Using a generous amount of shrink-wrapping film might seem harmless or even the right thing to do. Better to overestimate, than underestimate when it comes to sizing, right? Wrong! Over time, you may experience shrinking profits as your materials costs increase. In fact, it’s better to simply get it right the first time.
Nailing down your shrink film measurements is easier than you might think. Finding the proper film width and length will depend on what type of film you are using. You will need to know a few facts and measurements before calculating your shrink film dimensions. In this article, all measurements are in inches.
- Orientation/flow through shrink tunnel (This will inform which side is your product length vs your width)
- Type of machine (this will dictate what type of film you need)
- Production/Conveyor Speed
- Product dimensions (always round up to the nearest inch)
- Width: parallel to the cut-off or cross seal
- Length: parallel to the fold of the film, in cases of centerfold film
- Height: In cases of products with uneven surfaces, the height should be considered from the bottom to the highest point of the package
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The most common forms of shrink wrap film are tubing, centerfold film, and shrink wrap bags. Conveniently, there is a formula to calculate the proper measurements for each kind.
Centerfold: Combine the height and the width of the item, then add 2-3 inches of wiggle room. (3 for larger items only). The formula for this is H+W+2.
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Tubing: Tubular shrink film is typically only used for oblong objects. To determine the width of your shrink film tube, multiply the circumference of your object by 1.15, then divide your total by 2. In other words, (CIR×1.15)÷2. As for the length of your shrink wrap tube, simply add 2-3 inches to the length of the object.
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Shrink Bag: For most applications, bags are the most beginner-friendly solution to shrink wrapping. They are already sealed on 3 of the 4 sides, which makes packaging your item simpler. To find the right width for your shrink bag, follow this formula: (CIR×1.13)÷2. As with our previous examples, the length of your shrink bag should be the length of your object, plus 2-3 inches.
Every application is different and finding the right size film can be even more difficult when your item is an irregular shape. When in doubt, ask an expert. Every service technician at Best Packaging is trained in shrink wrapping procedure. During your next visit, ask a technician to take a look at your shrink wrapping line and your product to get a shrink film recommendation.
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Best Packaging is graduating to a much larger, freestanding facility in Chicago’s West suburbs! Our new repair shop and administrative headquarters will be located at 901 W. Lake St. in Melrose Park, IL. The building features 18,000 square feet of warehouse space, in a clear span structure, uninterrupted by supporting beams. (My facilities manager tells me that’s a big deal.) Geographically, Melrose Park is centrally located amongst our most frequent customers and its access to major routes will benefit our emergency repair response time.
Best Packaging is using this opportunity to ensure all staff members have the tools they need to offer the most support. Our new packaging equipment repair shop will feature two drive-in dock doors, one overhead door, ventilated spray booth, a dedicated fabrication/welding area and an equipment demonstration/photography studio. Our administrative staff will enjoy a spacious atrium with skylight, multiple conference areas, executive office suites and a lounge for entertaining our guests. Not to mention, 6,000 square feet of office space to accommodate future growth! Our sales department may not get the virtual golf simulator they were hoping for, but we do have plans for a fitness and recreation area.
Refurbishing and updating our new property will be a gradual process, but our team sees a lot of potential in the Melrose Park location. Stay tuned for updates in the coming months as we grow into our new space!
Many Americans have similar tee-ball memories from their youth, like picking dandelions in the outfield and going out for ice cream served in little baseball hats. We think back to those days with nostalgia but, by the time many athletes reach high school, it’s not so much ‘America’s pastime’ as it is an opportunity to get noticed by recruiters. For many, if we once again had the chance to step out on the field just to have fun with our friends, we would in a heartbeat.
Incoming Collegiate Freshmen Ryan Kudia and Johny Turgeon, friends who met on the diamond 10+ years ago, realized they had just the chance. This year, they formed their own independent All-Star Team to field one final summer blowout. With support from Best Packaging, Best Packaging Baseball Club and their team, The Machines, were born.
The 18u A-team quickly demonstrated ‘Why we’re the best,’ as we say at Best Packaging, at the Dog Days of Summer Invitational hosted by the Lombard Lightning. In game one, Drew Blouin started strong on the mound and, by the time closing pitcher, Jeremy Fox, took the field, they had a healthy cushion of runs. The Machines’ bullpen was stacked, but these lifelong friends were never selfish about sharing time on the hill. “We may not have had a chance to practice together before the tournament, but we all knew each other so well that we’re already aware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” says Ryan Kudia.
When their winning streak continued from the first through the third and final day of the tournament, the words “Who ARE these Best Packaging Machines!?” could be heard in exasperated tones from the opposing bench. As most of their competition represented a specific town like the Chicago Stars or the Schaumburg Flyers, The Machines were quite the unknown newcomers. Like Robinhood and the Golden Arrow, these mystery mavericks swept the competition, earning the title of first place champions. A perfect ending for these sandlot sluggers in their final act as a team.
Ryan, Johnny, and the rest of The Machines will soon be settling into their dorms and taking the first step towards promising careers, but some things are not learned in labs and lecture halls. By effectuating the Best Packaging Baseball Club in every aspect from conception to finally stepping onto the field, these young men have proven they have the interpersonal and organizational skills necessary to achieve real-world success. We could not be more proud of The Machines and we are eager to see what these talented gentlemen do next! Some of these players even earned athletic scholarships, so keep an eye out for the following names in the future of college ball.
