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Heat-shrink tunnels from Axon, a ProMach product brand (Booth C-3021) and part of the ProMach Decorative Labeling business line, can process labels, sleeves or bands that conform to container shapes, offering benefits ranging from tamper evidence to 360-degree coverage, from brilliant graphics to efficient product flow.
Automating what could prove a time-consuming process of hand-shrinking bands via use of hot-air guns, these devices offer tremendous labor savings and consistent product appearance.
但并非所有热隧道都是一样的。各种类型的优惠不同的Bene，并实现每种类型对流热，辐射热和蒸汽热量的优势，需要与合适的机器匹配。
Factors to consider include:
•使用胶片类型
•容器材料
• Product inside the container
• Environmental concerns
• Product temperature at the time of sleeve application.
WEIGHING THE OPTIONS
Understanding the specifics of each type of heatshrink tunnel can help make the correct decision about what partners best with a given application.
Convective tunnels utilize forced hot air to provide the heat energy required to complete the shrink process. e tunnel usually includes a fan to force air through a heat source, resulting in a heated air stream. Many tunnels feature a recirculation system to pull the heated air back into the process and boost efficiency. In some cases, industrial hot-air guns are used as the heat source and fan.
Infrared tunnels utilize radiant heat to provide the energy required to complete the shrink process. These tunnels utilize various energy sources from quartz panels, tubes and, in some cases, standard calrod-style heating elements with reflectors.
Steam tunnels use live steam to provide energy to complete the shrink process. Most steam tunnels require a separate steam source to provide the steam. For most tamper-evident (TE) band applications, the film used is clear, solid color or both, sometimes with a random print. For these applications, convective or infrared tunnels are normally used, with convective being the most common. As a general rule, aesthetics are less of a concern for TE applications than for sleeve-band applications.
对流隧道适用于大多数TE频段应用。红外线隧道通常用于更高速度的应用或较厚的固体挤出，使用LM。红外线单位通常比标准对流隧道传递更多的热能，这可以提供更好的收缩，厚薄的薄膜。蒸汽隧道很少用于TE频带应用。一些例外是当TE频带也用作标签，并且在危险环境中发生收缩申请时。
Steam tunnels provide the best results for most sleeve label applications. The benet of steam is that the shrink process occurs at a low temperature, the temperature is consistent, and the heat energy transfer of steam is very high. Steam is recommended for most applications in which a sleeve is applied to a liquid-filled container, especially glass.
由于对流隧道是最受欢迎ir ease of use. They also don’t require anything out of the ordinary to operate, unlike steam tunnels which need a steam source. The customer simply supplies the appropriate utilities and, in some cases, a conveyor. When using convective tunnels for labels, a multi-zone tunnel is recommended as it permits different temperatures to be used at different process stages. For most applications, it’s best to start the shrink process at a lower temperature and finish at a higher temperature. The goal is to start the onset of the shrink process slowly to minimize distortion.
红外线隧道通常与其他类型的隧道一起使用，作为整理单元。红外线类似于蒸汽，因为它提供了一致的温度和高热能量。
TRUE OR FALSE
机器类型之间的区别至关重要，因为某些神话遍布该行业。
One of the more prevalent myths is that heat tunnels used for standard shrink packaging or bundling are capable of processing TE bands and sleeves. People assume this is true due to a lack of understanding about the different types of packaging methods. A standard tunnel is not as effective because the air-flow requirements differ for each application. Various films also differ in shrink characteristics. The shrink-sleeve tunnel utilizes more of a cyclonic airflow with higher velocity.
Some factors are typically not considered that should be, such as utilities required to operate a heat-shrink tunnel, as well as anticipating
未来可以通过隧道处理的其他产品。
In addition, environmental concerns will dictate the tunnel’s location. For example, a steam tunnel will increase the humidity in the area around the tunnel and can release excess steam into the room. The end user must take this into consideration.
GETTING SET UP
卓越的热收缩隧道供应商将在与客户合作时包含几个关键步骤。首先，供应商应该完全了解客户试图使用机器完成的内容。基于此，供应商应要求通过隧道处理容器的样本或图片。还需要考虑其他细节，例如所需的速度和容器尺寸。
Once a machine is chosen, the vendor should request sample containers and film for tunnel setup and testing. Based on the testing results, the vendor should provide tunnel set-up sheets indicating the parameters used to achieve the best results.
Post-purchase perks should include phone/email support as well as onsite technical service. In addition, operational safety training is recommended for employees assigned to operate tunnels.
One prominent example of a company reaping the benefits of this technology is a co-packer specializing in personal-care multipacking.
The company previously used hot-air tunnels and had been saddled with a high level of rejects. By installing a steam-shrink system, the co-packer realized a substantial reject reduction and provided a higher quality level to its large corporate customer.
The result: a boost in business.
热缩隧道竞技场中的切削刃是蒸汽隧道的蒸汽疏散/冷凝水回收系统。然而，最终目标将通过使用对流或红外隧道或两者的组合来实现蒸汽的结果和成本效益。
But for the present, with several tunnel types to choose from, a little foresight can result in a machine that meets needs now and into the future.
For more info, www.axoncorp.com. SD
Editor’s Note: is article was written by Ed Farley, product line manager, Axon
