Shrink Wrap Machines | Shrink Wrappers | Shrink Tunnels

Industrial Shrink Wrapping Equipment

Industrial shrink wrap machinery is a versatile solution for packaging products across many industries. These machines utilize specialized films that, when exposed to heat, shrink and conform tightly to the shape of the product or bundle, creating a secure and protective package.

Beyond protection against environmental factors like dirt and moisture, shrink wrapping offers significant benefits:

• Product Protection: Guards items from damage during handling and transit.
• Bundling: Groups multiple items together efficiently for shipping, inventory, or retail sale.
• Tamper Evidence: Provides a visible indicator if a package has been opened.
• Presentation: Creates a professional look for retail display and allows for printed film for branding.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Often a more economical way to package or bundle products compared to other methods.

Choosing the right shrink wrapping equipment depends on factors such as product size, shape, required speed, and desired package style. Common types of machines address different operational needs.

Types of Shrink Wrap Machines

Shrink wrapping systems come in various configurations, each suited for specific applications. Here's a breakdown of common types:

Machine Type	Description	Typical Application	Key Feature(s)
L-Bar Sealers	Uses an L-shaped heated arm to seal film on three sides of a product.	Wrapping smaller to medium-sized individual items.	Creates a centerfold bag around the product.
I-Bar Sealers	Uses a single heated bar to seal film, often for smaller or longer items.	Wrapping long or narrow items; lower speed applications.	Single seal line.
Side Seal Wrappers	Creates a continuous seal along the side of the product using moving belts.	High-speed continuous motion wrapping; items of varying length.	Ideal for high throughput and flexibility in product length.
Shrink Tunnels	Heated chambers that products pass through on a conveyor to shrink the film.	Used in conjunction with sealers to apply heat and shrink film.	Ensures uniform heat distribution and consistent shrink.
Shrink Bundling	Applies thicker film (often LDPE) to unitize multiple products together.	Secondary packaging; grouping items on trays/pads or unsupported.	Creates robust bundles for shipping or multi-packs.
Tamper Evident / Shrink Band Applicators	Applies and often shrinks small bands or sleeves onto product closures.	Sealing bottle caps, jars, and other containers for security.	Focuses on sealing specific points, often bottle necks.

L-Bar Sealers

L-Bar sealers are widely used for packaging single items or small groups. Products are placed into folded shrink film, and the L-bar seals the film around the package while cutting it from the film roll. These machines are often paired with a shrink tunnel to complete the process.

Shrink Tunnels

A shrink tunnel is a crucial component in most automatic or semi-automatic shrink wrapping lines. It's a conveyorized oven that applies controlled heat to the film, causing it to tightly shrink around the product. Different tunnel designs exist, including radiant heat and hot air circulation, to achieve the desired shrink quality.

Shrink Bundling Machines

Shrink bundlers are designed for secondary packaging, unitizing multiple products into a single, stable bundle. This can be done with or without a tray or pad. They typically use thicker film and a bundling-specific tunnel to create strong packages for shipping or retail multi-packs.

Tamper Evident and Shrink Banding Equipment

For product security and integrity, tamper-evident band applicators and shrink sleeve labelers are used. These machines apply heat-shrinkable bands or sleeves to container closures (like bottle caps) or entire products, providing a clear visual indicator of tampering once shrunk.

Choosing the appropriate shrink wrapping equipment is vital for optimizing your packaging process, protecting your products, and meeting your business goals, whether it's increased throughput, enhanced product presentation, or improved security.