What Heat Sealer?

by Jake Whitfield | Dec 19, 2017 | Product Information

A heat sealer machine (or bag sealer) is a device used to seal various types of
packaging and thermoplastic materials. There are different designs for different
sealing requirements.
When choosing a heat sealer, the first and most obvious question to ask is what
are you trying to seal?
Heat sealers are used to seal a wide variety of materials to suit many different
applications and projects.
Heat seal bags are hermetically sealed ensuring that your products are tamper
proof, airtight, waterproof and hygienically enclosed.
Often you will have a standard bag or pouch that will contain identical
monolayers. In other words just ‘single layer’ materials. Like simple plastic bags.
Other packaging like coffee bags or gusset pouches may have several layers
that need to be sealed at once. So, your sealer will need to be suitable for
laminated, multi layer materials.
Two types of heat ! Impulse sealer and constant
sealer
Impulse heat sealer

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Impulse sealer machines deliver heat in an impulse (or short interval).
They use a low voltage heating containing wires that have virtually no heat up
time. This allows you to get up to your desired temperature and seal in seconds.
The heating element then cools down but retains the pressure allowing the seal
to set.
This makes them economical to run as from a power perspective the power is
only used during the actual sealing process.
Usually these devices are used on packaging that contains identical thermos-
plastic films on all seal sides. This is usually a polythene material but not
necessarily as they can, and often are used for thinner gauge laminate materials.
Our most popular unit here is the ISZ hand held heat sealer. This professional,
portable machine can seal virtually any thermoplastic film safely and efficiently.
It’s lightweight and fast operation make it a perfect choice for the sealing of larger
or more awkwardly sized products.
Standard Impulse Sealers will suit most projects, being able to easily handle
polythene films up to 600 gauge or 150 microns. Typically though we find our
sealers can seal single layer films in excess of 300 microns quite easily.
If you require a standing unit then the range of HPL table top machines are our
most popular model here. It’s a fixed unit available in a variety of different sizes
complete with a cutter function as standard.
There are devices available for heavier gauge or multi layered polythene. As well
as this other material constructions like Nylon, Polypropylene, Polyurethane and
PVC can be suitable for an impulse sealer but we would advise a trial first.
All our impulse sealers have built in electronic timers so you can accurately
control the sealing cycle.
Some models go further with the addition of a specification timer that indicates
the seal cooling period. This feature allows you to maintain the quality and
consistency of seals even more accurately.
Constant heat sealer

A constant heat sealer machine will deliver heat in just that way, constantly! More
specifically this concept refers to a manual sealing machine whereby heat is
applied for as long as the operator compresses the sealing bars.
In other words you select the appropriate sealing temperature and clamp the seal
for as long as is necessary for the material to weld!
This is slightly different to an impulse sealer in that with an impulse machine the
only setting is ‘on & off’. You cannot adjust the temperature usually. The seal
time is pre-set by the operator. Usually between 1 & 10 seconds.
Constant machines do seem to be slightly better suited for heavy duty bag
sealing as you are able to take advantage of the higher temperature settings and
also time each seal. This makes ideal for industrial bag sealing. The WSZ is very
compatible with bulk bags, container liners, octabin packaging & gusset bags.
It is worth considering though that modern impulse heat sealing machines such
as the ISZ will match the performance of constant heat sealers in terms of seal
quality and strength.
To crimp or not to crimp? The crimp
sealer question.
The word crimp refers to the serrated seal pattern on some packaging machines.
Its primarily there to improve seal strength and avoid de lamination of any multi
layered materials.
This id often referred to as the crisp bag sealer. Or crimp heat sealer.
It’s the clients personal preference to have this or not.
The WSZ machine featured above is our most popular machine for this type of
heat sealing.
This hand held heat sealing machine features two serrated jaws and is suitable
for cellophane, waxed papers, barrier foils and other metallized or aluminium
laminates.
What material will you be sealing ?

