Acrolab supports the Packaging & Sealing Systems industry with multiple products and services. Depending on the types of processing methods implemented in your packaging and sealing application(s), thermal management of the process is typically one of the most important considerations in achieving a successful outcome. The lack of uniform heating along the sealing surface will jeopardize the production process and lead to lost time and scrap product. We will work with your team to provide the thermal management products and services necessary to ensure sustainable and reliable production processes for your packaging and sealing applications.
Packaging & Sealing Application Process
- Review the Current Design or Feasibility of the Current Solution Build
- Recommend Key Thermal Components
- Technology Feasibility Review
- Technology And Solution Design
- Client Approval
- Design & Development
- Execute: Design, Build, Test
- Deliver & Support
What Can We Offer For Your Packaging & Sealing Application?
- You can choose one or all of the products/services below to suit your needs.
- Heating & cooling system design
- Machined Sealing Bars
- Thermal tooling review
- Heaters: cartridge heaters, tubular heaters, split heaters
- Temperature sensors: thermocouples and RTDs
- Isobar heat pipes (thermal pins): rapid heat movement
- Temperature uniformity: Isobar heat pipes to create thermal uniformity
- Tool insulation: mold insulation board
- Platens: heated/cooled platens or heated/cooled Isoplatens
- Schematics: electrical tool schematics and layout
- Electrical box: tool junction boxes
- Temperature control: controllers of all types
- Install: turn key install of our components and system
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Typical Packaging Sealing Application Thermal Challenges
- Calculating Energy Requirements
- Different Technologies Available
- Electric Heat Wattage Requirements
- RTD And TC Placement(s)
- What Type Of Material To Use
- Sealing Lengths Can Be Exceptionally Long
- Multi Piece Tools
- Electric Heater Designs Are Not Utilizing Distributed Wattage
- Non Sealed Spots
- Thermocouple Designs Are Inadequate
- Non Isothermal Conditions
- Premature Electric Heater Failure
Taking A Look At Hot, Cold, & Non-Sealed Spots
One starting point you want to review when utilizing electric heaters, such as cartridge heaters, is the heater designed correctly for your application. Ensure that your supplier is knowledgeable enough to design distributed wattage cartridge heaters instead of standard ones. If you are looking for more information on what a distributed wattage cartridge heater is and how it can help in your application contact one of our engineers today.
- Using the example of a seal bar or jaw to discuss hot and cold spot challenges, most of these issues can be solved by taking a thermal solution approach.
- One great trick to obtain uniform temperatures is to implement an Acrolab Isobar into the sealing bar. It is always best to implement the Isobar as close to the sealing surface as possible. This way you give the thermal energy time to become isothermal as it travels from the heater through the Isobar to the working surface.
Multi-Piece Tooling & Achieving Temperature Uniformity
- Typically, thermal challenges increase exponentially once you start having to deal with multiple-piece tooling that is bolted together. Normally electric heating elements such as cartridge heaters or tubular heaters will be used in these types of applications. In some cases a slot will be milled into two plates and the heater will be situated in between these plates and then the two plates are bolted together. One of the challenges with this type of build is that thermal breaks are created which cause problems with uniformity and thermal recovery during the production process.
- The way to tackle multi-piece tooling is to implement distributed wattage heaters as mentioned. Also, ensure that your two pieces are in intimate contact with each other. This can be achieved by calling out for a very smooth machined surface. An Isobar heat pipe should be used either next to the heater, in between them or close to the working surface to assist with moving thermal energy.
