Common faults and solutions of pillow-type heat shrink packing machines

Flow wrap heat shrink packaging machines are commonly used packaging equipment widely applied in the food, daily goods, and hardware industries. They can flow-wrap products and then apply heat shrinking to make the packaging more aesthetically pleasing and compact. However, after prolonged use, some faults are inevitable. Today, let's share the common faults and solutions for flow wrap heat shrink packaging machines as summarized by the manufacturer.

The first common fault is weak seals or wrinkled seals. This is the most frequently encountered problem. When this occurs, first check whether the temperature is appropriate. If the temperature is too low, the seal will not hold; if too high, the film can easily be scorched and wrinkled or even burned through. Adjust the sealing temperature according to the material and thickness of the packaging film. Second, check whether the sealing pressure is even. If the sealing pressure is insufficient, or if the pressure on both sides is uneven, it can also lead to weak seals. Adjust the spring pressure so that the pressure on both sides is even. It is also possible that there is foreign matter on the sealing knife or it is damaged, causing uneven sealing. In this case, clean the sealing knife or replace the damaged components.

The second common fault is that the cutter fails to cut through the packaging film, or cuts in the wrong position. If the cutter fails to cut through, first check whether the blade is dull; if the blade edge is severely worn, it needs to be sharpened or replaced with a new blade. Second, check whether the cutter pressure is sufficient—if the pressure is insufficient, it will also fail to cut through. It is also possible that the position of the cutter and anvil blade is incorrect and they are not aligned, requiring adjustment of the cutter position. If the cutting position is wrong, check the position and sensitivity of the photoelectric switch and adjust the tracking mark recognition position so that the cutter cuts in the correct location.

The third common fault is poor shrinking results, such as insufficient shrinking, wrinkles, or bubbles. Insufficient shrinking may be caused by the shrink furnace temperature being too low or the speed being too fast. Appropriately increase the shrink furnace temperature or slow down the conveyor speed to allow the product to stay in the furnace longer. If there are wrinkles, the temperature may be too high, or the airflow is too strong, blowing the film into wrinkles. Appropriately lower the temperature or reduce the fan airflow. It is also possible that the packaging film quality is poor or the shrinking direction is incorrect—in this case, replace with a suitable packaging film.

The fourth common fault is abnormal film feeding, such as film drifting off-center or uneven feeding speed. If the film drifts off-center, first check whether the film roll is installed straight, and then adjust the position of the guide rollers to keep the film on track. If it still drifts, the tension on both sides of the film may be uneven, requiring adjustment of the tensioning mechanism. If the feeding speed is uneven, there may be a problem with the film feeding motor or speed regulator, or the drive belt may be loose or slipping. In this case, check the motor, speed regulator, and belt—tighten what is loose and replace what needs replacing.

In addition, loud equipment noise and temperature control failures are also relatively common faults. If there is noise, check whether parts are loose, whether bearings lack lubricant, and whether drive components need lubrication. Temperature control failures may be caused by problems with the temperature sensor or temperature controller—in this case, inspect and replace them.

In summary, many faults are caused by inadequate daily maintenance. As long as regular maintenance work such as cleaning, lubrication, and inspection is carried out, the occurrence of faults can be greatly reduced.