Many sealers can seal different types of materials, but it is important remember
that some are not suitable for certain materials and different thicknesses.
Our range of heat sealers are market leading and will seal the majority of flexible
packaging materials and constructions. The best way to be certain is to send us
a sample for testing.
Polyethylene including HDPE, LLDPE and PE
PVC
Polyethylene Terephthalate or PT
Aluminium Foils
Metalized Polyester
Cellulose or Barrier Foils.
Foot operated bag sealer machines

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Our HPL range are all foot operated impulse sealers as standard.
A foot pedal allows the operator to complete the seal cycle ‘hands free’ whilst
safely allowing them to concentrate on positioning the packaging correctly. It is a
faster process as well.
The HPL is a professional machine that perfect for use in medical
and pharmaceutical packaging environments.
Well suited to the sealing of sterile barrier packaging films it
If you are looking for a standing sealer look into the V2A vertical stand and work
table options for further improved ergonomics.
This food grade, stainless steel construction allows for
For improves standing sealer
The
What size sealer will you need ?
Sealing machines have different widths to suit the width of the seal you want to
create. As a rule, choose a sealer that is between 20mm and 50mm wider than
the width of your packaging.
This just gives you more maneuverability as the packaging can easily be
positioned without overlapping the edges of the machine.
Our heat sealing machines start at 300mm width all the way up to 1000mm.
These sizes will suit most projects but bespoke widths can be made to order.
Rotary heat sealers

Rotary foil bag sealers are usually used for laminated materials made up of

multiple layers of thermoplastic film.
These can have different mechanical properties and melting points depending on
the construction.
Laminate Foils, coated papers, cellulose films, cellophane and polypropylene
films will often require a constant seal.
Our devices all have temperature controllers to keep the seal bars at the desired
and precise temperature.
With constant sealing the inner layer is sealed without any defect to the backing
material.
Which is best? An impulse or a rotary heat
sealer?

In general heat sealers can be divided up into a couple of categories. On the one
hand you have the impulse sealers which often feature a jaw or clamp in order to
make the seal. They require a manual operation.
As touched upon before the operator will place the bag between the heated bars,
compress the jaw and wait a few seconds depending on the material. The bars
and then lifted and the seal is then allowed to cool.
Impulse heat sealers are available in both table top and hand held formats.
A rotary heat sealer works slightly differently.
Here the packaging pouch is fed through a sealer either from the left or right side.
A roller belt or band feeds the pouch between the sealing bars allowing heat and
pressure to be applied.
This creates a consistent and optimal seal quality!
When making a decision you need to consider what you are sealing and what the
requirements of the finished seal are.
If for example the bag needs to be kept completely sterile you should gravitate
towards a rotary heat sealer. If not an impulse sealer machine may be sufficient.
When considering a impulse sealer it is important to remember that process of
sealing pouches and packaging essentially involves a human, and so is exposed
to human error.
Somebody must make the decision as to how long the pouch is compressed and
so runs the risk of not allowing adequate time for an optimal seal.
Often this is not visible to the naked eye.
The pouch may hold the contents but the seal is poor with small gaps that
compromise sterility and lead to defected product.
A rotary heat sealer eliminates this risk and the pressure that is applied remains
consistent and and allows for consistency.
Is a band Sealer the same as a rotary sealer?