Player: Graduated From: Attending:
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Johnny Turgeon Lyons Township High School Illinois State University
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Damien Sanchez Lyons Township High School Valencia College
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Austin Castle Lyons Township High School University of Cincinnati
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Ryan Kudia Lyons Township High School University of Alabama
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Cole Gordon Lyons Township High School Southern Methodist University
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Wylder Guido Nazareth Academy University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (Athletic Scholarship, Baseball, Corner Infield)
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Ethan Taylor Riverside-Brookfield High School University of Mizzou
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Jeremy Fox Riverside-Brookfield High School Maryville University (Athletic Scholarship, Baseball, Pitcher)
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Fabyan Ceballos J. Sterling Morton High School Undecided
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Drew Blouin Lyons Township High School University of Oregon
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Joe Milano Nazareth Academy Morton College
Today, Best Packaging observes Manufacturing Day! MFG Day, as it’s known, is an industry wide campaign to highlight career paths in manufacturing. We feel it is important to educate the public on the role manufacturers play in our everyday lives. Consider the chair you may be sitting in, or the cup you may be drinking from… Did you know?
There are 4 general types of manufacturing processes…
Casting and Molding:
Generally speaking, this is the process of forming raw materials (typically liquids or powders) into a desired shape. In this process, the shape is determined by a mold, or an outer layer that the material is pushed against. Materials, often metals and plastics, are formed through the process of injection molding, blow molding, compression molding, or rotational molding.
Machining:
Often times manufacturing involves the use of heavy duty machinery. If the fabrication of a finished good involves, cutting, drilling, grinding or otherwise removing parts from the whole using industrial equipment, this is considered machining.
Joining:
Casting new shapes and using machines to take parts from a whole can only get you so far. Eventually the pieces need to be put together, and that’s where joining comes in. Some joining processes, like welding, require heat. Other common forms of joining include fastening (nails, screws, staples) or adhesive bonding.
Sheering and Forming:
Sheering, also known as die-cutting, is a two dimensional, reductive process with a specific shape in mind. Consider this like a highly sophisticated cookie cutter. Forming is the process of obtaining the required shape and size of a material by subjecting the raw material to stress, such as temperature changes, mechanical or electromagnetic force.
Using the processes outlined above, manufacturers typically have one of three end goals:
MTO (Made to Stock)
This is, essentially, any product you can go to a store and buy. Items are manufactured to maintain a certain level of inventory, without a specific end-user in mind.
MTA (Make to Assemble)
Manufacturers keep components on hand, but manufacturing of the finished good does not start until an order is placed. These items are made to fulfill a specific order, but since they use components from their stock, there is little to no room for customization.
MTO (Made to Order)
MTO manufacturers create items to customer specifications after they are ordered. For MTO products, many manufacturers may not be triggered to order certain components until after an order is placed.
Common Careers in Manufacturing
Assembler/ Fabricator
Assemblers and fabricators put together pieces of products and/or assemble finished products. They use their hands, as well as tools and machines. Most assemblers and fabricators work in manufacturing plants. Most of these positions require a high school diploma, but many employees can get on-the-job training.
Machine Operator
Machinists and tool-and-die makers set up, maintain, and operate computer and mechanically-operated machines used to create parts for the manufacturing process. These positions require training, either in apprenticeship programs, vocational schools, or community or technical colleges. These employees also receive lots of on-the-job training.
Mechanical or Robotics Engineer
Mechanical engineers research, design, develop, or test various systems, including automation, intelligent systems, smart devices, or industrial systems control. Mechanical engineers design other machines inside buildings, such as elevators and escalators. Typically, a bachelor’s degree in robotics or mechanical engineering is needed.
Production Manager
Production managers oversee the day-to-day operations at manufacturing plants. They ensure that production stays on schedule, they hire and manage workers, and they fix any production problems. Many production managers will have a bachelor’s degree, typically in business or industrial engineering.
Quality Control Inspector
Quality control inspectors monitor quality standards for nearly all manufactured products, including foods, textiles, clothing, glassware, motor vehicles, electronic components, computers, and structural steel. Specific job duties vary across the wide range of industries in which these inspectors work. Typically a high school diploma or equivalent is required. Some rolls require Quality Control Certification as well.
Did you know there were approximately 592,000 manufacturing jobs in our home state of Illinois last year? Learn more about the local impact of this industry by visiting the National Association of Manufacturer’s webpage. https://www.nam.org/state-manufacturing-data/2020-illinois-manufacturing-facts/
What’s your take? We welcome guest bloggers! E-mail socialmedia@bestpackaging.com if you’d ever like to collaborate.
As we “wrap” up 2018, we have much to be thankful here at Best Packaging. We decided to make our end of the year blog post a little fun and silly.
Our team scoured the web for the funniest clips of holiday videos. So without further ado, here are our top 3 finds!
We hope you enjoyed these videos as much as we did and gave a chuckle amidst the hectic holiday season.
Everyone here at Best Packaging is truly thankful for our clients, who, without you, would make us non-existent. From all of us here, we wish you the most joyous and safe holiday season and a very happy New Year!
What’s your take? We welcome guest bloggers! E-mail socialmedia@bestpackaging.com if you’d ever like to collaborate.