Shrink Tunnel Machine - Salient Features and Advantages

The need for extra precaution and hygiene in the food industry is highly imperative to avoid contamination and spoilage. But there are times when, despite maintaining stringent hygienic practices, the food has a chance of contamination because of its packaging.

Shrink tunnel machines were created to control contamination and maintain the quality and freshness of food items within their packaging. Developed by shrink tunnel machine manufacturers in India, these shrink wrap machines package an article in a sleeve or envelope of plastic film, which is then shrunk by heat to decompress the packet.

The machines are available in both automatic and semi-automatic models, and along with keeping the food item contamination-free, this wrapping also cuts down on the cost of secondary wrapping without being touched by hands.

Salient Features of the Shrink Tunnel Machine

• The machine comprises a stainless steel finned tubular heater that transfers the highest heat with minimal power consumption.
• The temperature can be controlled as per the requirements of the amount of heat supplied.
• A heavy-duty blower delivers better packaging quality by transferring an adequate amount of heat.
• The machine panel is insulated by a premium-quality insulating material known as rock wool.
• The conveyor rods are coated with silicone tubes that pass through the hot shrink tunnel.
• The machine works by controlling long atoms known as polymers, which are found in plastic, and the heat repositions these atoms into forming a decompressed, clinging packaging around the item.
• Polyvinyl shrink wrap films are stronger than supreme quality PVC shrink wrap.
• Polyolefin shrink is better than PVC for its higher resistance to tearing and its less harmful impact on the environment, as it does not exude toxic fumes during the sealing process.
• Different sizes and powers of shrink tunnel machines are available for you to choose from per your requirements.

Advantages of the shrink tunnel machine

1. Customer-friendly: The shrink tunnel machine manufacturers have designed the machine in stainless steel to be customer-friendly in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The steel body offers maximum hygiene and also lasts longer, requiring minimal maintenance as it is resistant to rust, corrosion, and wear and tear by chemical and atmospheric agents.
2. Models available as per requirements: The machines are available in various models to fulfill all kinds of packaging needs, whether large or small.
3. Suitable for all enterprises: Initially, the machine was primarily used by small enterprises, but with advanced technology, it can easily be incorporated into medium- to large-scale assembly line productions and set-ups.
4. Fast production: Due to the thermal insulation of the machine panel in the shrink chamber, the process is fast with high passage and shrinking speeds, resulting in the production of a large number of pieces per minute. The speeded process does not compromise the quality of the sealing in any way, and neither does it reduce the tear resistance of the shrink material.
5. Maintain hygiene and quality: The shrink wraps seal and protects the item to keep out the induction of light and dampness during transit.
6. Self-cooling: The shrink tunnel manufacturers build the machine with a self-cooling mechanism, which adds to the efficiency and evenness of the sealing.
7. Multiple uses: Shrink wrapping is the best packaging for non-perishable items like compact discs, along with perishable and delicate items like food and drugs or pharmaceutical products. The process is also used in the bottling industry for packaging plastic bottles to protect the plastic body from breakage or perforation.
8. Economical packaging: Polyvinyl or polyolefin shrink wrapping is a very economical packaging solution compared to other types of packaging. The thinness of the shrink wrap film does not undermine its strength and resistance to tear, and thus it is considered one of the best packaging and wrapping solutions in the world.
9. Automatic machines: While the semi-automatic shrink wrap machines require manual intervention, the fully automatic machines are operated by a logic control system that is programmed and monitored via a touch screen panel that is integrated into the electrical cabinet.
10. Adjustable height: The machines are designed to adjust their height as per the requirements of the unit and can be directly attached to the conveyor belts at the end of the production line upon height adjustment, making the entire production process seamless until the end of packaging.