How to Shop for an Impulse Sealer or Constant Heat Sealer

Packaging Sealers are machines used in the packaging industry. Models range from Impulse Hand Sealers, Foot Operated Sealers, Tabletop Sealers, and Constant Heat Sealers. We will discuss the differences between these models and their applications. In general, most sealers cost a few hundred dollars.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A Budget
• Package Dimensions (the largest size package or product to be sealed)

1. What are you trying to seal? Are you sealing books, gifts, food? You will need to know the largest size package or product you will be sealing in order to calculate the length of sealer you need. Take note of the longest side of the package (width or length) and the height. Add the 2 numbers together. Then add 2’’. This is the minimum size length seal bar you need.
2. Impulse Sealers are available in different sizes including seal lengths of: 4'', 8'', 12'', 16'', 18'', 20'', 24'', and even custom seal bar lengths.
3. Say you run a Print Shop company and want to seal notebooks. Assume that you are sealing an 8.5’’ x 11’’ notebook that is 1/4’’ in thickness. You should choose an Impulse Sealer with a 14’’ length at a minimum. (11” plus 1/4’’ plus 2’’ equals 13 1/4’’). Since there is no such sealer with a 13 1/4’’ seal bar length, you need to choose the next longer seal length (which is 14’’).
4. Now you need to know what type of material you are sealing. Impulse sealers are perfect for sealing: polyethylene, polyurethane, polyvinylchloride, polypropylene, pliofilm, Kel-F, polyflex, mylar, P.V.A., tivac, saran, nylon, and all other heat sealable materials.
   
   Constant heat sealers are excellent for such materials as polycello films, humidity-proof cellophane film, polyethylene film, aluminum foil coated bags, gusset bags and even such materials as PVC, foil and surlyn, Mylar or bubble pack.
5. Based on the material you are using to seal your package, you can now choose either the Impulse Sealer or a Constant Heat Sealer.
6. The next step is to find out the thickness of the material you are sealing. If the material is too thick, say 20 mil, make sure to choose a sealer with a Seal Thickness of at least 20 mil. You do not want to buy a sealer rated for 6 mil only to find out it cannot seal a 20 mil bag!
7. After you know the bag/material thickness, look at the seal width. Many sealers have a seal width of either 2mm, 5mm, 10mm, 15mm, and more.
8. Foot Operated Impulse Sealers Finally, you have the option to choose from a Tabletop Sealer or Foot Operated Sealer. Tabletop Sealers and Foot Operated Sealers are available in manual and automatic modes. If you need more automated or heavy duty production then go with an automatic sealer. If you have a small volume of packaging then go with a manual sealer.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider national brands such as AIE (American International Electric)