Many people understand the benefits of using shrink wrap machines to package their products, as it is a great packaging solution for anything from baked goods to mechanical gears. When companies choose shrink wrap packaging; they get protection, product display, and tamper evidence.
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When determining the best shrink wrap machine, you should consider the details of the machine and shrink film being used. These details include the gauge, size, and clarity of your shrink film, along with the shrink tunnel length, storage, environmental conditions, and packaging purpose should all factor into a machine purchase. We have a previous blog post focused on the right shrink wrap machine for your business. This post offers more detail to help make an informed purchasing decision.
Continue reading to learn the factors you should consider when choosing the best shrink wrap machine.
There are many ways businesses can wrap their products, and shrink wrapping is growing in popularity. There are several reasons why they choose this method, including the following:
1. Protection: Shrink wrapping offers protection for products. Once you apply the shrink wrap, seal the ends to create a fully enclosed package and heat the material to conform to the product. It protects products against water damage, dust, rubbing and tearing.
2. Durability: Shrink wrap protects products from rubbing during transit in palletized loads. No dirt or moisture can get inside, so it creates a durable barrier to keep products safe as they ship from warehouses or directly to customers.
3. Tamper-resistance: Another reason businesses use shrink wrapping is tamper-resistance. If anyone tampers, it is obvious and the products can be pulled before going to the customer. It also helps end-users feel confident in the purchases they make.
4. Cost-efficiency: Shrink wrapping is affordable compared to other packaging options, and it also requires less storage space and is more efficient. Products can be wrapped and labeled for pennies.
5. Convenience: You can use shrink wrapping on many different shapes and sizes of products. It can cover objects with odd shapes and protect any size of product.
6 Display: Businesses can use shrink wrapping and still display the products on shelves. The transparent film allows products to be seen before customers make a purchase.
When choosing the best shrink wrap machine for your business, selecting a suitable shrink wrap for your products is essential. Companies often choose PVC shrink wrap for everyday products, and POF is approved for direct contact with consumable items. The film thickness is rated in gauge or mil with several shrinking options available. Some POF film shrinks at low temperatures, and others require more heat for durable seals.
Shrink wrap machines come in different classifications, and different sizes are available for products that might have obscure uses. Consider the following:
1. Volume of Products: You can choose a smaller machine for smaller volumes and smaller products. These machines are affordable and work well for small eCommerce businesses and online stores. Impulse sealers, I-bar sealers, and heat guns are used for low volumes because they can all be purched with lower entry costs.
2. Full Automation: Some machines offer full automation, usually used for businesses with large scale and large production over 10,000 products daily. Full auto machines can wrap up to 30 products per minute.
3. Type of Sealers: There are three types of shrink wrap sealers: the I-bar shrink wrapper, L-bar sealer, and continuos.
The I-bar shrink wrapper is a manual device, and it uses an I-bar sealer and a feed roller. It will cut the film to size and seal the side. It works with stock bags as well. This type of shrink wrap machine can pack around 200 items a day. Single I-style sealers are used with automatic bundlers and some side seal machines.
The L-bar shrink wrapper has a square frame and a heat seal device on an L-shaped sealer. It seals two intersecting sides and works well for higher-level applications. This type of machine can do thousands of products daily with semi-auto or full automatic capabilities.
Shrink wrap tunnels are temperature controlled to heat packaging shrink film as it moves through the heated chamber. They help businesses package products more quickly. They have a conveyor system, and they are mobile. They can accommodate high volume, but they can also work for medium-sized products. Larger shrink tunnels can package tens of thousands of products daily. They are more efficient than a handheld device when you have more packages to wrap.
Businesses that do industrial-level manufacturing use larger automated machines to speed up production and increase efficiency.
Your projected output is a critical factor that will help you decide what shrink wrap machine is best for your business. Higher output levels will require more expensive machines, but it will save you money in the long run. Take a look at the best shrink wrap machines based on output levels.
If your business has low output with less than 100 products per day, you can use a hand impulse sealer and a heat gun. You can wrap your products with shrink tubing, centerfold shrink wrap, or shrink bags.
