PDC Shrink Lab History Our Team Why PDC About Us » Se habla Español Request Quote Contact Us Resources Why PDC Industries Products Glossary of Terms Air Dump Valve Automatic Sleeve Roll Changeover Band Locating Rollers Bar Code Verification Cabinet Air Conditioner Cabinet Cooler Casters & Leveling Pads Cluster Lubrication Complete Set of Tooling Conveyors Crating for Shipment Digital Dials for Quick Changeover Downstream Photo Eye Drive/Motor Dual Speed Control Ejection Verification Electrical Lock Out/Tag Out Engraved Tags on Devices Fallen Bottle Sensor Film Application Jam Sensor Film Feed Jam Sensor Full Enclosure Horizontal Perforator Hot Stamp Imprinter Imprint Verification Indexing Conveyors w/Fixtures Inspection/Ejection Unit Keyed Run/Jog Switch Light Fixture in Main Electrical Panel Line Pressure Relief Unit Low Air Pressure Switch Low Material Sensor w/Beacon Material Out Sensor Motorized Height- Up/Down Motorized Height-w/Pre-Sets Motorized Unwind Reel PLC Control Power Transformers Pre-shrink Unit Remote Jog Safety Interlocks Scales and Gauge Blocks Second Unwind Reel Separate Dual Reel Unwind Stand Servo Feed Motor Shrink Tunnel Skidding and Wrapping For Shipment Sleeve Locating Rollers Solid Stainless Construction Splice Detection Ejection Upgrade Air Dump Valve Releases air pressure when any interlocked guard is opened, or an E-Stop is activated. Benefit: eliminates potential energy permitting work on the machine. TO TOP Automatic Sleeve Roll Changeover Fully automatic system for the feeding of a new roll without operator intervention at the time of splicing. New roll is prepped by the operator while the machine is running and machine automatically runs the new roll at the proper time. This is in contrast to a splicing or accumulation system which requires operator involvement at the moment of splicing. Benefit: provides zero-downtime during roll changes, increasing productivity. TO TOP Band Locating Rollers Also known as Sleeve Locating Rollers, these are rubber disks mounted on variable speed motors which insure the label is fully seated down to the conveyor. Benefit: increase sleeve application efficiency by assisting in placement. TO TOP Bar Code Verification Sensor which reads and confirms each bar code on the flat label web prior to application and can trigger an ejection unit or pause the machine. Benefit: insures intended labels are placed on the correct bottles, critical for FDA controlled products. TO TOP Cabinet Air Conditioner As an upgrade to those models which require a heat exchanger. Unit maintains a fixed temperature in the electrical cabinet. Benefit: helps control sensitive electronics in extreme temperature situations. TO TOP Cabinet Cooler Also known as Closed Loop Heat Exchanger, used with machines containing servos to maintain cabinet temperatures. Benefit: avoids the possible erratic behavior of servo motors due to heat build up in electrical enclosure. TO TOP Casters & Leveling Pads Available on some machine models to move machines from line to line. Benefit: machine can be utilized on multiple lines, or the line can be reconfigured as required, increasing flexibility. TO TOP Cluster Lubrication Connects flexible lines from bearings to a manifold on the exterior of the machine frame. Benefit: allows convenient and thorough lubrication, eliminating the possibility of missing hard to reach bearings; reducing downtime. TO TOP Complete Set of Tooling All the size-specific components required to run a given container and neckband or label. Benefit: tooling is precisely made for the specific packaging components, providing highly efficient operation. TO TOP Conveyors Conveyor belts, either plastic or stainless steel chain, with either AC or DC drives, used to convey containers into, out of, or through a PDC machine. Conveyor drive may be in the PDC electrical enclosure and the speed may be controlled on the push button station or HMI/Operator Touch screen. Benefit: conveyors provided by PDC assure compatibility with the application and temperatures required, and can be inserted into the customer's line, reducing labor and installation time. TO TOP Crating for Shipment Complete enclosure of machine in a sturdy wooden crate; typically required for export by truck or ship. In the standard preparation for shipment the machine is lagged onto a skid and wrapped. Benefit: crating completely protects all components in transit. TO TOP Digital Dials for Quick Changeover Numerical dial readouts that note position; used to provide guidance for changeover. Benefit: Reduces Changeover time by indicating positioning of movable assemblies, increasing productivity. TO TOP Downstream Photo Eye Monitors product flow after machine and detects back up on conveyor downstream of the machine, such as from a