When buying shrink-packaging machinery or upgrading your older equipment, you may be thinking of one of two elements: shrink tunnels or sealers. However, there is another element to consider as well: conveyor.
Which type of shrink tunnel conveyor is right depends on the shape, weight, and size of your product. In this article, we will discuss how to choose the right conveyor for your shrink packaging applications.
Plastic belt conveyors
The conveyors move your products through a packaging line. They can move your products from one type of machinery to another.
This conveyor utilizes different belts along the track. The entire track gets power from a motor. Turning this conveyor on will move your products from one piece of machinery to another.
Conveyors that utilize plastic belts have small interlocked portions, usually made of plastic. Their flexibility allows them to bend when moving on a loop around a track.
The shape of the conveyor depends on the packaging applications being run on that conveyor. Due to their flexibility, plastic conveyors can be moved in various directions.
Stainless steel belt conveyors
If your applications need regular wash downs, you can choose from stainless steel belt conveyors. The reason these are stainless steel conveyors is that they comprise several features made of steel. These features include gears, wash-down motors, rollers, and frames.
The conveyors are used for the packaging of food products. They also help the packaging process of liquids and drugs.
Due to their durability, stainless steel conveyors last much longer than plastic conveyors. Nonetheless, they are more expensive.
Roller conveyors
Roller conveyors consist of rollers instead of belts. These rollers sit on a collection of shafts on a frame. The movement of the product across the conveyor makes the roller spin. It results in the product moving from one end of the conveyor to another.
These conveyors solve the problem of moving products with uneven surfaces. These conveyors are most suitable for packaging and distribution.
Live roller conveyors
Live roller conveyors are a step up from conventional roller conveyors. They consist of powered rollers that push the product across a segment of the packaging line. These conveyors are using several types of packaging processes. These conveyors are most suitable for the distribution of beverage products.
Solid belt conveyors
These are the most common types of conveyor belts. They are usually made of materials such as polyester, rubber, and fabric. Mining operations generally use rubber belts on their conveyors. This way, people at the coal extraction site can manage coal and ore quite easily. Departmental stores also use solid belt conveyors.
Shrink film considerations for conveyors
Regardless of what conveyor type you need, make sure to discuss your requirements with a packaging vendor. The type of conveyor you can use will depend on the type of product you have to package. The formulation of shrink film you employ has a huge say in this regard.
If you are using polyethylene films, you will have to dry it first before it comes in contact with a live roller. Failing to meet this fundamental requirement can result in downtime.
