What Are the Different Types of Flow Wrappers and Their Benefits?

When exploring packaging solutions, it’s easy to assume all flow wrappers are the same. In reality, the technology comes in several key variations, each designed to excel at different tasks. Choosing the right type of flow wrapper for your product is crucial for maximising efficiency, ensuring product integrity, and getting the best return on your investment. At Record Packaging, we work with businesses every day to identify the perfect machine for their specific needs.

Rotary Motion Flow Wrappers

This is the most common type of flow wrapper, characterised by a rotating jaw system that creates the cross-seal.

• How They Work: As products move along the conveyor, the rotating sealing jaws make a continuous motion, grabbing the film and creating a seal in a smooth, fluid action.
• Best For: High-speed packaging of regular-shaped products that are firm and robust. Think of items like chocolate bars, biscuits, and snack bars.
• Key Benefits:
  • High Speed: Rotary motion machines, such as the Record Jaguar, are renowned for their incredible speed and high throughput, making them ideal for high-volume production lines.
  • Continuous Motion: The smooth, continuous sealing action is perfect for maintaining a steady, uninterrupted flow of products.

Box Motion Flow Wrappers

Also known as Long Dwell or Reciprocating Jaw flow wrappers, these machines use a different sealing mechanism.

• How They Work: The jaws move in a “box” or reciprocating motion, clamping down on the film for a longer period of time before releasing it. This extended dwell time is crucial for creating strong, hermetic seals.
• Best For: Products that are irregularly shaped, delicate, or require a very tight, airtight seal. This includes fresh produce, bakery items like croissants, and products in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP).
• Key Benefits:
  • Hermetic Seals: The long dwell time allows heat to fully penetrate thicker films, creating robust, airtight seals that are vital for extending the shelf life of perishable goods.
  • Flexibility: The PFM Levante is a prime example of a Box Motion machine’s versatility. It can handle a huge variety of product sizes and shapes, with features that minimise film waste and simplify changeovers.
  • Gentle Handling: The slower, more controlled sealing process is much kinder to delicate products, preventing damage or crushing.

High-Speed Flow Wrappers (Full-Servo)

While not a separate category, these machines represent the pinnacle of flow wrapping technology, often combining the best of both Rotary and Box Motion systems with advanced automation.

• How They Work: Full-servo machines use individual motors on each axis of the machine (infeed, film pull, and sealing jaws) to provide precise, independent control. This allows for incredible speed and accuracy.
• Best For: Any application where maximum speed, precision, and automation are required.
• Key Benefits:
  • Maximum Efficiency: Machines like the Record Panda offer superior speed, minimal film waste, and rapid changeover times, significantly boosting overall production efficiency.
  • Diagnostic Capabilities: Servo technology allows for advanced diagnostics and predictive maintenance, reducing the risk of unexpected downtime.

“The choice between a Rotary, Box Motion, or a full-servo machine is about finding the right balance of speed, seal quality, and product handling. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Our job is to help our customers navigate these options to find the perfect piece of equipment that will serve their business now and into the future.”

— Robert Murphy, Sales Director, Record Packaging Systems