the product being packaged. If the product is lighter or heavier than indicated it will be pushed off the line with a discarded arm.
Feeders can be used to place items on the product before it is packaged such as a sheet of paper.
Products that are found unfit by the sensors or the checkweigher are pushed off the packaging line via a discard arm for future inspection.
PPECMC Combo:
Q: How many packages per minute can I run?
A: Depending on the size of your product, you could run 6-10 packages per minute.
Q: What’s the tallest package I could run on this machine?
A: The tunnel opening is 6 inches; therefore, you shouldn’t run anything taller than 5 inches to ensure proper shrinkage.
Q: What’s the ideal temperature for the shrink tunnel?
A: It really depends on what types of shrink film, what gauge shrink film, what speed and what size product you’re running. Typically 275-300 degrees is a good temperature to start gauging from.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website automatic vertical L-Bar sealing machine.
Q: What type of plastic do I use to shrink wrap my product?
A: We suggest using Polyolefin shrink film; which you can find in the Shrink film section of our website.
Q: What size shrink film should I order?
A: That depends on the size of the product you’re running (Formula: Width + Height + 2 = Ideal Shrink Film Size. i.e. 10” width + 4” Height + 2= 14” Roll Shrink Film)
PPMK:
Q: How many packages can I seal per minute?
A: You can seal 8-10 packages per minute depending on the size of the product.
Q: What’s the largest package I can run on this machine?
A: The sealing area is 19inches wide by 22inches long, and the height can be adjusted for 6-8 inches max.
Q: Is there any regular maintenance required?
A: We suggest cleaning the sealing blade with a damp cotton cloth, while machine is turned off, at the end of each shift to ensure a clean seal.
Q: What would I use if I want to shrink wrap my product?
A: We would suggest pairing the PPMK with our PP-28MK Shrink tunnel
PPMK:
Q: What’s the difference between the PPMK and the PPMK?
A: The only difference between the PPMK and the PPMK is the sealing area; PPMK has a sealing are of 20” x 28” and the PPMK has a sealing area of 16” x 22”
Q: What power supply do I need for the PPMK?
A: You need 220V single phase 15 Amp power supply for this machine.
Q: How often do I need to replace the sealing knife?
A: That really depends on usage and maintenance. If you clean the knife on a regular basis with a damp cloth, when machine is powered off, it’ll last much longer.
Q: Do I need to order the spare parts kit with the machine?
A: It is recommended that you do order the spare parts kit with the machine to help eliminate any down time.
PPW:
Q: What’s the largest package I can seal with this machine?
A: The max sealing dimensions for this machine are: 30” W x 40” L x 10” H
Q: What shrink tunnel would work best with the PPW?
A: That really depends on the largest product you’ll be running, but ideally the PPW would work great with our PP-72 High Performance shrink tunnel
Q: Is this model available in a 110V version?
A: No, all our sealers come as 220V for better electric efficiency.
Q: Do we need an airline for this machine?
A: No airline is needed for this model, unless you order the PPWA-V Vertical seal head (typically for taller products)
PP76ST:
Q: What is the purpose of a chamber machine?
A: If you have low production and limited space, this machine is the perfect fit.
Q: What’s the largest package I can shrink with this machine?
A: The sealing dimensions for the are PP76ST: 16”x 22” L x 8” H
Q: What power supply do I need for the PP76ST?
A: You will need to have a 220V/1 Phase/20 Amp power supply to ensure proper operation.
Q: How long do I have to wait for the machine to get up to temperature?
A: Well it mostly depends on the surrounding temperature in the warehouse, but typically takes 5-10 minutes to get up to shrinking temperature.
For more Automatic Shrink Wrapping Machine Manufacturersinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.