Shrink tunnels

Shrink Tunnels for Sleeve Applicators

Plan the shrink tunnel around sleeve material, container shape, utilities, shrink quality, output and integration with the sleeve applicator.

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Steam tunnelElectric tunnelHot-air tunnelSleeve shrink qualityLine integration

Shrink tunnels — Steam, hot-air and electric shrink tunnel routes

Shrink control

Shrink tunnels matched to sleeve material, container shape and utilities.

The tunnel is where the sleeve becomes the finished pack. Steam, hot-air and electric tunnels each have practical advantages depending on sleeve material, shrink percentage, container shape, moisture tolerance, energy availability and line speed.

A good tunnel specification considers temperature control, airflow or steam distribution, conveyor speed, drainage or drying, guarding, operator access and how quickly the line changes between formats.

Tunnel routes
Steam shrink tunnels
Electric shrink tunnels
Hot-air shrink tunnels
Moisture removal and drying
Integrated conveyors

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Practical tunnel selection points.

RouteUseful whenPlanning note

Steam tunnelComplex shapes or controlled shrink profile are important.Check steam supply, extraction, moisture and drying.

Hot-air tunnelDry environments and simpler shrink profiles are preferred.Airflow and heat balance affect final sleeve quality.

Electric tunnelSteam is not available or a compact electric system is preferred.Check energy demand, footprint and changeover range.

FAQ

Sleeve applicator questions

Do I need steam or hot air for shrink sleeves?

It depends on the sleeve material, container shape, shrink result, available utilities and production environment. Sample testing is the safest route.

Can a shrink tunnel be added to an existing line?

Yes, but conveyor height, footprint, utilities, guarding and downstream drying or packing should be checked first.

What affects shrink sleeve quality?

Sleeve material, shrink percentage, temperature profile, dwell time, airflow or steam distribution, container geometry and conveyor speed all matter.

Project support

Send the container, sleeve and output details before you choose a machine.

A useful sleeve applicator shortlist starts with the real pack: container shape, sleeve lay-flat, cut length, required position, tunnel type, production speed and line layout.

Send project details