Packaging Equipment Sales

How this Automatic Skin Packaging Machine works: The operator places a master card onto the infeed conveyor (automatic card-feeder available). The infeed conveyor automatically indexes through the product loading stations and into the automatic skin packaging area. The card is then indexed from a cooling station through a hydraulic trim press that trims the master card into individual packages complete with hanger holes, if required. Machine cycle speed is adjustable to pace the operators and product loaders. Depending on model these machines can achieve cycle times of up to 12 per minute.

This video shows the basic principles of "Skin Packaging". Any of the below steps can be done either by an operator or automatically depending on the machine configuration. The operator places the master card onto the skin packaging machine bed, loads product and depresses the two hand start buttons to initiate the automatic skin cycle, the heater turns on over the film in the clamp frame, (an adjustable timer controls heat time) at the end of the heat time, the clamp frame descends and the automatic skin cycle takes place. Timer controlled vacuum is initiated, the heater remains on for a seal dwell - time and then turns off. The cool cycle takes place and the package is finished. The operator opens the clamp frame, moves the finished skin packed card out of the form area, the film is simultaneously reloaded in the clamp frame. After the frame is closed, the film is manually slit (or the optional automatic hot wire film cut-off separates the film. The skin packed board is now ready for fast and accurate trimming on a die cutter and the skin pack cycle can be activated.

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Automatic Skin Packaging Machine Features (found on highest speed system):

• Material Versatility: Accepts Dupont Surlyn or polyethylene (2 mil. - 20 mil.), board types of SBS cards or corrugate
• Card Indexing Station: Electric motor driven infeed conveyor with a card pusher system for indexing the standard skin pack cards through the product loading station into the skin pack station (optional electronic control available for parts that may shift). Precision indexing film conveyors then move the card from the skin pack station to the trim press onto a package discharge.
• Heating System: Advanced pre-heating system incorporates flat black far infrared type heater, which have been specifically designed to have a longer wave-length and corresponding heat profile for better penetration of the heat into the film than conventional cal-rod types. Each heater is individually radiated, or pre-zoned, so that the outer portions are hotter than the center section (poor film drape is usually caused by an over concentration of heat in the center of the sheet).
• Skin Packaging Station: Exclusive vacuum box design ensures precision skin packing of products by introducing the card (with product) up to the film in a parallel orientation. The film is automatically fed into the film clamp frame above to the vacuum box. This system prevents parts from shifting on the card while being skin-packed. The high volume vacuum system features individual vacuum and bleed control to ensure superior results.
• Trim Station: Precision four post, high tonnage trim press 80 ton standard with higher tonnages available). Utilizes a high efficiency and exclusive method of locking the trim press platens and energizing a secondary pancake cylinder to cut, thus increasing the speed of the press as well as reducing the hydraulic system required. Allows exceptionally high trim pressures to be generated with minimal hydraulic fluid movement and/or power consumption. All platens are solid steel, which span the entire trim area and upwards of 5" thick, completely eliminating deflection, as experienced with fabricated platen structures.
• Package Discharge: After die cutting, the individual cards are held in the web by tiny nicks in the die, which allow the entire card to index forward onto the outfeed package unloading area for case packing, etc.
• Scrap Rewind: Unique switch valve system on the rewind mechanism provides a variable load while winding or holding between machine cycle advances. This insures proper skin card and film registry through the machine, without breaking the scrap web while bundling for easy disposal.
• Control System: Operator Interface Control panel, with Intel® Pentium® processor, provides for fast memory set-up and adjustment of operating parameters and sequences to the PLC through the color touch screen. This Windows based system provides a new dimension in functionality and ergonomics of the man/machine interface for improved machine efficiency and productivity. This user-friendly system incorporates full graphic and animated process displays, prompting the operator through all the steps of operation and taking the guesswork out of setting up and running the machine. The touch screen is used to easily enter, access, adjust, monitor and store heater temperatures, cycle speeds, all process timers, machine sequencing, job/recipe storage, etc., adjustment of timers, heaters, production data, etc. Technical and maintenance help is provided via self-diagnostics of fault conditions and corresponding corrective measures recommended. Additionally, PLC I/O cards can be monitored on the screen to assist and simplify component troubleshooting without having to open electrical panels or use of a meter.