Essentially yes! But it depends on the specification. Band Sealer machines are
often to referred to as rotary band sealer machines or continuous sealer
machines.
They feature a motorized belt or band as opposed to roller trays which speed up
the sealing time. This makes them ideal for mid to high volume sealing.
Most models can seal in excess of 50 pouches per minute depending on size.
They can feed from right to left or left to right. A vertical continuous band sealer
allows the pouches to be sealed from top to bottom.
What about traceability?
For projects undertaken in a healthcare and pharmaceutical setting it is very
likely you will require a rotary heat sealer. In addition to the improved and
consistent seal quality you also have the option to print information on one side
of the seal.
Many of these sealers feature a self contained printer which can print key
information such as who made the seal and the and at what date and time. You
may wish to add additional information such as the expiry date and the
department responsible. Here trace ability is ensured in the event a mistake is
made.
One example would be if a patient has contracted an infection during a surgical
procedure. It may be determined the cause was a pair of contaminated scissors.
The hospital can then trace back to where and when that particular instrument
was sterilsed and sealed. The underlying cause could be anything from a faulty
sealing bar to an incorrect setting but having the information printed on the
packaging allows for trace ability & accountability.
Do I need a heat sealer with cutter or
without?
Heat sealers with cutter knives are for those who wish to make their own custom
sized bags.
Often with lay flat tubing or another polythene material. Here you just measure
the material to size and cut off any excess by closing the jaw and sliding the easy
to use cutter blade.
Our most popular model here is the standalone table mounted HPL 450 or 630m.
Which are the best Heat sealers for
plastic bags?
As above it will depend on the material of your packaging, the environment and
the volume of sealing you need to do.
If you decide on a table top heat sealer the HPL 300 BMS & HPL 500 BMS are
excellent mid range options. These are impulse bar sealers that feature
interlocking magnets to ensure perfect seals for every seal.  Available in both
300mm & 500mm cutting lengths.
A good choice for high volume sealing would be the HPL 450, 630 & 1000 AS
machines.
If you decide on a hand held heat sealer the
What is a barrier bag?
A barrier bag is a packaging format that contains non permeable material like
aluminium foil or nylon. This type of packaging is ideal for goods that will be
transported or stored long term.
A 3 side seal flat pouch is the most common barrier bag format. As well
Usually these are 3, 4 or 5 ply (layer) materials. This gives the packaging a low
moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) when sealed optimally. You can also
include desiccant bags or silica gel sachets to further increase product life span.
When packaged properly goods can be stored without defect for years.
Why are Polyethylene and Polypropylene
bags not ideal for long term storage?
Unlike the barrier bags mentioned above Polyethylene and Polypropylene based
materials are porous. This means that regardless of thickness or gauge they will
allow moisture, oxygen & gas into the bag over time.
What are the benefits of vacuum
sealing?
There are numerous benefits to vacuum sealing. One is space saving. Once a
product is vacuum sealed the packaging forms itself around the product to fit the
shape, this minimizes storage space. Others include protection from
contamination and extension of shelf life. Once the oxygen from the enclosure is
extracted fresh goods last longer.
What is Modified Atmosphere Packaging
(MAP) or Nitrogen Purge?
Modified Atmosphere Packaging is used to improve the shelf life of certain
products. Mainly foodstuffs like fresh meat & fish or coffee & teas. A Nitrogen
purge (or flush) can often be added as an optional extra to many vacuum
chamber and vacuum impulse sealers as it removes moisture and harmful gases
from the bag.
Decreasing the products exposure to atmospheric hazards like this increases
shelf life.
What is the best way to determine which
heat sealer is most appropriate and the
settings that I will need?
If you are unsure which heat sealer is most suitable for your project we
recommend that you send a sample pouch or piece of material for testing. In
addition if you have any more information like a packaging specification this is
always helpful, most manufacturers will advise on the approximate temperatures
for the sealing of each film. It provides us with a good starting point in order to
conduct some sealing tests.
If you prefer you can do this yourself once you receive the machine. Generally
we recommend that you start off with a seal time of 2 – 3 seconds at 150
degrees Celsius. Then let the seal cool for 2x or 3x the heat time. This should
give you a good indication of weather to increase or decrease the temperature &
sealing time.
Are there any materials that cannot be
sealed by Valdamark Heat Sealers?
Our heat sealers are not able to seal denim, vinyl, fiberglass or cellophane.
Does Valdamark provide an after sales
service and replacement parts?
Yes. Valdamark supplies from stock a range of HAWO spare parts including
those for the WSZ & ISZ models. Specifically this includes the most commonly
used consumable parts like PTFE (Teflon) strips as well the heating elements,
thermostats and welding bands.
Hawo Heat Sealers have a warranty returns rate of less that 0.05% of total sales.
In the unlikely event your heat sealer does fail get in touch with us first to discuss
this. If troubleshooting indicates a defect we will happily take the heat sealer back
under warranty.
Does Valdamark calibrate any of the
heat sealers?
Yes we do!  We offer a simple and convenient calibration service for all our
medical sealer machines. We understand that down time is an important
consideration for clients who rely on their machine for production continuously.
We are flexible in delivering our calibration service and can often do this on site
when arranged prior.
Our maintenance and calibration services are delivered in full compliance with
BS EN 868-5 & ISO 11607-2. For audit assurance we issue a fully traceable
certificate confirming seal strength and integrity.

