16 Questions to Ask Before Buying an Automatic Shrink Wrap Machine
Automatic shrink wrap machines are a step up from manual or semi-auto machines. Companies using automatic machines are often packaging thousands of products daily. The initial costs are substantially more than lower volume machines. Though the capital expenditures may be higher, the efficiency will quickly pay for itself. There are always many questions when purchasing an expensive piece of machinery. Many people desire to see the machines in person or at least have products run on the machine before purchasing. We agree with that and offer in-house testing and viewing before making a purchase. Unless familiar products are being packaged, we require testing before selling a machine.
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Below are common questions asked by companies interested in an automatic shrink wrap machine.
1. What is the cost?
The cost of a fully automatic machine with accessories will be substantially more than smaller shrink wrapping machines. Many automatic machines with the right equipment can cost more than 100k. One-piece automatic machines for 30-40K will package smaller items. Like anything, you can shop and find some automatic machines for much less but question the quality and longevity of the device.
2. What size of products can the machine accommodate?
Large or small, the product size matters. There are multiple styles of auto machines; knowing the largest and smallest product being run will help determine what size and style of machine will be needed. The weight of the wrapped product is an important question to determine the proper film required in the machine.
3. Can I run samples on the machine?
Samples are strongly encouraged when purchasing an automatic shrink wrapper. Unless the machine supplier is familiar with packaging your style of products, testing should be conducted. The testing will show which machine is suitable, what shrink film is best, and if heat shrink wrapping is the right solution for the product being wrapped.
4. What additional machines or conveyors are needed?
Many auto sealers are the sealer only, a shrink tunnel will be needed to heat the film and form the material around the product. Be sure to consider a tunnel that will keep up with the speed of the sealer and fit the products being wrapped.
A powered infeed conveyor is standard for most automatic setups. The powered infeed conveyor allows the products to be placed in the production line. Conveyors come available with many different belts and options.
5. What are the electrical supply requirements?
One-piece auto machines may have one power cord versus a two-piece device that will have two lines with different power requirements. Most machines will come bare wire for hard wiring or installing a plug that matches the power supply.
It is crucial to have the correct power supply at the machine. Running long power cords will drop the electrical output at the device and cause problems. We recommend having a licensed professional install electrical plugs and properly check for the correct electrical supply to the machine.
6. How many products can the machine run per minute?
Automatic shrink wrap machines can vary in the number of products per minute. More oversized products that are longer will generally take more time to move in and out of the sealing area. Smaller products can quickly move through the machine and can be run at faster speeds.
On the low end, an automatic shrink wrap machine should be able to package at least 17-20 products per minute. Other machines are capable of higher production numbers. Some machines packaging smaller products can wrap 60-80 products per minute. The average expected speed would be between 25-40 products per minute with a fully automatic heat shrink wrapper.
7. How complicated is the machine setup?
We do not recommend ordering a fully automatic packaging line without a technician setting it up and conducting training. Adjusting the machine for each product with conveyor belts and film threading would be better for someone skilled to show how to set up the equipment properly. Once set up and training is completed, employees should know how to adjust the machine for each product and reload film as needed. We strongly urge companies not to order expensive equipment based on price with no support or technical assistance.
8. How much time does it take to adjust the machine?
Product adjustments are necessary if several sizes of products are being run. If only running one product size, skip this question and move to number 8. Some machines have manual product adjustments, consisting of crank handles to adjust the machine to fit the wrapped product. Other digital devices have product memories and automatic product adjustment to adjust the machine as needed to fit the product being wrapped.
The automatic product adjustment feature is perfect for companies wrapping dozens of different products. Each product can have a saved setting for workers to enter the right adjustment for each product. Without an auto adjustment, the sealing head, film head, conveyors, and film unwinds will need to be changed between products with significant size differences.
9. What material is recommended for use with the machine?
What type of automatic shrink wrap machine are you looking for? Different shrink materials will be needed to wrap small products, large products, heavy products, or bottles. Find out what material the shrink wrap machine uses and ensure it is readily available. Many companies get into binds when purchasing packaging machines from not knowing if the material is available from more than one source.
10. Can parts and services be found?
This should go without saying if spending tens of thousands of dollars on an automatic shrink wrapper. The availability of parts should be one of the first questions to consider. With an automated machine’s production, downtime can cost more than the part needed and eventually the device itself. Be sure replacement parts are available.
In addition to parts, look into the service available. There may be issues that come up demanding a trained technician. If that is not available, what will you do? Hire a third-party company to attempt to fix the machine? If possible, on the front end, inquire about parts and servicing for any automated packaging equipment you are planning on buying.