paused case packer. When the photocell is blocked, the PDC machine is paused. Once the jam is cleared the PDC machine will sound a tone to alert operators and the machine will automatically restart. Benefit: prevents product back ups into the machine; allows the controlled starting and stopping of the line without jamming the machinery, reducing product damage and downtime and increasing productivity. TO TOP Drive/Motor AC – standard motor and controller type for most machine models. Benefit: cost effective motion control for moderate speed applications. TO TOP Dual Speed Control Photocell and circuitry which monitors upstream accumulation area or a long conveyor. Toggles the machine to higher speed to clear upstream accumulation, then when the accumulation is reduced and the eye is cleared, speed reduces to normal rate. Benefit: provides for automatic monitoring and clearing of upstream accumulation areas. TO TOP Ejection Verification Sensor confirms the ejection cycle of an Inspection/Ejection unit. A beam across the entrance of the eject tray is broken after each eject command to confirm the ejection has taken place. If the beam is not broken the machine is paused and the operator alerted. Benefit: confirms that product intended to be ejected is moved off conveyor, reducing the likelihood of a bad product continuing down the line, insuring product integrity. TO TOP Electrical Lock Out/Tag Out Locking cover which allows the padlocking of power switches. Benefit: as per the OSHA guideline, allows for the securing of control power in a safe mode so that a machine can be maintained safely. TO TOP Engraved Tags on Devices The optional installation of engraved, lamicoid type labels onto photocells, near motors and sensors, etc. This is in contrast to standard marking which is a permanent laminated printed label, or a laminated hanging tag. Engraved tags are standard on operator panel switches. TO TOP Fallen Bottle Sensor Sensors to detect fallen containers at the infeed and/or discharge of a machine, which will pause the unit. Benefit: prevents the jamming of containers and avoids larger jams, reducing downtime. TO TOP Film Application Jam Sensor Sensor which confirms that material is applied to the container and clears the application area in a timely manner. If it detects material longer than anticipated, the machine is paused. Benefit: quickly detects issues at point of application and allows for quick clearing, reducing the likelihood of large jams, minimizing downtime. TO TOP Film Feed Jam Sensor Confirms the timely and correct flow of materials around the cutting and feeding area of the machine. If material is detected for longer than anticipated, the machine is paused. Benefit: quickly detects issues at the cut and feed area and allows for quick clearing, reducing the likelihood of large jams, minimizing downtime. TO TOP Full Enclosure Complete machine enclosure with safety interlocked doors, sometimes built from Bosch components. Standard on larger machines, optional on smaller machines which have compact interlocked guards. Benefit: more comprehensive guarding that keeps operators further from moving parts. TO TOP Horizontal Perforator A system to put consumer perforation where the closure meets the container, allowing the separation of the tamper evident portion from the rest of the shrinksleeve label, which remains on the product. The perforation can be of a range of types in terms of "cut-to land" ratio, which determines its strength and ease of opening. Benefit: provides a tamper evident element to a full sleeve application. TO TOP Hot Stamp Imprinter Heat transfer, ribbon type imprinting system used to print date and/or lot code information on sleeve on the flat web, before application to the product. Benefit: allows for printing directly on sleeve eliminating the need for a separate code dating system, reducing line space. TO TOP Imprint Verification Sensor which confirms that an imprint of a certain graphic density was placed onto the sleeve; not character recognition, which would be done with a vision system. Benefit: provides early detection of issues with date/lot code hot stamp imprinter. Increases productivity by minimizing containers requiring rework. TO TOP Indexing Conveyors w/Fixtures Conveyor mechanically linked to the drive of the application machine through an indexer (gearbox which advances a specific number of degrees and therefore advances the belt a certain distance every cycle.) Used for applications where a product is fed, either manually or by a robotic device, into the fixture and then presented directly under the sleeve application point. Indexing conveyor application speeds are up to 100 packages per minute due to the issues of inertia when indexing a large mass. Benefit: provides