2. You will use the impulse sealer to seal open ends of the bag or film, and then the heat gun will shrink the film to match the product’s shape. Shrink bags are the most efficient type of wrap because you only need to seal one side. Low to Medium Output: Less Than 250 Products Per Day
If your business has an output of fewer than 250 products each day, you might consider using an I bar sealer. The best type of film to use with this machine is a centerfold shrink film. When you get an I-bar sealer, it comes with a centerfold roll of film, a sealing bar, film rack, heat gun, film separator, and gun rack. It is easy to use with centerfold film dispensing.
3. Medium Output: 250 to 750 Products Per Day
If your needs fall in this category, a few different shrink wrap machines will do the job. Many businesses choose the shrink chamber because it is an all-in-one machine and an affordable option. Place products in the centerfold shrink film, and the L-bar sealer will seal the open ends, and the chamber will shrink the material. The compact design is perfect for offices and tight spaces.
Another option is to use a tabletop L-bar sealer and a shrink tunnel. This approach is more efficient than the chamber. The L-bar sealer seals the open ends of the shrink film while the shrink tunnel applies heat to the film. This option can do more than 750 products a day, making it more popular with businesses looking to increase their output.
One advantage of the L-bar sealer and shrink tunnel combination is the continuous heat and motion of the shrink tunnel. The chamber always needs to reheat with a one-step machine, shrink tunnels maintain consistent heat with an adjustable speed conveyor moving products through the machine.
4. High Output: More Than 750 Products Per Day
You can also use the L-bar sealer and shrink tunnel combination unit for outputs as high as to per day. If exceeding this number, consider a fully automatic shrink wrap machine.
In addition to your output, you should consider the size of the products you are wrapping. Choose the shrink wrap machine that can accommodate your most significant products because a larger machine will do smaller products as well. Make sure that you consider your products’ length, width, and height when determining the size.
It is essential to understand the basics of shrink film. Some machines do not work well with certain types of film. Having a general knowledge will make sure your machine and materials are compatible.
Polyolefin Shrink Film
This type of film is commonly used for both edible and nonedible products. It has fewer odors, a more robust seal, and more flexible storage when sealing. In addition, it doesn’t produce hydrogen chloride gas like PVC shrink film. It is used for nearly every product type, including toys, sporting goods, food, stationery, and more. Polyolefin shrink film is available in many different options. A low-temperature film shrinks at lower temperatures, crosslinked polyolefin requires more heat, but has stronger seals. Crosslinked shrink film is the best option for fully automatic machines, and many standard polyolefin films will not work.
PVC Shrink Film
PVC or polyvinyl chloride is the third most-produced plastic in the world. It is used to package boxes, CDs, DVDs, software, and other non-edible items. It is compatible with automated machines. The drawbacks are that it can be sensitive to extreme temperatures, releasing small amounts of hydrogen chloride gas into the air. PVC shrink film is commonly used on neck banding and tamper-evident seals for bottles.
Other Types
There are other types of shrink film, including shrink sleeves and polyethylene bundling shrink film. Polyethylene is a heavier-duty shrink film that is used for large commercial items. Shrink sleeves can be made of several different materials. Some shrink sleeves require a steam tunnel to correctly shrink the sleeve to the product.
The best way to choose your shrink wrap machine is by following these steps:
Heat Shrink Wrapping-sourced: shorr
Heat shrink wrapping, also known as shrink wrapping, mainly uses the wrap films which are made of polymer plastic to tightly covers any object on the application of heat. When the shrink wrapping material is heated, and the film can shrink and fit your packaged product.
In addition to being mainly used in food and pharmaceutical industry, it can also be used in various industries such as cosmetics, beverages, toys, hardware, etc. In addition to heat shrink wrapping of small products, it can also be applied to industrial shrink wrapping purposes, such as winterizing ships, wrapping large objects, etc.
By applying the heat shrink wrapping, you can get the benefits of:
Well Protection
Well Protection-sourced: shrinkwrappingnews
The heat shrink wrapping forms a very tight seal around your products, and can help you hold the product together. This seal completely protects the contents of the shrink wrapping. Not only does it protect the contents from dust and weathering, but it also provides UV protection from the sun's harmful rays.
