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	Shanklin F-3 and F-4 Operation Specifications

Introduction

A SHANKLIN Overhead Harmonic Infeed continuously feeds product smoothly into an F-4 to produce the required spaciong between products.

The SHANKLIN F-3 and F-4 FIoWrap machines are continuous motion horizontal "Form-Fill-Seal" machines designed to wrap packages in plastic film (usually shrink film). The Model F-3 has a belt infeed conveyor and is capable of wrapping packages at speeds up to 50 packages per minute. The Model F-4 has a flighted infeed conveyor, and because of its product feeding systems, can wrap products at speeds up to 75 packages per minute.

These highly versatile machines run equally well at both high and low speeds, and their speed can be adjusted at the control console. The resulting packages have neat, welded bead trim seals on the leading and trailing ends of the package and a transparent overlap seam running longitudinally along the bottom of the package.

The SHANKLIN Model F-3 Wrapper, with its precision timed and sequenced belt conveyors accepts product arriving at the machine randomly spaced and establishes the correct product spacing for wrapping. When installed in your production line, the Model F-3 will accept product directly from your conveyor without any need for special feeding devices. The Model F-4 Wrapper has a flighted infeed conveyor and it will run product at somewhat higher speeds than the F-3.

SHANKLIN has engineered versatility and simplicity into the machines. Each machine is ruggedly built for high performance, reliability and ease of maintenance. Product size change-over can generally be accomplished quickly and easily, and their compact design allows the machines to fit into most production lines.

A SHANKLIN Adjustable Flight Bar Infeed simplifies hand loading product. Particularly useful for multipacks or packs with dissimilar products.

Description - Model F-3

The SHANKLIN Model F-3 accepts product arriving at the machine randomly spaced and establishes the correct product spacing by means of a series of precision timed and sequenced conveyors. The flow of product through the machine is a straight line and is relatively gentle.

The machine is a ruggedly built horizontal wrapper upon which is mounted a series of belt conveyors to carry product through the machine. The electrical control system, which includes a PLC, sequences the conveyors so that product, which arrives randomly spaced at the machine, is properly timed and spaced for wrapping as it advances through the machine.

Flat film from an overhead powered film unwind feeds to a film forming head, which wraps the film around the product forming an overlap running along the bottom of the package. As the package emerges from the head, the overlap is sealed by either a static sealer of a thermal sealer. From there the package is conveyed to a moving jaw end sealer, which forms weld bead seals on the ends of the package and severs the package from succeeding products.

A SHANKLIN Side Belt Harmonic Infeed continuously feeds product smoothly into an F-4 to produce the required spacing between products.

Description - Model F-4

The SHANKLIN Model F-4 is similar to the Model F-3 with one major difference. The infeed conveyor of the F-4 is a flighted lug conveyor, and although it cannot accept random spacing of product, it will permit the machine to operate at somewhat higher speeds than the Model F-3. An additional consideration is that some product is better handled on a flighted infeed conveyor, and for this type of product, the Model F-4 is ideal.

The film dispensing, forming and sealing systems of the Model F-4 are identical to those on the F-3, and they produce the same neat appearing packages with trim seals on the leading and trailing ends of the package and a transparent overlay seam on the bottom.

Operation - Model F-3

As product arrives at the Model F-3, it is carried to a "ready" position by the infeed conveyor. At precisely the right moment, the infeed conveyor feeds the product into the main conveyor system so that it is spaced the proper distance from the preceding product. The conveyors carry the product into the forming head where it is surrounded by film, supplied by a powered film dispenser, and a bottom seal is made. As the film and product reach the end seal jaws, the jaws close while traveling along at the same speed as the package, and end sealing and package separation is accomplished. Upon completion of end sealing, the package is conveyed out of the machine.

A SHANKLIN Hopper feeds lo profile products into the F-4

Operation - Model F-4

Operation of the Model F-4 is the same as the Model F-3 except that products are carried continuously into the machine on a flighted infeed conveyor, thereby permitting higher speeds.

Shrinking

A SHANKLIN Shrink Tunnel, located at the discharge end of the wrapping machine, shrinks the film tightly around the product to give the completed package an attractive appearance. A comprehensive line of SHANKLIN Shrink Tunnels meets the needs of virtually all applications.

Operation - Model F-5

Operation of the Model F-5 is the same as the Model F-1 except that products are carried continuously into the machine on a flighted infeed conveyor, thereby permitting higher speeds.

Product Infeeds

Depending on product type and production line operation, the following options are some of those available for feeding products into the infeed conveyor of the SHANKLIN F-3 and F-4 Flowrappers. Consult factory for additional systems.

A full range of Forming Heads are available to suit all sizes and profiles

Product Infeed for F-4:

• A SHANKLIN Harmonic Infeed for continuous product flow feeding
• Adjustable Flight Bar Infeed permits multipacking of similar of dissimilar product
• A SHANKLIN Automatic Product Placement Conveyor
• A SHANKLIN Right Angle Feed with "no product" detectors (Product can be fed from either side.)
• A SHANKLIN Hopper Feed for low profile product
• Hand-feeding of product where suitable using the extended infeed conveyor

Harmonic Infeeds are installed on modified F-4 Wrapping Machines which are equipped with belt infeed conveyors. The Harmonic Infeed is a simple, versatile way to achieve smooth, continuous product infeed at F-4 speeds.

The flow of accumulated product upstream from the infeed conveyor of the machine is essentially smooth and continuous with the SHANKLIN Harmonic Infeed.

Product Infeed for F-3:

The F-3 Flowrapper, with its smooth belt infeed, accepts product automatically and does not require a product feeding device. For packaging multiple products, a multi-packing infeed option is available for the F-3 machines.

A SHANKLIN standard Overhead Film Unwind feeds film to the forming head.

Changeover

Size changeover on the F-3 is simple. The product spacing and end seal placement are easily adjusted on the control console to accommodate product length and spacing changes.

For product height and width changes, reset the infeed conveyor guides and change the film forming head. If necessary, replace the roll of film with one of appropriate width. Reset the end seal jaw opening to clear the package height. The machine is now ready to use.

The procedure for the F-4 machine is similar to the F-3, except that product length changes are accomplished by changing the conveyor lug spacing and conveyor variator settings.

Controls and Adjustments

The SHANKLIN F-3 and F-4 FloWrap machines are equipped with programmable controllers with user-friendly touch screen
control panels, which allow easy machine set up and adjustment, assist in operator set-up, perform diagnostic checks, and control machine sequencing.

Diagnostic routines and status display are standard, helping the operator to quickly find a stoppage or a malfunction and to monitor the condition of the machine. The programmable controller has an optional data network capability.

USDA APPROVED MODELS AVAILABLE
STAINLESS STEEL MODELS AVAILABLE