How To Buy Used Shrink Wrapping Machinery
Evaluating the condition of the shrink wrapper when it CAN be inspected

If you can inspect the used shrink packaging machine then here are a few things to look for:

1. Check to see that the used shrink packaging machine is complete and that there are no missing parts.

2. Inspect the over all condition of the used shrink packaging machine.

• Check for damage to the used shrink packaging machine.
• Look to see if the used shrink packaging machine has been maintained.
• Look to see if there is any ware on the moving parts.
• Check that all the operator controls are functioning.
• Look inside the control panels.
  • Check the wire harness condition.
  • Check the condition of the control system components.
  • Check the wire termination condition.
• Check to see the condition of the sealing system (seal jaws).
• Check to see the condition of the sealing beds.Inspect the film clamps.
• Inspect the conveyor system.
  • Conveyor belts
  • Conveyor rollers
  • Conveyor drive system
• Inspect the pneumatic system.
  • Valves
  • Cylinders
  • Lines
  • Control

1. Look for any unusual movement.
2. Listen for any unusual noise.
3. Check to see that all the safety systems are working properly.
4. Check that the conveyor systems are working properly.
5. Make sure that the product detection system is working properly.
6. Check for proper cutting and sealing of shrink film.
7. Check for unusually high volumes of smoke in the sealing area.

When you go to look at the used shrink packaging machine and it will ready to run. This is a good time to test your products in the machine. Bring enough product and shrink film to be able to run production for about one minute. This accomplishes many things. You get to see the machine running product and you get to see if your product will run on this type of equipment.

You may also want to time this production run to make sure that this machine is capable of running at the speeds that you were quoted. Also inspect the finished product. Make sure that the product is sealed and shrunk properly. You will need to know what your acceptable rejection rate is. A reasonable rejection rate should not be higher than about 1 to 5%. This would equate to 1 to 5 pieces per. Hundred. If this rate is higher than that there is a possibility that the shrink packaging machine is not working properly.This may only mean that the machine is out of adjustment for the shrink film that is being used. If after making standard operator adjustment to the shrink packaging machine and the rejection rate is still high then this might not be the machine you want to run your product.

Some shrink films will not run on all packaging machines. There are many formulation of shrink film and some shrink films will only work with hot wire sealing systems and some will only work with hot knife systems.

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