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Shrink Film Problems and Solutions
Fish Eyes - Shrink Film not shrinking completely.

Fish Eyes - Shrink Film not shrinking completely.

Solutions:

  • Tunnel temperature is not high enough.
  • Tunnel Air velocity is not high enough.
  • Tunnel Conveyor speed is too high.
Crows Feet - Shrink film shrinking too fast.

Crows Feet - Shrink film shrinking too fast.

Solutions:

  • Air evacuation from shrink film containment is too fast.
  • Lower the amount or size of air holes to the shrink film containment.
  • Tunnel Conveyor Speed too high.
Dog Ear - Shrink film not shrinking properly.

Dog Ear - Shrink film not shrinking properly.

Solutions:

  • Shrink film Bag was made too large.
  • Tunnel temperature is too low.
  • Tunnel conveyor speed is set too high.
  • Tunnel air velocity is set too low.
  • Inadequate shrink film.
Ballooning - Heated air not exhausting.

Ballooning - Heated air not exhausting.

Solutions:

  • No air evacuation holes in shrink film bag.
  • Not enough air evacuation holes in shrink film bag.
Burn Out / Burn Hole - Shrink film overheated.

Burn Out / Burn Hole - Shrink film overheated.

Solutions:

  • Not enough holes for air evacuation.
  • Tunnel temperature set too high.
  • Tunnel conveyor speed set too low.
Hot Spot - Shrink film overheated.

Hot Spot - Shrink film overheated.

Solutions:

  • Not enough air evacuation holes.
  • Tunnel temperature set too high.
  • Tunnel conveyor speed set too low.
  • Tunnel air velocity set too high.
Weak Seal - Shrink film not sealing properly.

Weak Seal - Shrink film not sealing properly.

Solutions:

  • Seal temperature set to high.
  • Seal dwell set to low.
  • Seal pressure to low.
  • Seal pressure not even.
  • Sealing surface dirty.
  • Seal pad is worn.
  • Seal tape is worn.
  • Sealing cycle to fast.

Angel Hair - Shrink film not cutting properly.

Solutions:

  • Sealing system temperature too low.
  • Seal pressure too low.
  • Shrink film not compatible with sealing system.
Bad Seal Position - Shrink film seals not centered.

Bad Seal Position - Shrink film seals not centered.

Solutions:

  • Sealer conveyor or table height set improperly.
  • Tunnel air direction set wrong.
  • Shrink film containment bag to big.
Crushing - Shrink force overpowering product.

Crushing - Shrink force overpowering product.

Solutions:

  • Tunnel temperature set to high.
  • Tunnel conveyor speed set to low.
  • Shrink film containment bag to small.
  • Shrink film has to much shrink force.
Curling - Shrink force overpowering product.

Curling - Shrink force overpowering product.

Solutions:

  • Tunnel temperature set to high.
  • Tunnel conveyor speed set to low.
  • Shrink film containment bag to small.
  • Shrink film has to much shrink force.
Zippering - Shrink film tearing.

Zippering - Shrink film tearing.

Solutions:

  • Air evacuation system tearing film.
  • Not enough air evacuation holes.
  • Sharp edges in film path.
Smoking - Too much smoke after sealing shrink film.

Smoking - Too much smoke after sealing shrink film.

Solutions:

  • Sealing system temperature set to high.
  • Not enough sealing pressure.
  • Dwell time set to low.
  • Shrink film not compatible with sealing system.

Problems Solution Key
Film Splits At Center Fold W
Film Splits At The Hole Punch H G X
Film Splits On Top Of Package H G X K L R N
Smokes Excessively A B C E S U
Angel Hair A B C E F I J S V
Crows Feet R N X Q K
Fish Eyes K M N O Q
Dog Ears O M N X Q
Burn Holes / Hot Spots G L X R N
Erratic Shrink K M N X Q
Film Build-up On The Sealing Wire A B C E S V
Severe Ballooning Q X
Weak or Split Seals A B C D E F I J S T U V Z
Off Centered Seals Y Z
Seal Failure In Tunnel A B C D E F G I J K R N V Z
Film Cannot Be Separated 1, 4
Static In Film 2, 4
Film Collapses The Package 3, 4
Adjustments Do Not Work 4

Solutions:
A. Check and clean wire & wire insulation.
B. Check condition of sealing pad and Teflon tape.
C. Check for even seal jaw pressure.
D. Check to make sure no tension is on the film during sealing.
E. Make sure seal is made with minimum seal wire temperature.
F. Make sure sealing cycle is completed before sealing jaws are opened.
G. Check for location of air evacuation hole in package. (Hole should be to rear of package)
H. Check hole punch for punch and die alignment or damaged die or punch.
I. Be sure magnetic hold downs are releasing at the same time.
J. Make sure the take away conveyor does not engage before the sealing jaws are opened
K. Make sure the tunnel is functioning properly
L. Speed up tunnel conveyor.
M. Slow down tunnel conveyor.
N. Adjust tunnel air flow dampers.
O. Use less film around the product
P. Use more film around the product.
Q. Increase tunnel temperature.
R. Decrease tunnel temperature.
S. Increase wire temperature.
T. Decrease wire temperature.
U. Decrease dwell time.
V. Take off Teflon sleeve
W. Check for roll damage.
X. Move the air evacuation hole in the proper position for beter results.
Y. Adjust the loading plat form.
Z. Loosen knobs on tension blocks.
1. Use two pieces of tape, stick tape on opposite sides of the film and pull apart.
2. Make sure machine is properly grounded.
3. Use Cryovac D940 soft shrink film.
4. Call McLeod & Dewey (800)

 

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