special product handling for unusual applications requiring special positioning or sleeve underlap. TO TOP Inspection/Ejection Unit For verification of the presence and/or location of a tamper evident seal or label, system utilizes either the visible or ultraviolet light spectrums. Ejection unit moves the product in question off the production line onto an optional tray or customer-provided bin. Benefit: provides automatic inspection and confirmation of sleeve presence and/or placement, and greatly minimizing product that does not comply with acceptable criteria. Minimizes visual inspection and produces a higher quality product flow. TO TOP Keyed Run/Jog Switch Mounted on the operator control panel, this keyed switch limits the jog function to those with a key such as a maintenance person. Benefit: Locks out operators from misadjusting the machine, limits maintenance or machine adjustments to those authorized, and minimizes downtime by preventing incorrect adjustment. TO TOP Light Fixture in Main Electrical Panel Mounting of a florescent light fixture in large main electrical enclosure. Benefit: provides light for troubleshooting and maintenance within the main electrical enclosure. Not required for standard enclosures, even on large machines. Used only when enclosures are enlarged by additional hardware. TO TOP Line Pressure Relief Unit For lines, typically beverage or food, with large amounts of product backpressure. The pressure relief unit is typically a star wheel mounted on an electronically controlled brake. When the machine is in the pause mode the brake is engaged, holding back the excess line pressure from the infeed of the machine. Benefit: This reduces the effect of, and keeps the machine from being knocked out of adjustment by, excessive line pressure. TO TOP Low Air Pressure Switch Monitors the air pressure coming into the system and pauses the machine if pressure drops below a preset level. Benefit: insures systems that require air pressure, such as inspection/ejection or static eliminator, are able to run properly, having the required pressure. Detects utility flow issue and allows quick correction; minimizing downtime. TO TOP Low Material Sensor w/Beacon Sensor which reads the diameter of the material roll as it is consumed. Once a point close to the end is reached (this point is adjustable) a signal is sent to an indicating light which may be located on the control panel, touch screen, or light a beacon on top of the machine. Benefit: operator can be prepared to change material rolls, reducing downtime. TO TOP Material Out Sensor If an operator misses a "Low Material" indication and the roll is fully consumed, this sensor will pause the machine and stop the material just after it comes off the core, providing enough material to splice in the next roll. Benefit: Prevents the end of the material from running through the machine; minimizing the need to rethread the machine, reducing downtime in the event a roll runs out. TO TOP Motorized Height- Up/Down Motorizes the up/down movement of the machine head during product changeover. Benefit: saves time by motorizing an otherwise manual function, reducing changeover time and increasing productivity. TO TOP Motorized Height-w/Pre-Sets As an enhanced version of the item above, this system has preset positions so the machine head goes to the selected position for a given size container. Benefit: reduces changeover time further, reducing downtime. TO TOP Motorized Unwind Reel Provides for the motorized pay out of the material off the roll, controlled by a transducer or switches on a vertical slide assembly or sensor reading the web in a vacuum box. Benefit: provides an even web flow without backpressure, to optimize web flow and to minimize material jams, reducing downtime. TO TOP PLC Control (programmable logic controller) is standard on some models, optional on others. Benefit: PLC control enables certain additional control functions, data gathering and communications with a central line computer. TO TOP Power Transformers Make allowances for customer specified electrical voltage controls. Benefit: allows machine installation without providing different voltages, reducing costs. TO TOP Pre-shrink Unit Single or dual hot air guns, wired and integrated into machine functions, which apply precise amounts of hot air onto the just-applied tamper evident seal. Used when the band and closure are larger than the body of the package and there is no natural shoulder on which the band would rest (such as banding a tapered cup and lid). The heat guns shrink the band slightly, tacking it into position so it remains in place until reaching the shrink tunnel to complete the shrinking process. Benefit: produces consistently positioned tamper evident seals on difficult packages. TO