Shrink wrap failure rate!

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Bob Doyle

Bob Doyle

SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
Joined
Jul 14, 2002
Posts
19,504
Location
South Berwick, Maine
I need some help from you shrink wrapping gurus out there!

I replaced my roll of shrinkwrap and now the new rll is failing on me at a ridiculous rate. What am I doing wrong?

I hold the wand on the plastic, cut through, ***** the back with a pin to let the air out, and when I hit it with the air gun the seams all rip apart.

Did 7, 3 held. redid the 4 and only 2 held. last 2 1 held. so had to use up 16 bags worth to do 7 bags!

Hate the **** thing, the previous roll wasn't this finicky, this one sucks, both from same distributor, both from Clearmount, so what gives!

Gotta do 100 and at this rate I will use up 223 bags worth to get the job done! (Well on my way to a new roll!)
 
OK found out you can't say ***** as in ***** a balloon, I feel like a real dumb ***** now! so replace ***** with "poke" a hole in the back!
 
I've found that the hot-wire on the wand on my ******* shrink-wrap machine needs a good ******* (but gentle!) cleaning with some fine steel wool from time to time. **** builds up and interferes with the sealing action.

Bob, if I had 100 items to shrink wrap, I'd ******* shoot myself with the nail gun. I hate to be a *****, but I strongly dislike shrink-wrapping.
 
Bob

Try replacing the tape that covers the heat wire. Also, count to 2 or 3 before "pulling" the package from under the arm.

Instead of pricking a hole in the back, try burning a small hole with the heat gun only if you have air trapped inside. That method creates a "tuffer" material around the hole and less likely to tear open.

When you make the cut, does the material stretch like chewing gum, or does it make a clean cut?

Do have have a stationary machine or the removable wand type? If you are using a wand type, you need a really really flat service to work on, or you will get crappy seams. And that sounds like whats going on.
 
Ron I'm with you on that one! stinkwrapping sucks!

Originally posted by Jerry Ervin:
Bob

Try replacing the tape that covers the heat wire.
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Huh?! what tape?
Also, count to 2 or 3 before "pulling" the package from under the arm.
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Have to count to 10 now, say a few calming words, then open my eyes, so I'll try counting to 3!

When you make the cut, does the material stretch like chewing gum, or does it make a clean cut?
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definite bubble gum crud appearance!

Do have have a stationary machine or the removable wand type? If you are using a wand type, you need a really really flat service to work on, or you will get crappy seams. And that sounds like whats going on.
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Wand type. replaced the pad, but it definitely has burn marks all over it!

How long do you hold the wand down on the wrap with the button pressed?
 
Originally posted by Bob Doyle:
...
I hold the wand on the plastic, cut through, ***** the back with a pin to let the air out, and when I hit it with the air gun the seams all rip apart...
Click to expand...
I wouldn't call myself a guru but, I do about 150 - 300 s/w at a time... hate doing it, but someone's gotta do it.
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Anyways, my 2 Canuck cents worth:

1) If your seems are ripping, the plastic is cut but not melted/welded properly. Perhaps try another second or so under the wand? Also, you could try (gently) pulling the excess wrap from the opposite direction you have been ... for example, if you pull the shrink-wrapped package from the roll, try gently pulling the roll from the package (hope that makes sense). Also, changing the angle of pulling makes a difference. Once you're "in the s/w zone", the failure rate should be negligible.
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2) I've never bothered with poking a hole to let the air escape ... perhaps because I do such a mediocre job, I'm assured that the air will find its own escape route ... also, I'm too darned lazy for an additional step - even at 20 seconds per finished product, 300 pieces takes me a good 2 (very boring) hours or so (with breaks).
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Hope this helps. Good luck!
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Thanks Printmaker,

just checked and found that the s/w is the cheaper thinner one (60), not the 100 grade I was used to.
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Now I remember why I was willing to pay the extra before, and thougth I had this time! I'm gonna have to remember my timing with the wand for this cheaper crap all over again! but at least after this stinkwrap project I'll be that much closer to a new roll of the good stuff.

I'll try pulling from different angles and directions, like this
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try not to feel like this
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but before I leave tonight the s/w wand is gonna get this
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!

I appreciate your 2 canuck cents! to me they are worth 2 US cents anyday, probably more most days!
 
Bravo Winnie ! ! !
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Three thumbs up for you - That is what makes TG GREAT !

Suppliers that aren't afraid to (or don't want to) help.

Yeah Bob, you gotta go for the good stuff (100 grade) Like you, the thinner stuff just frustrates me.
 
Just gotta ask this since we are on the subject of shrink-wrapping.

I believe I once read that a bi-product given off during the process of shrink wrapping is carcinogenic. Is this true with all materials currently used with shrink wrapping? Because of this, I've opted not to do shrink wrapping.

An update would be appreciated.
 
I've had much better luck getting shrink wrap to shrink by putting it in a drymount press set to a low temp with no pressures than using the heat gun. Do the first side then flip it over to shrink the second. Times and temp will vary depending on your press but it works for me with my old mechanical press.Much easier on the ears too.
 
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