When it comes to shrink wrapping equipment, the terminology can sometimes be confusing. You may have come across the term “automatic intermittent motion side equipment” and wondered exactly what it means and whether it’s the right choice for your business.
Simply put, an automatic intermittent motion side sealer is a type of shrink wrap machine that pauses briefly to seal each product before moving it forward. Think of it as the “stop-and-seal” approach to packaging .
How It Works: The Stop-and-Seal Mechanism
Unlike continuous motion machines that seal on the fly, intermittent motion side sealers operate with a simple rhythm:
- Products move forward on the conveyor until they reach the sealing position
- A brief pause occurs while the sealing bar descends to create a clean cross seal
- The cycle repeats as sealed products move toward the shrink tunnel
This start-stop action gives the machine its “intermittent” name. Each product receives individual attention during the sealing process, resulting in consistent, high-quality seals every time .
Why Choose an Intermittent Motion Side Sealer?
1. Exceptional Flexibility
If your product mix changes frequently, an intermittent motion side sealer is your best friend. These machines excel at handling products of different shapes and sizes without complicated adjustments . Whether you’re wrapping small boxes one day and larger items the next, the machine adapts easily.
2. Lower Initial Investment
For businesses watching their capital equipment budget, intermittent motion sealers offer a more affordable entry point into automated shrink wrapping compared to continuous motion systems .
3. Perfect for Short Production Runs
Seasonal products, promotional items, or custom orders—if your production runs tend to be shorter, the flexibility of an intermittent machine makes economic sense. You’re not sacrificing efficiency for variety .
4. Handles Varying Product Lengths
One of the standout features is the ability to process products of different lengths without stopping for changeovers. The machine automatically detects product length and adjusts accordingly .
Key Features to Look For
Modern intermittent motion side sealers come equipped with features that enhance performance and ease of use:
Performance Specifications
To give you a better idea of what to expect, here are typical specifications for automatic intermittent motion side sealers:
- Production Speed: Up to 25-40 packages per minute
- Conveyor Speed: 100 feet per minute
- Sealing Width: Ranges from 20″ to 39″ depending on model
- Product Height Capacity: Up to 8.6″
- Film Compatibility: Works with most commercial grade films including Polyolefin, PVC, and LDPE
Ideal Applications and Industries
Intermittent motion side sealers are particularly well-suited for:
E-commerce fulfillment centers that handle diverse product sizes daily
Seasonal food packagers who need flexibility for changing product lines
Contract packagers serving multiple clients with different requirements
Industrial applications including construction materials, chemicals, and cleaning products
Comparing to Continuous Motion Systems
Understanding the difference between intermittent and continuous motion helps in making the right choice:
Making the Right Choice for Your Business
Before selecting an intermittent motion side sealer, ask yourself these questions:
What’s your daily production volume? If you’re running moderate volumes with frequent changeovers, intermittent motion is ideal.
Do you package many different product sizes? The flexibility of intermittent machines makes them perfect for mixed production.
What’s your budget timeframe? While continuous machines offer higher speed, intermittent models provide faster ROI for many businesses due to lower initial investment.
How important is floor space? Intermittent motion sealers typically have a smaller footprint than continuous systems.