Preferred Pack Shrink Wrap Machines

Preferred Packaging shrink wrap machines come in a variety of sizes and capabilities. This post will highlight a few of the shrink wrap machines in the line up and point out details of each to help determine which may assist with your needs. We will discuss all-in-one shrink machine options, sealer/tunnel combo machines, and automatic shrink wrapping options.

Before diving into the details, we want to clarify the type of shrink wrap machines we are discussing. In this article, we are discussing heat shrink wrap machines for packaging. If you want a preferred pack pallet shrink wrap machine, call 1-800-441-5090 for options and details.

Shrink Chamber Machines

Compact machines with an L-bar sealer and a lid that opens and closes. After a seal, the lid remains closed while a fan circulates heat in the sealing chamber. Upon completion, the lid opens, and the finished package can be removed.

48ST – The smaller 48st uses a standard 110v plug and has an L bar sealing area of 11"x18.5" and a chamber height of 6". This machine is perfect for smaller areas and confined spaces. The small compact design offers the film roll to the right of the operator, with a loading tray between the dispenser and sealer. Magnetic hold downs keep the sealing lid closed until the set time. Once the cycle is complete, the magnets release, and the lid is opened.

The preferred pack 48st is an excellent machine for low-volume shrink wrapping in small areas. One drawback is the power supply and overall operation. Because the lid opens when the cycle is complete, warm air escapes, and the chamber must reheat before the next product can be packaged. The lower 110v power supply will require a longer reheating cycle than higher-powered machines.

The control panel uses red and green lights during operation to let users know when the machine is ready to cycle. It is important that operators pay attention to this. Products will not be correctly shrunk if these indicators are ignored.

76ST – The bigger sister model of the 48st, the preferred packaging 76st features a larger 16"x22" sealing area. It can also fit taller items within the chamber because of the 8 inch hood height. An excellent option for smaller spaces and companies packaging a few hundred products daily.

The 208/220V Preferred Pack 76ST can package hundreds of products daily. The higher power output allows the shrinking chamber to heat up faster between cycles, resulting in faster packaging times. The 48st and 76st chamber models have an adjustable basket height to accommodate different product sizes.

It is important to note that the 76ST shrink machine comes bare wire and will need a matching 220V plug installed upon arrival. Film threading and setup are easy and can be done within minutes. Dialing in the machine will require time initially, but once the correct settings are in place, the machine will run consistently over time.

L-Bar Sealer + Tunnel Combo

L bar sealers and tunnel combos are efficient semi-auto machines capable of packaging thousands of products daily. Products are first sealed in the sealer and then move through a shrink tunnel for shrinking and conforming around the product. They come with various features, highlighted in this post about shrink combo systems.

1519ECMC – The smaller Preferred Pack 1519ECMC shrink combo system is available in a 110v or 220v power supply. The 15”x19” sealing area can fit a wide range of product sizes and shapes. Users load products into the shrink film with the loading tray and then move items into the L bar sealing area. After the seal is complete, products move into the tunnel to shrink and conform to the wrapped product.

One of the significant differences between sealer and tunnel combo machines and shrink chamber machines is the continuous heat from the shrink tunnel. During the shrink chamber cycle, the lid opens and allows air to escape. In contrast, the shrink tunnel maintains a consistent shrink temperature.

The 1519 shrink combo system comes with many different options and features. The most popular options include magnetic holddowns for the sealing bar and a takeaway conveyor to transport items into the shrink tunnel. Digital temperature controls help precisely set the tunnel temperature as needed.

1622MK Econo Shrink System – The Preferred Pack 1622 is available as a one piece unit or with a separate sealer and tunnel. The one piece unit is nice because of the one power supply required, but the one piece machine is large and can be difficult to ship without damage. The two piece combo machine fits next to each other and operates efficiently to reduce packaging times.

The 1622MK Econo system functions the same as the 1519ECMC, except larger and built more durable for heavier work loads. The 1622MK sealer features a 16”x22” sealing area capable of fitting products up to 15”x21”. The heavy-duty sealing bar can seal thousands of seals daily.

The Preferred Pack 1812-28 shrink tunnel, which comes with the Econo machine, features digital temperature controls and air velocity adjustments for accurate shrink settings. Mesh belt options are also available for small products.

2028 Econo Shrink System – The Preferred Pack 2028 seal + tunnel combo is made for oversized products with a 20”x28” seal bar area. The larger 22”x12”x48” shrink tunnel aligns with the oversized sealer to complete the combo system. The tunnel can shrink products up to an 11” height. The two-piece machine requires a 220V single-phase power supply for the sealer and a 220V, three-phase power supply for the shrink tunnel. Both machines come bare wire.

The L bar sealer is easy to set up on arrival and film threading takes seconds. Adjusting the sealing time and holddown for the sealer is simple and can be accomplished within a couple of seals. The tunnel temperature, speed, and air velocity will need to be dialed in to properly heat and shrink the material being used. Adjustments and fine-tuning can be done with the tunnel’s digital temperature controls and conveyor speed control.

Automatic Shrink Wrap Machines

The Preferred Pack line has two primary automatic shrink wrap machines. These machines can package tens of thousands of products daily, and stored product settings allow users to adjust the machines from product to product quickly.

5600 Auto L Bar Sealer – The Preferred Pack 5600 auto L bar sealer is available as a one piece combo unit with sealer and tunnel or a two piece unit. The auto L bar sealer operates on a PLC with touchscreen capable of storing up to 30 preset product sizes. Once the preset product is selected, the machine adjusts for the product height and width.

The L bar sealer has a large 20”x25” sealing area and can seal products up to a 7” height. After the L sealer makes a seal, the scrap wheel winds excess film. The scrap wheel needs to be emptied over time, but will help maintain a clean workplace.

It is important to send products in for testing before purchasing an automatic shrink wrap machine. The testing process can identify several setting adjustments and overall capabilities when packaging the desired products.

INT-20 Auto Side Seal Machine – The Preferred Pack INT-20 auto side seal machine can package tens of thousands of products daily. The auto side seal machine can package items up to 19” wide and unlimited length. Photo eyes engage the cross sealing bar once the product passes the sealing bar. The continuous side sealing wheel seals and cuts the film lengthways to accommodate elongated products.

Preset features allow quick product adjustments between each product. Up to 30 preset product adjustments can be stored in the INT30 side seal machine. Items over 48” long run smoothly with the INT-20 side seal machine. The machine has a max product height of 7”. A longer shrink tunnel is recommended for these auto machines, especially if packaging products over 24” in length.

Depending on the product length, users can expect to seal anywhere from 15 – 30 products per minute with the INT-20 auto side seal machine. It excels in packaging longer products with multiple adjustments available from product to product. We highly recommend using a crosslinked shrink film for this auto side seal machine.

Conclusion

The Preferred Pack shrink machine line is made to accommodate various production levels and product sizes. To help establish a starting point for purchasing the right machine, we recommend determining the largest and smallest products that will be wrapped and an estimated production level. If you need help finding the right machine, have questions about shrink film, or Preferred Pack machine parts, call 1-800-441-5090.