Good Durability
Good Durability-sourced: sontex
The heat shrink wrapping is generally made from one of three durable plastics, PVC, PP, or POF. Not only are they used to wrap food, they are also used for more advanced retail applications. Because the material is very thick and strong, it is very durable and long-lasting.
Tamper-proofing
Tamper-proofing-sourced: sontex
The heat shrink wrapping not only seals the product, but it also maintains its shape. Any tampering will affect the seal and seal quality of the shrink wrap, thereby improving your product quality and brand awareness.
Easy For Preservation
Easy For Preservation-sourced: sontex
High-quality heat shrink wrapping can hold the product in place for easy transportation and preservation. By utilizing a certain thickness of film wraps, it can preserve the product well and extend its shelf life.
ALLPACK Heat Shrink Wrapping Machine
The heat shrink wrapping machine is an easy and efficient way to secure or bundle your multiple products at once using heat using a multi-layer polymer plastic compound. It is commonly used to package software supplies, printed products, books, CDs and DVDs, food and many other consumer products.
The most common heat shrink wrapping machines are usually equipped with a heat gun or other type of heat device to apply a co-adhesive clear coating when bundling a range of your goods. The automatic heat shrink wrapping machine consists of a sealer and a heat source that allows heat to shrink the package tightly around your product.
The heat shrink wrapping machine is suitable for your various disposable products packaging. They are mainly applied in the industries, including:
Food Industry
Food Industry-sourced: vikingfoodsolutions
All kinds of snacks, biscuits, bread, candy, meat, vegetables, fruits, cakes, nuts, dry food, seafood, grain and oil products, beverages, etc. can use the heat shrink wrapping machine for packaging. It can ensure you safe packaging process without pollution, and improve the products appearance.
Beverage Industry
Beverage Industry-sourced: neopack
Most of the beverages and alcoholic drinks on the market can also be packaged using the heat shrink wrapping machine, including mineral water, honey, alcohol, soda water, carbonated drinks, juice and other liquid drinks. This packaging method can better protect your products color, taste and nutrition.
Pharmaceutical Industry
Pharmaceutical Industry-sourced: njmpackaging
The heat shrink wrapping machine has been successfully applied to major pharmaceutical enterprise groups. It can complete your shrink wrapping of various boxed tablets, capsules, bottled solid and liquid products, as well as various injections, ampoule bottles, suppositories and other products.
Daily Necessities Industry
Daily Necessities Industry-sourced: quickpak
The products that can be packaged by the heat shrink wrapping machine in the daily necessities industry include detergents, oral hygiene products, household cleaning products, etc. It can not only ensure your products integrity and non-deformation appearance, but also limit the moisture inside the products to a certain range.
Cosmetics Industry
Cosmetics Industry-sourced: hollandpkg
The heat shrink wrapping machine is also widely used in the cosmetics field, such as lipstick, perfume, shampoo, shower gel and other products. The shrink wrap can prevent your products from being affected by factors such as light and oxidation, extending the shelf life of the product, and thus improve the competitiveness.
Electronics Industry
Electronics Industry-sourced: darleepackage
In the electronics industry, the heat shrink wrapping machine is widely applied to electronic products such as computers, televisions, air conditioners, washing machines, etc., and various remote controls, electric fans, headphones, mobile phones, chargers, cameras and other equipment.
The three most common materials used for heat shrink wrapping machine are polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), and polyolefin (POF).
PVC Shrink Film
PVC Shrink Film-sourced: risingstarpack
PVC shrink film was once one of the most commonly used heat shrink wrapping materials in the world. It is lightweight, inexpensive, and versatile, but now is replaced by materials such as PE and POF. Rigid PVC is durable and can be used to your products shrink wrapping in the food and medical industries.
