About shrink wrapping machines

Shrink wrapping is a process that uses temperature-sensitive films. When heat is applied, the film contracts tightly around the product. Shrink film wrapping machines are available for a wide range of product sizes and in both automatic and semi-automatic versions.

The flexibility and many advantages of shrink wrap make it suitable for a broad range of products and materials.

Shrink wrap offers essential protection against dust, moisture, and dirt. This is important for all products and especially vital for food and pharmaceutical items. Thanks to the secure seal, fully shrink-wrapped products remain in optimal condition for longer than if exposed to air.

Shrink wrap is generally stronger than overwrapping or stretch wrapping. The film is typically made from polyolefin, PVC, polyethylene, or polypropylene. It is available in various strengths, thicknesses, and levels of clarity, making it suitable for different products depending on weight, required protection, and light sensitivity.

Shrink wrap also maintains its shape well, ensuring products always look presentable—an important factor for consumer goods. It also provides clear evidence of any tampering, which is crucial for cheese, meats, ready meals, pharmaceuticals, bundles of currency, or sensitive documents.

Shrink wrap is more space-efficient than cardboard or plastic, taking up no more room in storage, transport, or on the shelf than the product itself. It is lighter, making handling and transport easier and less expensive. It is suitable for products or groups of products of all shapes and sizes, and is commonly used for multipacks of bottles or cans, or for combining products.

Shrink wrapping machines price

The price of a shrink wrapping machine depends on several factors, including the type of machine required. Prices for shrink wrapping machines range from around 1,800 EUR to 29,000 EUR. The cost is influenced by the type of shrink wrapping machine, the output rate per minute, whether a shrink tunnel is included, and the size of the sealing area. Another important factor is whether the shrink wrapping machine is equipped with a powerful motor and its specification.

Types of shrink film wrapping machine

L-sealer shrink wrapping machines

L-sealing shrink film wrapping machines are ideal for smaller products. A heated arm moves up and down as items pass underneath, sealing the shrink film around each product. This ensures the correct amount of film is applied every time.

Automatic side seal shrink film wrapping machines

Automatic side seal shrink wrapping machines are high-speed, continuous-motion packagers. A conveyor carries products through the machine while mechanical arms trim and seal the shrink film. The continuous operation allows for faster packaging, and in-feed systems ensure the correct amount of film is used.

Shrink tunnels

Shrink tunnels are central to shrink wrap systems. They transport products along a conveyor while maintaining a consistent temperature, ensuring even application of the shrink film around the entire product.

How do shrink wrapping machines work?

The operation of a shrink wrapping machine depends on its type. The three main types are chamber sealers, L-sealers, and side sealers.

A chamber sealer places the product and shrink film into a compartment, or chamber, where the film is prepared to wrap the product. The chamber is heated, causing the film to contract and form a protective layer around the item. The duration of this process depends on the thickness of the film.

L-type machines with a tunnel are designed for higher volumes, as the process of wrapping products in film is faster. A more economical option is an L-type machine with a chamber, where the entire shrinking process takes place within the chamber.

The L-type machine with a tunnel uses two sealing bars arranged in an L-shape. The shrink film is folded along these bars to create a pocket for the product. Once the product is placed in the fold, the remaining three sides of the film are sealed. After the product is fully inside the machine, the wrapping process begins. The product is then usually conveyed into a tunnel, where heat is applied to shrink the film tightly around it.

Side sealers are the fastest and most adaptable option for packaging high volumes of items. These machines enclose products in a continuous tube of film, sealing one side and then separating each unit downstream with a cross seal. Side sealers are typically available in two main designs: two-belt and three-belt configurations. A two-belt side sealer is more compact—only a little larger than an L-sealer—and omits one infeed belt, making the end seal before the side seal. This design is ideal for wrapping longer products where production line space is limited. Three-belt side sealers are slightly larger and offer the added benefit of accurately spacing products before they enter the wrapping section.

What are the benefits of Shrink Wrapping machines?

Another significant benefit is that shrink wrapping machines and materials are comparatively economical. Smaller businesses and operations can use basic shrink wrapping machines with a modest investment, choosing either manual or semi-automatic operation. A larger investment enables fully automatic systems, reducing labour requirements and eliminating repetitive manual tasks.

Enhanced Shrink Wrap Efficiency

Shrink film wrapping machines offer a fast and efficient alternative to manually shrinking products. In the past, staff would spend considerable time using handheld heat guns to shrink packaging. With shrink tunnel technology, the process is streamlined. Products move through the tunnel on a conveyor, ensuring an even shrink. This hands-free method increases throughput and speeds up packing times.

Eliminate the Danger of Burns and Fires

Handheld heat guns, often powered by propane, can be hazardous. Operating at temperatures above 600 degrees Celsius, these tools can cause severe burns or even fires. Shrink wrapping machines remove these risks by containing the heat within the machine. Shrink tunnels feature protected openings and safety mechanisms to help prevent injuries and reduce fire hazards.

Shrink Wrapping Machines Have a Compact Design

Reclaim your workspace. Shrink wrapping equipment can take up less floor space than other containment solutions. The system comprises two main parts: the sealer and the shrink tunnel. These can be positioned side by side or further apart, depending on your available space.

Space savings are not limited to the machines themselves. Often, the products being shrink wrapped are reduced in size, freeing up additional storage space. This can lead to direct cost savings by allowing more goods to be shipped at once, lowering freight expenses.

How Does Shrink Wrapping Operate?

Many people do not consider how a shrink wrapping machine functions or how the film ends up tightly sealed around a product. The process involves manipulating polymer molecules—long chains found in plastics. In their natural state, these molecules are twisted and disordered, making them unsuitable for wrapping. When manufactured into shrink film, the molecules are stretched straight into a thin layer, ideal for wrapping products.

The film is then placed around the item to be wrapped. When heat is applied, the film contracts as the polymers return to their original tangled state. The degree of shrinkage depends on the type of polymer: PVC shrink film can shrink by up to 50 percent of its original size, while polyolefin shrink film shrinks slightly less but provides stronger seals than PVC.