Line film

Types of line films

Line film is made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) resin dissolved in a solvent and cast onto a substrate. There are several types of line films, including PE line films, PP line films, biodegradable line films, and others.

• PE line films

  Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) line film packaging is common due to its flexibility and economy. For instance, PE line films have great adaptability to surface contours, thereby delivering consistent taping along all product shapes and sizes. Moreover, they tend to be transparent, allowing products to show through the packaging. LDPE line films offer excellent moisture barrier properties that keep products dry. However, LDPE's cling properties are limited, necessitating the use of a tape dispenser.

• PP line films

  PP line film (Polypropylene line film) is marketed as superior strength and clarity. Some PP line film products come with built-in antibacterial properties that help resist disease-causing bacteria. The end result is that the surfaces can stay cleaner, longer reducing the need for frequent cleaning and mold release. However, PP line films may not provide the same level of protection against air and moisture as other materials.

• Biodegradable line films

  Biodegradable line films are made from environmentally friendly materials, offering a sustainable packaging option. They decompose over time, reducing environmental impact. Biodegradable line films provide similar protection and clarity as traditional films, making them suitable for various applications. Besides, they are used in industries like food, consumer goods, and e-commerce, where waste reduction is a priority.

• Stretch line films

  A stretch line film is a polymeric film with the ability to stretch and cling back tightly to the load being wrapped. It is mainly used to wrap products on a pallet for protection and stability during transit and storage. Pallet stretch films are used primarily for securing and unitizing goods. Stretch line films provide a strong, puncture-resistant barrier, protecting products from dust, moisture, and damage. Moreover, stretch line films enhance load stability, reducing the risk of product shifting or toppling during transportation.

• Cling line films

  Cling line films are designed to stick to themselves, eliminating the need for tape or staples during packaging. Cling films offer a tight, secure wrap around products without compromising visibility. They are ideal for bundling irregular-shaped items together. Cling line films can also reduce packaging material waste by replacing bulky packaging methods.

Specifications and maintenance of the Inline film

Specifications

Some of the fundamental specifications of the inline films are as under:

• Purpose: An inline film is primarily manufactured to be used in inline packing. This implies that the film should be compatible to work with any kind of inline packing machinery to ensure that the product is protected effectively.
• Thickness: The inline film produced can have various thicknesses. Usually, it ranges from 0.5mm to 2.0mm. The thickness of the films produced for inline packaging impacts the strength, durability, and transparency of the package.
• Width: Inline films are produced in a range of widths to accommodate different packaging requirements. Inline films are usually produced in widths ranging from 100 to 600mm.
• Material: Inline packaging films can be made of various materials, like polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyester. Each material has characteristics such as strength, clarity, and flexibility.
• Seal and Print: Inline films can have different types of seals, such as heat seals, cold seals, and adhesive seals. The Inline films can also have different types of prints, such as gravure print, flexo print, CMYK print, etc.

Maintenance

Caring for and regularly maintaining inline films can ensure that they are efficient and effective in offering protection to the products that they enclose.

• Storage: While not in use, inline films should be maintained in a dry and dust-free place. The storage place must be climate-controlled to ensure that no moisture gets access to the inline films and that no UV rays make contact with the inline films that can cause any damage to them.
• Cleaning: Regular cleaning of inline films is important. It can prevent the build-up of residues and dust. Cleaning materials used should be mild and non-abrasive. This can be in the form of a soft cloth or a microfiber cloth.
• Avoiding harsh chemicals and physical abrasion: Users should avoid cleaning materials that have harsh chemicals in them or ones that are abrasive. This can cause scratches on the surface or even yellowing of the films.-Abrasion can cause the sealing properties of the film to get damaged.
• Periodic inspection: Inline films should be periodically inspected. This can help in noticing and identifying any early signs of damage, such as tears, wear, hazing, or yellowing. This can enable replacement before the damage spreads or affects a larger area.

Applications of film lines

The applications of a film line include the following.

• Packaging industry

  The packaging industry uses film extrusion lines to produce flexible packaging materials for food packaging, consumer goods packaging, industrial packaging, and agricultural packaging. Examples include blown film lines for producing polythene shrink films used for bundling consumer goods and stretch films used for pallet wrapping. Other examples are cast film lines for producing flat films used for food packaging, protective packaging, and cling films.

• Medical and pharmaceutical sector

  In the medical and pharmaceutical sectors, film extrusion lines produce medical films such as engineered films for patient dressing, drug delivery systems, and medical device components. They also produce blister films, laminates, and other packaging films for pharmaceutical products.

• Electronics and electrical industry

  The electronics and electrical industry uses film extrusion lines to produce polymer films and substrates such as polyester and polyimide films for electronic components, insulation materials, capacitors, and flexible printed circuits.

• Textiles and laminates

  Film extrusion lines can produce coated films, membranes, and other specialty films used in the textile industry. Examples include breathable membranes and textile laminates.

• Automotive and transportation

  The automotive and transportation industry utilizes film extrusion lines to produce component films such as window tinting films, protective films, interior films, and lightweight films for automotive parts.

• Construction and building

  Film extrusion lines in the construction industry produce barrier films, vapor retarder films, insulated films, and protective films used in construction and building applications.

• Solar energy and renewable energy

  The energy industry uses film extrusion lines to produce solar cell back sheets and other protective films used in solar energy and other renewable energy applications.

• Agriculture and horticulture

  Film extrusion lines in the agriculture and horticulture industry produce polycarbonate films, greenhouse films, and agricultural films such as mulch films and pest control films.

• Specialty films and advanced materials

  Many advances in material technology use film extrusion lines. These include specialty films such as optical films, fluorescent films, and barrier films, along with advanced films like nanocomposite films and biodegradable films, to name a few.

How to choose line films

Instructional movies for specialized machinery can be chosen based on specific needs and requirements. Here's a brief summary of how to choose them:

• Identify requirements

Understand the specific needs and expectations for the instructional films. Consider the type of specialized machinery, the complexity of its operation, and the target audience for the film.

• Assess film quality

Evaluate the overall quality of the instructional films. Look for well-produced films with clear visuals, good audio, and professional presentation. Examine the content quality too. Choose films that provide clear explanations, step-by-step demonstrations, and comprehensive coverage of the machinery's features and functions.

• Evaluate film accessibility

Choose films that are easily accessible. Consider the availability of the film on different platforms or formats. Ensure the chosen film can be conveniently viewed and shared with others if necessary.

• Consider copyright and licensing

When using instructional films for commercial purposes or in a professional setting, consider the copyright and licensing of the film. Obtain the necessary permissions or licenses from the film creators to avoid any legal issues.

Q&A

Q: What materials can a shrink film applicator use?

A: Most shrink film application devices work with PVC, POF, and PE. These are popular choices for packaging products, chemicals, cosmetics, food, and medicines, among other items.

Q: What is the difference between manual and automatic shrink film applicators?

A: An automatic shrink wrap machine does not need to be manually pushed or pulled to wrap an item. It automatically wraps items from a roll. A manual machine requires the user to manually pull the film over the item that needs to be wrapped. Automatic machines are usually larger and more expensive than manual ones. They also have more film used to create a single wrap compared to manual machines.

Q: Can a shrink film applicator work with any type of shrink film?

A: No, not all shrink films are compatible with every shrink film applicator. It's essential to check the manufacturer's specifications to find out what type of shrink film can be used with the particular shrink film applicator in question.