What you need to know! - MacKenzie and Partners Inc. - Packing Films, Systems and Solutions

Shrink-wrapping has been part of the landscape since the 1950's, it is one of the most versatile means of protecting, enhancing and producing cost effective packaging that has ever been invented. In order to shrink wrap a product properly there are five physical issues that must take place; heat, time and pressure to seal the product to be wrapped in a shrinkable film and heat and time to ensure the best possible shrinking of the film in the tunnel. Take away any of the five ingredients and you will not succeed in getting an optimum package.

Shrink-wrap machines (sealers) can be divided into several types based on performance - performance in shrink-wrapping usually pertains to wrapping speed.

Lets look at the process and the key to where to find the product that best suits your need.

Function	Operator Required	PPM	Shrink Film	Go to
Manual	Yes	2-3	Any	Traco Heat Seal
Semi Automatic	Yes	5-10	Any	Heat Seal Damark
Automatic L-Bar	Maybe	25-45	Polyolefin PVC	Heat Seal Damark Texwrap
Form, Fill and Seal	Maybe	45-60	Polyolefin	Ameripak Damark Texwrap
Form, Fill and Seal	No	60-150	Polyolefin	Ameripak, Texwrap

Once you have decided on the speed that you need, you must then consider the appropriate tunnel or heating mechanism in order to shrink the package. The higher the speed required the bigger the tunnel requirement in terms of overall chamber size and wattage. Always remember when you are dealing with shrink-wrap you have to shrink the product adequately in order to get the look you want. The single biggest mistake made, is purchasing an undersized tunnel for your needs.

PLEASE GO TO SHRINK WRAP FILMS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

MacKenzie and Partners Inc. - Packing Films, Systems and Solutions