How to choose and evaluate the correct

Industrial Vacuum Sealer

Vacuum Packaging refers to the process of removing the air from a bag, in order to
preserve a material/product. The main goal of Vacuum Packaging is to increase a
product’s shelf life. The most efficient way to Vacuum Package any product is by using
an industrial vacuum sealer. During a normal vacuum cycle, a Vacuum Sealer will use
an integrated pump to remove a high percentage of the air contained inside a bag.

In order to increase the shelf life, the important thing is to reduce the oxygen levels to at
least 0.05% inside the bag. Air is composed of 78.03% Nitrogen and 20.95% Oxygen
(with the other 1.02% composed of Argon and Carbon Dioxide). Nitrogen is an inert gas
that will not affect any food or pharmaceutical products.

The biggest problem is the Oxygen inside the bag. Oxygen will increase the growth of
bacteria, fungi and the oxidative effect on lipids. Oxygen will allow the products to age
and will decrease the shelf life significantly. By using an Industrial Vacuum Sealer, the
oxygen levels can be decreased to the necessary 0.05%, increasing the shelf life by at
least 30% in most food products.

Not every Industrial Vacuum Sealer applies to every application. There are different
models and types of Vacuum Sealers available, and each one of those sealers has
different features that can affect the way a production line works. For example, a
Chamber Sealer will take a longer amount of time to Vacuum Package a product than a
Nozzle Sealer will, but a Chamber Sealer will work much more efficiently with a liquid or
a powder.

Nozzle Sealer vs. Chamber Sealer

Both the Nozzle Sealer and Chamber Sealer will be able to Vacuum Seal a package
with a solid product and have the same results, but each machine type will offer a
number of unique number of benefits to a production line. A detailed description of each
individual machine type follows.

Nozzle Sealer

Also known as a snorkel sealer,  this type of machine will provide you with a faster
vacuum cycle and a higher amount of control over the bag. All Nozzle Vacuum Sealers
are foot pedal operated and allow the user to hold the bag in place during a Vacuuming
Cycle. Most nozzle sealers use an integrated Venturi Vacuum Pump that has no moving
parts and does not need any regular maintenance. This machine is widely used in the
packaging of coffee beans and solid food products.

In a Nozzle Vacuum Sealer, the pneumatic cylinders that open the jaws, the cylinder
that moves the nozzle and the vacuum pump require a continuous supply of dry
compressed air to work. Essentially these machines require an air compressor that can
achieve a pressure of 120 psi and provide a continuous supply of at least 7 CFM of dry
compressed air to work. The use of compressed air and the Venturi Vacuum Pump
allows the Nozzle type units to be faster than the Chamber type units.

Nozzle sealers are foot pedal operated and the majority of them use a Programmable
Logic Controller (PLC). The PLC allows for the machine to be password protected, and
for different “recipes” (settings) to be saved on the machine, in case the user has
different bags to Vacuum Package.  The PLC also makes it much easier to program the
machine by using a digital display.

A Nozzle Sealer Vacuuming Cycle would have the following steps: The pneumatic
cylinders in the machine will open the jaws of the machine and the Nozzle will come
forward. At this point the user will introduce the Nozzle inside the Bag, and place the
bag over the bottom jaw of the machine. Once the bag is in place, the user will then
begin a cycle by pressing the Foot Pedal Switch.
At that point the pneumatic cylinders will bring the jaws down and the Nozzle Sealer will
begin vacuuming the bag. Once the vacuuming has been complete, either by time or
pressure, the Nozzle will retract, and the bag will be sealed in place. After sealing has
occurred there will a Dwell/Cool time, so that the seal can set on the bag. The
pneumatic cylinders will then open the jaws releasing the bag. The cycle will then be
completed.

The Cycle described above would be completed in approximately 10 seconds, using a

10” x 16” Mylar laminated bag with rice. If Gas Flushing was included into the cycle, it
would add an extra 3 to 4 seconds in time to the Cycle. With that in mind we can
calculate an approximate estimate of the amount of bags that can be Vacuum
Packaged in an hour. With a basic Nozzle type sealer, it is possible to vacuum package
at least 200 bags within an hour (Ex: 10” X 16” bag). 

While vacuuming with a Nozzle Sealer one the biggest benefits the user will find is the
amount of control they have on where the bag will be sealed and how evenly the
product will be distributed inside the bag. By using a Foot Pedal Switch, the users have
their hands free to hold the bag and vacuum it for as much as they want to.