11. Do your products need a closing gap conveyor?
Automatic sealers will have a conveyor belt transporting products into and out of the sealer. Between the two conveyors is where the sealing bar can be found. Products with small dimensions can fall into the gap.
Closing gap conveyors are used to eliminate lost products. The closing gap allows the two conveyors to come together, momentarily closing the gap between the conveyors. It is essential when packaging small products such as cosmetics and baked goods.
12. What are payment and financing options?
You know a general idea of cost, now how to pay for it. What financing or payment options are available with the machine? Some companies require a deposit, and the remaining balance due once the machine ships. Other companies offer lease options. Users pay a monthly rate, and scheduled maintenance is also provided with some lease contracts. Find an option that fits your needs and a machine that accommodates the products and estimated production levels.
13. Can the machine be synced with an existing line?
To purchase automated equipment for end-of-the-line packaging, you should consider if the device will sync with the existing line. Does it have the right drive and program to do so? If not, can the speed be matched manually to sync with an existing line?
14. How does the machine ship?
Most automated packaging machines are not small or cheap. Some are custom and one-of-a-kind. If they become damaged in shipping, it may be months before the machine can be replaced. Determine if the machine is shipped on a dedicated load or if it will be interlined between multiple freight carriers.
In addition to the freight carrier transporting the equipment, how is it all crated and packaged? You will need a loading dock or forklift to unload the machine, but will forklift extensions be required? Will any tools be needed to uncrate or unpackage the device? These are essential questions to consider when the machine is ready to ship.
15. Where does the machine ship from?
Will the machine be shipping internationally direct to your facility? That can have delays at the port and possible damages or missing items upon arrival. If the machine is shipping domestically, will it be delivered via freight carrier or locally? Check the location and lead time to avoid disappointment and possible production loss.
16. How long will it take to receive the machine from the order date?
Most automatic shrink wrap machines are not stock items. There are times a stock option is available, but it does not happen often. If there is a lead time on the machine, find out how long the lead time is and when it would be expected in stock. Ensure you are dealing with a reputable company that accurately quotes lead times and keeps promises.
Conclusion
The difference in efficiency and output of an automatic shrink wrap machine compared to a manual or semi-auto machine is a game-changer. Many questions should be addressed along with logistics and setup issues, but a suitable machine is well worth it. Take the time to ensure you are working with the right company to fit your needs when purchasing your next automated shrink wrapper.
Choosing the Right Shrink Wrap Machine
Shrink wrap material provides moisture resistance, and scratch protection and helps protect your items from dirt and dust. It also ensures that you have a strong protective wrap on your items.
The global shrink wrapping market is growing. Estimates of an extra $415 million in growth in means it’s not going anywhere for your business.
Looking to bolster your warehouse operations with proper shrink wrap? You need to invest in a shrink wrap machine. It can give you that much-needed edge.
If you plan on adding one to your packaging station, which ones would be best for your business? What are the different types of units you can use? Which one fits your needs? What type of film should you use?
Before you choose a shrink wrap machine, choose the correct shrink film for the job.
PVC is used for everyday products.
POF is FDA approved for contact with consumable items.
Choose the mil that you need. The higher the number, the stronger the film.
Finding the Right Shrink Wrap Machine
When you look for a shrink wrap systems, there are many classifications. These depend on your needs.
Different machine sizes correspond to different products for different uses.
When picking your machines for shrink-wrap packaging, it’s crucial to factor in a few details.
First, you need to consider the volume of products that you would need to seal up. Smaller machines are great for people who need to protect a small to medium volume of products. These are there to wrap a small output every now and then.
Many of the low-volume shrink wrap machines have a modest cost, going between $200 - $500. A more premium shrink wrap machine offers a better automatic function for faster wrapping. These would be best for a small eCommerce business or online store.
The other volumetric classification of the shrink wrap machines is full automation devices. This type of machine is for large-scale, large-volume production facilities. These will be useful for packing lines with consistent sizes.
These heavy-duty, high-volume packaging machines will cost somewhere between $30,000 to $40,000. These can shrink-wrap up to 100 items or more in an hour of use, depending on the type.
There are only two primary types of shrink wrap packaging machines in the market right now. This is apart from the custom devices that many big manufacturers add in their assembly lines. These are the I-Bar Shrink Wrap Machine and the L-Bar Sealers.
The I-Bar Shrink Wrapper
Differentiating the I-Bar from the L-Bar sealer is not hard. They do the same job but have different categories of uses.
The I-Bar shrink wrap unit is a manual device that uses an I-bar sealer and a feed roller (when using centerfold film to create a custom bag). Use this machine to cut the centerfold film to your desired size and seal the side creating your custom bag. This machine also works well with stock shrink bags. You would then insert your product in the bag (stock or custom) and seal it closed. After you have the product inside the sealed bag, shrink it down with a heat gun for a snug fit. Somebody with an I-bar can seal a conservative estimate of up to 200 items a day.