POF Shrink Film
POF-sourced: superbrightengineering
POF shrink film is an FDA-approved, food-safe, high-definition decorative heat shrink wrapping material. It is made from 100% recyclable material. In addition to giving your products outstanding clarity and a glossy shelf appearance, it also provides additional strength and product support.
PE/LDPE Shrink Film
PE/LDPE-sourced: yantai
PE shrink film can be used in many forms of flexible protective packaging, including heat shrink wrapping and stretch wrap. PE comes in many forms, and its LDPE form is well suited for shrink wrapping in almost every industry. Because it can add strength and durability to heavier, larger items, such as multi-packs of beverages.
Choosing the heat shrink wrapping machine, you can get the multiple benefits of:
Versatile
Versatile-sourced: polymerall
The heat shrink wrapping machine can be applied to shrink wrapping of various containers in various industries such as pharmaceutical industry, personal care industry, home care industry, food industry, beverage industry, etc. It can not only meet the needs of bottles, cans, cartons, cups, trays, and even irregular shaped containers.
Cost Effective
Cost Effective-sourced: TODAYMACH
The shrink wrap is a relatively low-cost and affordable packaging material. The heat shrink wrapping machine can provide you with different packaging forms. Not only can it be used as a single machine, it can also be connected with other equipment to form a complete shrink wrapping and packaging line.
Sustainability
Sustainability-sourced: agnext
The heat shrink wrapping machine uses 100% recyclable films. Using more sustainable packaging methods can greatly improve the development of your company.
The choice of different heat shrink wrapping machines determines the efficiency of your shrink wrapping and the cost. They are divided into three types depending on the working automation and output rate.
Manual type with low output for beginner:
I-Bar Shrink Wrapping Machine With Heat Gun
I-Bar Shrink Wrapping Machine With Heat Gun-sourced: lovesivs
The I-bar shrink wrapping machine with heat gun is suitable for shrink packaging of small items like books, cosmetics, beverage, etc. Equipped with a sealer and round wire, it can be used for shrink films cutting and sealing. It mainly consists of a timer, a heat gun holder, a film, a roller, a film separator, and a sliding cutter.
Semi-automatic type with medium output:
L-Seal Heat Shrink Wrapping Machine
ALLPACK L-Seal Heat Shrink Wrapping Machine
The L-seal heat shrink wrapping machine combines functions of sealing and shrinking packaging. Through the transparent cover, the whole process of sealing, cutting and shrinking process are clear for your glance. This heat shrink wrapping machine is suitable for heat shrink films such as PVC, POF, PP, etc.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Heat Shrink Wrap Pallet Machine. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
It is widely used in the outer shrink packaging of various products such as food, beverages, medicines, DVDs, hardware, cosmetics, books, toys, electronic products, etc.
Heat Shrink Tunnel
ALLPACK Heat Shrink Tunnel
The heat shrink tunnel is ideal for sealing, packaging and shrink wrapping your larger products such as large boxes of beverages, wine boxes, express boxes, etc. It can accommodate faster speeds and longer shrink times or films that require lower shrink temperatures.
With a high-performance tunnel design, this heat shrink tunnel can optimize the airflow in the tunnel to ensure more precise temperature and speed control.
Automatic type for high output:
Automatic Heat Shrink Wrapping Machine
Automatic Heat Shrink Wrapping Machine-sourced: rypacker
The automatic heating shrink wrapping machine can complete film stretching, bag making, sealing, cutting, conveying and heat shrinkage, which can provide you customized packaging scheme according to customer requirements.
It is suitable for large quantity shrink wrapping industries such as stationery, food, cosmetic, metal industries, etc. This shrink wrapping machine can be connected with the production line, and no need additional operators.
The heat shrink wrapping machine has different components for different functions. There are the different main parts from different types of heat shrink wrapping machine.
Components Of I-Bar Shrink Wrapping Machine With Heat Gun
Components Of I-Bar Shrink Wrapping Machine With Heat Gun-sourced: lovesivs
Heat Gun
The heat gun with dual high temperature heating wires, can heat up quickly without preheating. It can easily heat and shrink your packaging film of various products. The temperature can be adjusted for the heating and shrinking of packaging film according to your packaging film type and product type.
