Lantech has developed its new ConvectAir™ shrink tunnels for use with heavy LDPE films often used in shrink bundling. The ST-800, ST-830 and ST 830XL use a combination of convection heating, radiant heating and a minimal flow of recirculated air, resulting in faster shrink for LDPE films at a lower overall peak temperature. The new tunnels can produce 60-70 packs per minute, utilizing a chamber just 5 ft. long – 20% or more smaller than conventional forced-air tunnels. They are ideal for any product wrapped on corrugated trays, pads, U-boards or with film only, such as canned goods, beverages, ice cream, household chemicals and cleaners, and many others. The ST-800 offers an 18" conveyor width; the ST-830 a 30" width. Production speeds up to100 FPM are possible, depending on package configuration and film.The new ConvectAir™ shrink tunnels combine high levels of convection and radiant heating with a minimal flow of recirculating air produced by variable speed fan. The minimal circulation of air permits an exceptionally even temperature in the tunnel from end to end, top to bottom. This higher overall heat density allows the tunnel to operate at lower temperatures, while saturating the film quickly and evenly for the entire time the pack is in the tunnel. The result is soft, even shrink, excellent bull's-eye placement and strong product containment. The variable speed fan allows tunnel performance to be tuned to suit the type of film and packs being processed. "The more uniform temperature produces a faster shrink, allowing a shorter tunnel than conventional systems, just 5 ft. long," said Bruce Campbell, Lantech's product marketing manager for shrink packaging systems. "Convection and radiant heating reduce the need for air movement in the tunnel, making it easier for the film to do what it naturally wants to do without being pushed or pulled by air currents, which can cause the top to shrink faster than the bottom, or the film to fold onto itself. This can lead to a misplaced bull's-eye and failure to achieve product containment." All three models are available with optional casters, flow direction and exit cooling fan. They are covered by a one-year, unlimited-cycle warranty. Lantech's packaging and productivity solutions include semiautomatic and automatic stretch wrapping; automatic case handling; automatic palletizing; shrink packaging and pallet-load conveying systems. Lantech is the originator of stretch wrapping technology and world's largest manufacturer, with 55,000 systems placed around the world and 175 patents. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, with manufacturing operations in the U.S. and the Netherlands, Lantech products are sold and serviced by a network of 175 distributor locations.