Many small manufacturers use I-Bar to handle their small-volume shipments. Items with smaller sizes like figurines, toys, and gadgets need smaller packaging.
The L-Bar Shrink Wrapper
The L-Bar uses a square frame with a heat seal device on an L-shaped impulse sealer. It performs the same job as the I-bar but sealing two intersecting sides instead. These can be used for high-level applications.
Many L-bar machines are best for heavy-duty everyday use. These have a seal time of between 1 – 4 seconds. You can then use a heat gun or heat tunnel to shrink the wrapping. This machine is designed to use centerfold shrink to make custom bags.
Our recommended I-Bar Shrink Machines
The company is the world’s best Automatic l-Bar Sealer Shrink Wrapper supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
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You should go for this type of machine if you expect to work on thousands of products at a time.
Support Units: Shrink Wrap Tunnels
Beyond the low-volume shrink wrap devices, there are other automatic wrap machines available. These units are best for high-volume production facilities. The heart of these systems is the shrink wrap tunnel.
A shrink wrap tunnel is a temperature-controlled environment that heats packaging in 4 sides. While a heat gun is a handheld device that works fine, this is not fast enough for higher volumes. With a shrink tunnel, you package your products faster and better.
What makes the shrink tunnel a better choice than the heat gun is the conveyor system. They are mobile, so you can move them anywhere you need. They can function with bigger dimensions and are perfect for small items' use.
There are also shrink-wrap tunnels that can accommodate medium-sized products.
Industrial Shrink Wrap Machines
Beyond these, there are machines for bigger, industrial-level manufacturing. Many of these automatic wrap units remove operator involvement in the entire process. This allows you to save time and the expense of additional employees.
If you are gearing towards high-capacity manufacturing, an industrial shrink wrap machine should do it. You would need to connect these devices to your other automation equipment. If you’re a company that wants rapid product output and rapid product wrapping, these are for you.
Find The Right Shrink Wrap Machines
There are different devices for your needs when it comes to finding shrink wrap machines. For smaller operations, it’s best to use semi-automatic shrink wrap devices like the I-bar and L-bar. Couple it with a shrink-wrap tunnel and you should be ready to go.
Are you looking for better, more secure packaging for your products? Do you need someone who can supply you with anything you need for packaging?
You need Pack Secure.
We provide everything you would ever need to create that professional-looking product packaging. From POF to PVC shrink films, shrink machines to impulse sealers, we have it here for you.
Talk to us today and see how you can get the best packaging for your needs.
An Ultimate Guide for Shrink Wrapping Machine Cost
When our salespeople talk to customers, they start by asking a few questions to help determine what type of shrinker and film the customer might need. Once a few basic issues are resolved, different options can be offered. Let’s start with a few questions to help determine the type of machine you need.
1. What is your production level or planned production level?
Many customers are new to shrink wrapping and don’t realize that understanding production levels is necessary to help determine what type of machine is needed. Some customers have established businesses and are moving to shrink wrap for established product lines. Most of the time, these customers are familiar with production levels. There are also customers who are starting a new business or producing a new production line and they don’t know how many products to pack because they don’t have any sales. Accurately predicted production levels will help determine suitable machine recommendations. Efficiency and size are the two main factors that determine the cost of a shrink machine.
2. What is the size of the largest item to be packed?
As mentioned above, size is an important factor in the overall cost of a shrink wrapping machine. Knowing the size of the largest item to be packaged will ensure that a device can be found that will hold all the products. A machine that can seal the largest packaged objects can also seal smaller objects.
3. What form of shrink wrap are you going to use?
The three main forms of shrink wrap commonly used for packaging are tubes, bags, and intermediate folds. Deciding on the best shrink wrap is necessary when deciding on a shrink wrap machine. Different machines cooperate to seal various types of shrink wrap. If you’re not sure what form of shrink wrap you’re interested in, give us a call and we’ll be happy to help you.
By addressing the three questions above, we can now help determine the best shrink wrapping machine option for your application. Since there are many variables to answer the above questions, we will start by listing the production levels of shrink wrapping machines. We want to keep our readers informed about the cost of shrink wrapping machines.
4. Low Output Beginner Shrink Wrap Machines
Pulse Sealer and Heat Gun – The pulse sealer and heat gun combination is the most basic type of shrink wrapping machine available. Pulse sealers have flat wire, flat wire with cutting blades, and round wire sealers. Each type of seal has a specific function depending on the form of shrink wrap.
