Packaging Machinery - News, Technology and Reviews

There are various hi-fi electronic gadgets and household items that we use on a daily basis in homes and at work. They range from personal computers and calculators to kitchen appliances like mixer grinders and other items. In several homes, we can find expensive furniture, crystal ware, delicate crockery, showpieces and a variety of other items.

These products need to be transported safely to the outlets. Scratches or breakage can ruin the entire product and cause loss. In other situations like when a family shifts from one house to another, their household fragile items, furniture and expensive electronic equipment need to be transported with utmost care. Bubble wrap packaging is used for wrapping up or cushioning of items against hard surfaces, filling up of gaps etc.

Materials used for Packaging

Various polymers and a blend of different plastics are used for bubble wrap packaging. These bubble wraps come in the form of rolls, bags, sheets and covers of desired dimensions. Plastics are the highly popular materials used in bubble wrap packaging. This is because plastics are highly functional, light-weight and affordable materials.

Polyethylene is a polymer containing macro molecules of ethylene. The easy to use, clean and elastic low density polyethylene is preferred in many places.

Machineries and Technologies Employed

Hand-cutters:  normally used to get the desired dimensions of the bubble wrap packaging. This horizontal equipment gives smooth edges to the sheets. There are different knife types depending on the type of bubble wrap. These are simple tools with wheels that can be broken conveniently.

Sizing technique for dimensions of bubble: Normal height per bubble is around 4-5 millimeters. At times, bigger bubbles ranging around 32 millimeters in diameter are used for cushioning. Depending on density of polyethylene, there are 3-4 levels of bubble wrap packaging. Anti static bubbles are also manufactured.

Bubble cutters and dispensers: these are specialized equipments used to obtain high precision and perfect sized bubbles. The blades are spring loaded.

Print technology:  The bubble wrap sheets can be colored by various methods and logos can also be printed on them using the latest technology.

Recycling machines: The material is recyclable. Sealed air filling techniques are employed to produce the bubble wrap packing.

Bubble fill systems: the bubble wrap is created by filling the correct amount of air for each bubble according to the desired diameter.