Shrink Tunnels

The Power Behind Shrink Tunnels

Shrink tunnels are a critical element of the shrink sleeve application. Just as there are various types and grades of shrink material, there is a variety of shrink tunnels. Each kind of tunnel has its attributes, and is best suited for certain applications and materials. PDC’s 35 years of experience make it uniquely qualified to guide you through the process of selecting the right shrink tunnel and shrink material to best fit your needs.

PDC International Corporation’s many satisfied repeat customers reflect our reputation for manufacturing a rugged line of shrink tunnels and sleeve applicators with a broad range of capabilities. These top quality workhorses get the job done with durability and speed, backed by unmatched customer support and service, while providing high performance and maximum line uptime.

PDC has been an industry leader for decades in both the US and European markets. But we’re more than a machinery manufacturer – we’re also a complete resource for shrink sleeve applications. We’ll help you develop your concept, provide preliminary shrink testing, offer material recommendations, and even provide input on package design.

Sleeving Solutions

When you partner with PDC, you gain much more than the finest and most reliable shrinksleeving and shrink-banding systems. You receive PDC’s total “Sleeving Solution”, which includes:

  • Analysis of your packages
  • Expert advice on material selection
  • Shrink testing and sample preparation
  • Line layouts and integration
  • Complete documentation
  • Operator and maintenance training
  • And the dedication of our entire technical team!

Working with PDC is a guaranteed choice to make your project a success!

PDC Has The Right Shrink Tunnel For Your Application

Shrink tunnel types include Hot Air Convection, Radiant Infrared and Steam. Each is suited to a specific need and employs control systems to precisely maintain the temperature. For example, for tamper evident applications, a standard Hot Air Convection tunnel will typically produce high quality results. With certain very dark colored neckbands, Radiant Infrared is the best choice. These two types of tunnels are constructed in very similar ways; the difference is in the type of heat elements and internal baffles. Convection and Radiant tunnels are frequently combined to produce better results in some applications. Steam tunnels are best suited for full body shrink labels.

Convection Hot Air fin-strip elements heat the air that is then blown on the sleeve and product through specifically designed baffles to direct the heat as required resulting in more effective distribution of hotter or cooler air.

Radiant Elements emit infrared radiation that is absorbed by the sleeves. Since different types of materials have different shrink characteristics, the type of heat is very important.

Steam Shrink Tunnels are for product lines where high quality and distortion-free graphics are most important. Because steam systems provide more uniform heat transfer than hot air systems, steam tunnels provide more precise label registration and shape conformance. Steam tunnels are also used with containers under pressure, or when low flash point or flammability is a factor.

Questions about your shrink tunnels?

PDC's "Total Sleeving Solution" includes specialized consulting regarding:
  • Package analysis
  • Material selection
  • Shrink testing and sample preparation
  • Line layouts and equipment integration
  • Operator controls
  • Inspection options
  • Documentation
  • Operator and maintenance training
Contact a PDC Expert

Questions about your shrink tunnels?

PDC's "Total Sleeving Solution" includes specialized consulting regarding:
  • Package analysis
  • Material selection
  • Shrink testing and sample preparation
  • Line layouts and equipment integration
  • Operator controls
  • Inspection options
  • Documentation
  • Operator and maintenance training
Contact a PDC Expert
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