Flat wire pulse sealing machine. Suitable for heavier shrink-wrapped meters. Flat wire does not provide the ability to seal and cut film. For the sealing of non-shrinking plastic bags and other plastics. Flat wire sealers range in price from $61 to $327, depending on the size of the seal.
Flat Line Impulse Sealer with Blade – The blade on the top of the sealer allows the user to quickly seal and cut the film. A flat filament impulse sealer with a blade is suitable for any form of shrink film. We recommend anyone wrap objects in a shrink tube. The cutting blade enables the user to seal the tubing and cut off the seal to open the next product insertion. Prices for these sealers range from $107 to $200.
Round Wire Impulse Sealer – An excellent choice for centrefold shrink wraps and shrink bags. The Round Wire Sealer provides the user with the ability to seal and cut shrink film in one action. We do not recommend round wire seals because the seals will seal the open end of the tube from the roll. Prices for round wire sealers range from $68 to $190.
Heat Gun – A heat gun is the most basic heating element and is ideal for a low output operation. A heat gun becomes much hotter than a hairdryer in a matter of seconds. We recommend it to those who use a hairdryer. There are a wide variety of heat guns available. We offer two types, a dual-speed heat gun, and a variable temperature heat gun. The main difference between the two is that variable temperature heat guns offer a dial that allows users to adjust the heat gun for multiple temperatures, while dual-speed heat guns only offer low and high settings. Prices range from $54 to $77.
The total cost of a low-volume shrink wrap machine can be as low as $115 for a sealer and heat gun. Charges can be higher, depending on the size of the sealer required.
5. Medium Volume Shrink Wrapper
Bar shrink wrapping system – one of our best selling machines. The I-Bar Shrink Wrap System provides everything you need to start shrink wrapping. Each order includes a 500-foot roll of PVC shrink film, a heat gun, a workbench, and a film holder. Anyone using interstitial shrink film should consider using a shrink wrap system to wrap their products. Using this system, users can typically pack up to 300 products per day. Prices for I-Bar shrink wrap systems range from $236 to $445, depending on the size of the seal needed.
Foot sealers – a great option for users who choose to pack their products in shrink bags. The foot sealer allows the user to wrap the product, both hands-free. Use the foot pedal to raise and lower the sealing rod. There is a high seal efficiency and a fast sealing speed. When wrapping products in shrink bags, we recommend the use of a heat gun or shrink tunnel, depending on the level of production required. Foot seals are available in widths from 12″ to 32″. Prices start at $255.
Portable I-Beam Sealer – The main advantage of a portable I-beam sealer is the ability to bring the seal to the product being wrapped, rather than the product to the seal. Portable I-beam seals have a removable seal that allows for easy and effective sealing. Portable I-Bar seals are available from 12″ to 32″ seal width. Prices range from $500 to $700.
l-strip sealer – l-strip sealer is more efficient for packaging folding shrink film than an i-strip sealer. An L-Bar sealer has two sealing bars to seal both ends of the middle folded shrink film. L-Bar sealers are used for medium to high volume operations. The fully automatic l-bar sealing machine is suitable for fully automatic high-volume operations. Manual L-Bar sealers range in price from $570 to $, depending on the size of the seal. We recommend them for use with a shrink tunnel or heat gun. Users pack products using L-bar sealers and shrink tunnels, packing thousands of products per day.
Shrink Chamber – The shrink chamber uses a closed L-Bar sealer and heats the film once the sealer is complete. The shrink chamber is an all-in-one system that packs products quickly and efficiently in one action. It is important to know the height of each room. Since the sealer is in a closed cavity, the height of the product must be small enough to fit inside the cavity. Compression chambers range in price from $2,700 to $3,500.
6. High output shrink wrapping machine
Shrink Tunnels – We recommend shrink tunnels for anyone producing large quantities of shrink-wrapped products. A shrink tunnel is a high-speed heating element that is much more efficient than a heat gun. Shrink tunnels are often paired with manual or fully automatic L-Bar sealers for maximum efficiency. Pricing for shrink tunnels mainly depends on the size of the chamber. Prices range from $2,000 to $6,600.
Semi-Automatic L-Bar/Shrink Tunnel Combinations – These systems are connected packaging systems that require the operator to insert the product into the film, opening and closing the seal. These combined systems are so efficient that users can seal thousands of products per day. Prices start at $12,000 and may rise depending on the add-on accessories for each system.
Fully Automatic L-Bar/Shrink Tunnel Combination – The fully automatic machine is what large companies use to pack large quantities of shrink-wrapped products. The fully automatic shrink wrapping machine can pack – products per hour!
There is a wide variety of add-ons available, as well as multiple machines. For a rough estimate of the low-end price, users can expect to spend at least $33,000. If you have specific questions about fully automatic machines and prices, please call us.
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