Controller
When your products are wrapped with shrink film, you can manual make use of the controller to cut the roll film according to your requirements. The small and flexible design makes it easy for you to control and use.
Film Holder
The film holder can fix the roll film you need on the roller. By stretching the shrink films, you can wrap the product with the roll film on the roller easily and then cut it with the blade.
Fuse Wire
The fuse wire can safely protect your product cutting and heat shrinking of the wrapping film. When the temperature exceeds the set temperature, the fuse wire will automatically melt to protect your products and equipment from high temperature damage.
Silicone Strip
With good elasticity and softness, the silicone strip plays a good buffering role when cutting shrink film wrap. At the same time, it can also protect your blade from damage.
Components Of L-Seal Heat Shrink Wrapping Machine
Components Of ALLPACK L-Seal Heat Shrink Wrapping Machine
Control Panel
The independent control panel is easy for you to operate with high quality digital display temperature control, and it is quick and easy to set the temperature automatically that saves your energy. The control panel can help you with all power switch setting, sealing time setting, and feeding length setting.
Transparent Cover
The transparent cover is easy and simple for your inspection with good sealing effect. Made of high quality plastic material, it can provide your products a closed space for heat shrink wrapping which is durable.
Bracket
The bracket can be adjusted according to product size which can help you apply the heat shrink wrapping for more product types.
Heating Wire
The heating wire is controlled by the electricity that can offer you the instant heat sealing and cutting without any trace. It can offer your products with good appearacne for better display and shrink wrapping.
Magnet
The magnet can help firmly suck the transparent cover to prevent the temperature of the shrinking chamber from leaking, which effectively improves the working efficiency of the shrink wrapping machine.
Shrink Film Wheel
The shrink film wheel, also called as shrink film roller, it can hold the shrink film for your easy use, and separate the two layers of the double-layer film by passing through the middle of the double-layer film to prevent the shrink film from sticking together.
Components Of Automatic Heat Shrink Wrapping Machine
Components Of Automatic Heat Shrink Wrapping Machine-sourced: rypacker
Operating Panel For Sealing
The operating panel for sealing easy for you to make setting, checking the running status and errors with the sealing system with solved solutions on it.
Operating Panel For Tunnel
The operating panel for tunnel is convenient for you to control the shrinking temperature and time for your products.
Emergency Stop
The emergency stop switch in side sealer of automatic heat shrink wrapping machine can help you stop the whole working process during operation if there are any emergencies. This design is for coping with emergencies.
Protection Photo-electricity
There are 2pcs of protection photo-electricity for protecting workers or products damage when machine went wrong action. The shrink wrapping machine will stop working immediately after the photo-electrity got signal if there are workers or products damage.
L-Bar Sealing System
The L-bar sealing system is capable of performing smooth and firm sealing line for your various products with safety protection and alarm system attached. It can effectively prevent products from being sealed by mistake.
Visible Window
The visible window is simple and clear for your inspection of products shrinkage.
Shrink Tunnel
The heating tunnel uses high-temperature resistance material covering the conveyor rollers, which is better for your products transporting without plastic sticker and stable.
Waste Film Collection System
There are waste films which can be collected by the waste film collection system.
Place your products on the conveyor system, which moves it to the packaging area;
The conveyor system usually consists of belts or rollers, and its speed can be adjusted to accommodate your products of different sizes and shapes;
Set a roll of shrink wrap film on the reel and pulled under the sealing strip. After wrapping your product, all edges are sealed using the sealing strip;
The sealed product is then fed into the hot air system, which will heat your film by blowing hot air at it;
The heat sealing system uses a heating element to directly heat the film;
Once the film is heated, it begins to shrink. The speed and degree of film shrinkage depends on the heat you applied, as well as the material and thickness of the film;
The film shrinks first from the sides of the packaging machine and then extends to the top and bottom of the product;
When the film is fully shrunk and conforms to the surface of your product, the packaging process is complete;
The heat shrink wrapping machine's conveyor system will move the packaged product out of the machine for further processing or shipping.