TOP Remote Jog Jog switch on a coiled cord. Benefit: allows maintenance or operator to view various parts of the machine while activating the jog button for trouble shooting. TO TOP Safety Interlocks Switches which electrically interlock hinged covers. Benefit: protects operators and maintenance people from moving parts while machine is running and pauses the machine if covers are opened. TO TOP Scales and Gauge Blocks Graduated labels and mechanical devices used to speed changeovers and machine set ups. Benefit: reduces changeover and downtime, improving productivity. TO TOP Second Unwind Reel Additional reel station for the mounting of a second roll of sleeving material. Location may be under the conveyor or on the side of the machine. Benefit: provides for the staging of a new roll of material while the primary roll is being consumed, saving time during roll changes, reducing downtime and increasing productivity. TO TOP Separate Dual Reel Unwind Stand Remote welded stainless steel unit which holds two 24" unwind reels, low material sensors, material out sensor and splicing table. Separate from the machine frame, it can be parallel or perpendicular to the machine. Benefit: provides great flexibility in material unwind location for the convenience of the operators and supplying the system with consumable materials. TO TOP Servo Feed Motor Programmable and precise feed drive, standard on certain models, available as an upgrade on others, which performs fast and extremely accurate band feeding. Typically they are used for higher speed applications that require more accurate feeding than a clutch/brake (which is the standard on certain models). Benefit: Servo motors are extremely accurate and are brushless, requiring less maintenance than DC motors. TO TOP Shrink Tunnel Stainless steel chambers of various lengths and types of heat used to shrink the sleeves once they are applied to the package. Heat sources include convection hot air, radiant infra-red and steam. See specific model information for specifications and more details. TO TOP Sleeve Locating Rollers Also known as Band Locating Rollers, these are rubber disks mounted on variable speed motors which insure the label is fully seated down to the conveyor. Benefit: increase label application efficiency by assisting in placement. TO TOP Skidding and Wrapping For Shipment Standard method of preparation for domestic shipment. Heavy duty wooden skid is constructed specifically based on the systems dimensions, machinery is lagged to the skid with bolts so it will not shift in transit, and the system is then wrapped in transparent stretch wrap so the truckers and handlers can see the items being moved. Peripheral items and tooling are wrapped and boxed and securely mounted to the skid. Machinery is then shipped via air ride van lines, not common carrier. Benefit: equipment arrives in good condition ready for installation. TO TOP Solid Stainless Construction Machining internal plates of the machine from 304 stainless steel, rather than anodized aluminum. Stainless steel machine frame is standard. Benefit: in food or beverage environments solid stainless construction permits higher level of sanitation, and avoids any potential corrosion problems. Available only on certain models. TO TOP Splice Detection Ejection Upgrade As an upgrade to the inspection/ejection unit, this option is the additional sensor and associated logic to detect and eject material splices. Benefit: automatically purges from the line those containers with sleeving material splices. TO TOP Splice Detection Sensor Sensor mounted within head of the machine to detect splicing material within a roll of material. Can either pause the machine or sound an alarm. Benefit: permits the manual or automatic removal of splices within a roll of material or when a new roll is spliced into the machine, improving the quality of the packages and overall product quality. TO TOP Splice On-The-Fly Unwind Stand PDC unwind stand which in addition to having two reels, splicing table, low material and material out sensors, also has a festoon unwind system that provides a buffer of sleeving material to allow the machine to continue to operate at half speed during the splicing process (40-50 seconds). The festoon material is driven by a separate drive. The operator mounts the new roll of material on the empty reel and gets a Low Material signal before the first roll runs out. When the first roll ends, the machine goes into the splice mode. If necessary the machine is cut to half speed while the operator splices to the new roll of material. Accumulation system includes the festoon, material clamp, and all required sensors and logic. Benefit: allows roll changes while the machine is running, reducing downtime and increasing