Arpac 55GI Continuous Motion Shrink Bundler for Printing & Publishing

Shrink Bundling for Book Binding and Postal Sequencing

Arpac's industry-leading 55GI shrink bundler meets the needs of low to medium volume printers and interacts with today's 18,000 to 20,000 books-per-hour binding lines, presorted postal route sequencing applications and the printing industry's fastest counter-stackers.

The 55GI is capable of wrapping extremely short, lightweight and random sized products, and is ideal for e-commerce applications. Shrink wrapped bundles reduce movement and product damage during shipment, and provide protection against harmful environmental conditions.

The 55GI wraps random sized stacks on demand, without interrupting production of the wrapper itself. The zero tension film feed ensures that this compact and economical shrink bundler wraps up to 55 products per minute.

Mode of Operation

Products are conveyed paced and centered onto the powered infeed conveyor. Photo eyes located on the infeed conveyor detect the height of the product as it passes. The PLC then cycles the zero tension mechanism so that there is no film tension applied to the product as it intersects the film. When the product intersects the film web, it passes through the seal frame and moves onto the seal conveyor. As the product moves through the film the machine detects film usage and starts the powered film unwind feeding film. After enough film is fed the powered film unwind system stops.

As the product moves through the seal frame the seal carriage moves the seal frame forward with the product and the seal bars close to form a film sleeve around the tray. The seal bars cut and seal the film. After the seal dwell timer times out the seal bars open and the seal carriage returns to its home position.

The product in the film sleeve continues moving forward across the seal conveyor and transfers onto the tunnel conveyor. The tunnel conveyor moves the product through the shrink tunnel chamber. The film shrinks evenly around the product as it travels through the tunnel. When the wrapped product exits the tunnel the film is still somewhat tacky. A cooling section located at the exit of the tunnel blows ambient/cool air onto the film as the product passes. This cools the film and allows for handling. The wrapped product then transfers onto the customer's conveyor completing the shrink packaging cycle.

Features of the 55GI

Heavy-duty rugged construction designed for high durability and around-the-clock operation

Compact, single frame design (wrapper with integrated tunnel)

Laser cut and CNC machined components for maximum precision Powder coat finish

Speeds up to 55 bundles per minute

Wraps random sized stacks on demand

Continuous motion seal head provides smooth and quick transitions of product through the wrapper at high speeds

Quick change plasma-coated seal bars for long life and easy maintenance

Timing belt stabilized seal frame reduces maintenance and dirt accumulation

Independent variable speed drives on the wrapper and tunnel

Zero tension film feed prevents paper sheets or slippery magazines from shingling

Side mounted film cradles for quick and easy film loading

Shrink tunnel with product cooling section at the tunnel exit speeds film curing

Durable Intralox conveyor belts eliminate tracking problems

Low film alert warns that a film changeover will soon be necessary

Allen-Bradley programmable logic controller with ARPAC standard operator interface

Digital controls for fast and accurate setup

NEMA 12 electrical cabinet and controls

Central point lubrication allows for routine maintenance without stopping production

Example Products

Books

Books on pads for e-commerce applications

Catalogs

Magazines

Mailers

Newspapers

Paper products

Periodicals

Tabloids

Trays

Machine Specifications

Speed: Up to 55 packages per minute

Electrical: 480 VAC, 3 Ph, 60 Hz, 40 A

Air: 80 psi, 30 SCFM

Product Specifications

Width (across machine): 5" to 12"

Length (flow direction): 7" to 18"

Height Range: .1875" to 10"

Film Specifications

Roll Diameter: Up to 14"

Gauge: 1.5 to 2.5 mil

Roll Width: 6 to 19"

Type: Low density polyethylene (LDPE)

Clear or randomly printed

Core: Up to 3"

Please contact Pro Pac or call 888-318-0083 for your shrink bundling equipment.