Pallet protection through shrinkage

In summer, the “packaging” is rather scarce. Short, light clothing or bikini or swimming trunks are the most you can wear on your skin. The sunscreen does the rest. It protects against harmful UV rays like an invisible wrapping. It has the properties that a good package should have: perfectly tailored, fits like a second skin, nothing overhangs, visually completely inconspicuous, it lets the “product” take over and protects reliably.

Shrink films work in the same way. First, the film is placed loosely around the product and then shrunk in by heating (for example with a gas gun). During “shrinking in”, the material of the film contracts (it becomes denser) and adapts to the contours of the packaged product like a second skin. The film is (and remains) transparent, so that the view of the packaged products remains unobstructed. Shrink wrapping provides optimum pallet protection.

Advantages and disadvantages of shrink film

Admittedly: Products shrink-wrapped in this way are not very airy. On the other hand, perfectly wrapped in the robust special film, they are completely fixed and reliably protected against rain, dirt and dust. Shrunk, the PE film is also extremely tear and puncture resistant. Even unstable pallet loads can be secured with it. How this pallet protection works is explained in the following instructions for the correct application of shrink film.

Instructions for applying shrink film

1

Place the shrink bonnet over the entire load.

2

Secure the bonnet under the pallet skids. Make sure that the edges of the bonnet are folded under the skids so that the film cannot be pulled back during heating.

3

Turn on the gas cylinder, vent the hose if necessary and regulate the gas pressure. Now pull the trigger of the shrink gun to the pressure point and press it through to the stop.

4

First start the shrinking process along the bottom edge of the pallet. Sol the bonnet wraps around the pallet and obtains the necessary stability.

5

Now work your way up each side, little by little.

6

Finally, shrink the top of the pallet.

Tips for using shrink film

You should follow these tips when using shrink film:

• Make sure that the film is heated with even movements.
• During shrinking, ideally a distance of 30 cm should be maintained between Gas gun and the film should be maintained.
• The following formula applies to the dimensions of the shrink bonnet:Ideal height of the shrink bonnet = height of the load including pallet (H) + ½ width + 140 mmAnexample: (H) = 1600 mm. Pallet 800 x 1200 mm. You need a shrink bonnet with 1600 + 400 +140 =2140 mm.
• To shrink overlapping film areas, dwell longer on this spot with the shrink gun
• Shrink bonnets are suitable for products that are always the same size. They are adapted to the “classic” pallet sizes. If you want to shrink widely varying product sizes, consider using shrink film.
• Particularly safe to use are Gas guns with cold firing head. They always remain cold during use, so that a 360° degree rotation of the torch nozzle is possible with the bare hand. In addition, the wide nozzle allows the hot air to be distributed evenly, reducing the time required when shrinking several pallets.

For more info on shrink wrap, check out our related bonnet shrink machine blogs.