productivity. TO TOP Splicing Table Device that facilitates the splicing of the end of one roll into the beginning of the next. Standard on some models. Includes material holder, cutting guide and tape dispenser. Benefit: reduces splicing time and downtime. TO TOP Stainless Steel Covers 18 gauge stainless steel covers used to protect personnel from moving components and pinch points. Benefit: heavy duty, corrosion-resistant guarding. TO TOP Stainless Steel Frame PDC standard frame construction is 2.5" x 2.5" 304 stainless steel tubing which is welded for sanitary environmental standards such as in food, dairy and pharmaceutical plants. Benefit: long-lived, corrosion resistant machine frame built for high sanitary standards. TO TOP Stainless Steel Parts Package Also known as Washdown Package. Typically includes stainless steel timing screw drive or product handling, collars, fasteners and shafts. On smaller models includes stainless steel main electrical enclosure. Benefit: reduces potential for corrosion and is appropriate for higher sanitary levels. TO TOP Static Eliminator Utilizing either ionized air, or anti-static bars, this system dissipates the static electricity charge in the sleeving material which is the result of the sleeve converting or printing process. Benefit: allows material charged with static to run through the machinery and be correctly applied. Reduces downtime and rejected material; improves line efficiency and productivity. TO TOP Status Indicator Light Bank Multicolored stack light which indicates machine status and line conditions, such as: running normally, waiting for bottles, low material, material out, downstream jam, or customer specified conditions. Some sensors are optional. Benefit: provides visual indication of machine and production line status from a distance, contributing to higher line efficiencies. TO TOP Tear Tab Blades or Slit Tab Blades Available on certain models, cut off blades which produce a tab at the top of the sleeve for easy opening of the tamper evident seal. Benefit: a band configuration convenient for the consumer to grasp and open. TO TOP Timing Screw Drive Standard on most machines: the unit which holds and drives the timing screw, a helix with a pocket cut for a specific bottle profile which positively handles the container through the infeed, banding and discharge of the machine. Benefit: an extremely positive and robust product handling method which insures bottle location and correct timing, providing high machine efficiency and increased productivity. TO TOP Tool-less Changeover Conversion from one container format to another without the use of tools, or with the absolute minimum. Benefit: simplifies and speeds up changeover time, reducing downtime and increasing efficiency. TO TOP Touch Screen Interface Also known as HMI (human machine interface), has multiple screens of pushbuttons for machine sensors and speed controls, which can be pass-word protected at various levels. Connects to machine PLC and can be flexibly programmed. Benefit: provides state-of-the-art operator controls, flexibility and facilitates data gathering and performance tracking, optimizing asset utilization. TO TOP UL Approval of Electrical Panel Obtaining UL (Underwriters Laboratories) inspection and approval sticker on the main electrical panel and enclosure. Benefit: While not implying every individual component is UL approved, it assures compliance with UL manufacturing and quality standards. TO TOP Upstream Photo Eyes Also known as Choke Feed: two eyes which are mounted on the customer's conveyor upstream of the machine to monitor product flow. These eyes automatically pause the machine in the absence of containers and restart it once product arrives at the machine. The eyes feature time delays for both on and off functions and for fine tuning the machine in relation to the line operation. Benefit: prevents machine cycling when no product is present and insures non-round containers enter the machine without jamming. TO TOP READY TO SEE WHAT PDC CAN DO FOR YOU? SPEAK WITH US TO LEARN MORE Get the PDC Newsletter Be the first to find out about the latest in shrink sleeve labeling design and technology. Products Tamper Evident Banding Machinery Shrink Sleeve Labeling Machinery Shrink Tunnels Multipacking & Twin Packing Contract Sleeving Industries Food Beverage Pharmaceutical Dairy Beer, Wine and Spirits Personal Care Industrial/Household Resources eBooks Case Studies Videos Testimonials Blog In the Press Press Releases Events and Tradeshows Brochures & Catalogs Glossary of Terms About Us Why PDC Technology About Us Our Team History PDC Shrink Lab Contact Us Careers Customer Service and Technical Support © PDC International Corp. 2019 PDC shrink sleeve machinery and other systems are shipped