CONTROLLED HEAT.
A CONSISTENT PACKAGING FINISH.
TM Engineering assists with heat tunnel solutions for shrink packaging applications.
A suitable tunnel combines controlled heat, product movement and the correct packaging material to achieve the required finish while fitting into the surrounding production line.
ENQUIRE ABOUT A HEAT TUNNEL →
SHRINK ISN'T
ONE PROCESS.
Shrink sleeves and shrink wrapping have different requirements. A sleeve conforms around a container, while shrink film can enclose an individual product or a grouped pack.
The heating method and tunnel arrangement must suit the film, container and contents. Excessive heat or unsuitable exposure can distort the packaging or affect the product.
SHRINK
SLEEVES
Heat is applied to shrink the sleeve around the shape of the container and achieve the intended presentation.
SHRINK
WRAPPING
Shrink film can enclose individual products or grouped packs, depending on the packaging application.
MATCH THE
HEAT EXPOSURE
Film characteristics, product contents, temperature and exposure time all influence the tunnel arrangement.
CONTROL THE HEAT.
CONTROL THE PROCESS.
The tunnel needs to work around the packaging material, product dimensions, load, line speed and the required final finish.
HEAT TUNNEL
ARRANGEMENT
Heat tunnel arrangements for suitable shrink film and shrink sleeve applications.
CONVEYOR
HANDLING
Conveyor handling selected around the product dimensions and load.
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL
Adjustable temperature settings allow the process to be configured around the selected packaging material.
CONVEYOR
SPEED
Conveyor speed helps control how long the packaging remains exposed to heat inside the tunnel.
HEAT
DISTRIBUTION
Heating method and heat distribution requirements are assessed around the packaging and intended finish.
LINE
INTEGRATION
Integration with upstream packaging equipment and downstream product handling can be considered as part of the machine layout.
THE RESULT DEPENDS ON
MORE THAN TEMPERATURE.
The final result depends on the relationship between film characteristics, heat distribution and the time spent inside the tunnel.
Product spacing and orientation also affect consistency. TM Engineering assesses tunnel clearance, conveyor speed, utility requirements and the surrounding working area.
Controls, guarding and access for maintenance form part of the machine specification. Trials with the actual packaging help establish suitable operating settings.
SEE THE PROCESS
IN ACTION.
See an example of heat tunnel and shrink-packaging equipment in operation.
HEAT.
MOVEMENT.
CONTROL.
START WITH
THE PACKAGING.
Send the product dimensions, film or sleeve specification, required output and photographs of the intended packaging finish.
Include details of heat-sensitive contents, available utilities and the space allocated to the machine.
