Why collation matters before shrink wrapping
Collation is the step where products are grouped into the correct bundle pattern before they enter the sleeve sealer. If the group is unstable or poorly spaced, the sealing and shrink tunnel stages will not produce a consistent pack.
For bottles, cans, cartons and trays, collation may involve product spacing, lane control, manual grouping or an automatic infeed arrangement. The correct choice depends on the product, speed and available space.
Lancing can help review the collation requirement as part of the complete sleeve sealing line, including the infeed, sealer, shrink tunnel and discharge handling.
What to confirm before buying
- Bottle and can collation.
- Carton and tray grouping.
- Sleeve sealer infeed planning.
- Integrated shrink tunnel discharge.
| Product arrival | Single lane, multiple lanes, manual loading or existing conveyor feed. |
|---|---|
| Bundle pattern | Pack count, rows, columns and orientation. |
| Stability | How the group behaves before and after film shrink. |
| Output | Required packs per minute and changeover frequency. |