The stretch wrapping machine and heat shrink wrapping machine look very similar, but their performance is completely different.
Heat Shrink Wrapping Machine Stretch Wrapping Machine ImagesALLPACK Heat Shrink Wrapping Machine
Stretch Wrapping Machine-sourced: vestil
Explain l Wrap the product with heat shrink film and heat it to shrink the film; l Apply the plastic film to a pallet or a group of products and then wrap the product tightly; Application l Applied in various industries;l Usually used on various bulk items;
l Used for single products or small batches of products;
l Usually used for palletizing;l Put multiple items on a pallet to prevent them from moving during transportation;
l Usually used for larger goods;
Features l Strong and transparent;l Used for bulk foods, frozen foods, printed materials, etc.;
l Thicker, providing greater stretching capacity;l Used for low-end applications, replacement of corrugated paper shipping boxes, larger items, etc.;
Advantages l Approved for food contact;l Lightweight, durable, waterproof;
l Sealed, moisture-proof, impact-proof;
l Suitable for packaging of regular or irregular items;
l Durable;l Can stretch about 100-300%;
l Provides excellent stability and protection during transportation;
Disadvantages l Poor oxygen resistance; l More expensive;l Not suitable for packaging of irregular items;
Working Principle l The shrink films are loosely placed over one or more items;l When heated, they shrink to form a tight, tamper-proof protective seal around the product;
l The stretch films are able to stretch around the item;l The elastic memory of the package and its ability to adhere to itself provide a tight protective layer around the item;
As with any type of machinery, there are some common problems with shrink wrapping.
Common Shrink Wrapping Issues And Possible Fixes-sourced: maripak
Shrink Wrapping Issues Possible Reason Possible Fixes l Shrink film expansion; l Too much air is trapped in the sealed shrink film;l The shrink film is exposed to hot air after sealing;
l Purchase pre-perforated heat shrink film;l Increase the number of vent holes on the film you have already purchased;
l Slow down the conveyor speed of the heat shrink wrapping machine and shrink tunnel;
l Increase the temperature of the shrink tunnel to increase the speed at which air is exhausted from the heat shrink package;
l Dog ears on shrink wrap; l This is a common problem when shrinking packaging; l Wrap the product with fewer shrink film rolls to reduce the width of the film;l Increase the heat tunnel temperature;
l Increase the blower speed;
l Fish eyes on shrink wrap; l It is a wrinkle extending from the corner of the package; l Use smaller heat shrink wrap rolls;l Slow down the conveyor speed to allow enough time for the shrink film to heat up;
l The heat shrink film seal line is not strong; l The seal is not sealing well;l The heat shrink film seal line is not strong;
l Reduce the shrink machine hot knife temperature;l The seal line height should be in the middle of the package height;
l The seal pressure on the film is uneven, adjust the seal level, and replace damaged gaskets;
Factors such as production volume, packaging requirements, shrink wrapping machine maintenance, and budget constraints play a vital role when choosing a heat shrink wrapping machine.
Production Volume
Production Volume-sourced: dmspack
Knowing your own production level is crucial to determining what type of heat shrink wrapping machine you need. Efficiency and size are the two main factors that determine the cost of machines. By determining your own production volume and machine size, you can roughly understand the direction of your choice.
Packaging Requirements
Packaging Requirements-sourced: clysar
Figuring out the size of largest item you need for your own packaging will help you find a machine that can wrap all your products. There are three main types of shrink wrapping forms including tubes, bags, and inserts. When choosing a shrink wrapping machine, it is crucial to determine the best type of shrink wrap you needs.
Budgetary Constraints
Budgetary Constraints-sourced: vecteezy
How much does a heat shrink wrapping machine cost? This mainly depends on your own budget cost. The main components of shrink wrapping include shrink film, sealer, and heating element. The price and size of the shrink wrapper are directly related to the production level.
You may get a better understanding of the heat shrink wrapping machine through this complete guide. There is a promising future for you to invest in this type machine. And there may have a plenty choices for you in the heat shrink wrapping machine market now. If there are more you want to know, please come to us now!
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