Some of the other benefits of the Nozzle sealers include:

-Ease of access to controls in the machine (most Industrial Grade Nozzle Sealers have
an easy to use Programmable Logic Controller)
-The ability to use the machine as just a sealer (In case the user want to cut and seal
custom sized bags),
-To Vacuum and Seal any size of bag even if the jaws are smaller than the bag (the
user would seal a portion of the bag and the Vacuum seal the rest).

Some of the disadvantages of the Nozzle sealers include:

-Only possible to vacuum and seal one bag per cycle unless you have multiple nozzles
-Operators will typically be required to hold the product and manually adjust pouches
every cycle
-Will normally require a separate compressed air source connected to the machine at all
times
-Powders and ground products are detrimental to the operation of the machine and will
get trapped in the air hose assemblies
-If your product fits very close to the top of the bag the nozzle may come in contact or
damage it

Chamber Sealer

This type of sealer is capable of vacuuming a higher percentage of oxygen from a bag
at a much slower pace. A Chamber Sealer is capable of removing enough oxygen to
lower the Oxygen level to 0.02%. Chamber Sealers should always be used with
extremely oxygen sensitive products.

Chamber Sealers are not foot pedal operated, instead they have sensors that activate
once the lid of the machine is closed. These sealers use an internal Vacuuming method,
the user has to place the entire bag on the inside of the Sealer.

The Chamber type sealers have an integrated oil pump that removes all of the air inside
the chamber and the bag at the same time. This is an oil pump that does not require a
source of compressed air. The biggest difference between a Chamber Sealer and a
Nozzle Sealer is the way the vacuum pressure is applied to the bag. In a Nozzle Sealer
the change in pressure occurs on the inside of the bag. In a Chamber Sealer the
change in pressure occurs on the inside of the chamber, which means the pressure
changes on the inside and outside of the bag at the same time.

A Vacuuming Cycle on a Chamber Sealer would have the following steps: A hydraulic
arm will open the lid on the chamber sealer. At this point the user would place the bag
on the inside of the chamber, with the open part of the bag on top of the sealing bar.
The user will then proceed to close the lid of the sealer, and the Vacuuming Cycle will
begin. The Vacuum Pump will activate and will evacuate all the air inside the chamber
and the bag at the same time.

The amount of air removed will depend on the setting specified by the user, either by
time or pressure. Once the specified vacuum time/pressure is achieved the sealer will
either Gas flush the bag or seal it (This will depend on the way the machine is
programmed by the user). Most Industrial Chamber Sealer with seal the bag twice to
insure the seal is strong enough to hold the vacuum. After the bag has been sealed,
there will be a Dwell/Cool time, so that the seal sets in place. Once the Cycle has been
completed the sealer will then pump air into the chamber, bringing the pressure back to
normal inside the chamber and opening the lid. 

The Cycle described above would be completed in approximately 20 seconds, using a

10” x 10” Mylar laminated bag with rice, with a machine that has a 14” x 14” Chamber. If
Gas Flushing was included into the cycle, it would add an extra 5 seconds in time to the
Cycle. We can then estimate that this machine will be able to Vacuum Package
approximately 160 bags per Hour (Ex: 10” X 10”).

Some of the benefits of the Chamber sealers include:

-Greater vacuum percentage (lower oxygen) as compared to a nozzle type sealer

-A larger seal bar (or more than one) will allow the operator to vacuum and seal multiple
pouches at the same time resulting in greater productivity
-Little to no operator involvement after the lid has been closed and the cycle has started
-Options for percentage vacuum will allow for partial vacuum if making an object
immobile is your goal
-The compressor is built-in so all you need is an electrical outlet
 

Some of the disadvantages of the Chamber sealers include:

-More expensive than a conventional nozzle type sealer

-Head to head with the nozzle type the chamber is slower
-Heavier and more difficult to move should you have multiple production areas

What to consider before purchasing a machine:

-How many pouches will you be sealing per shift?

-How large is each pouch?
-What is the pouch made from?
-How much space do you have available for another machine?
-Will this be a tabletop application or a free-standing unit with a footprint?
-Do you plan on ramping up production in the very near future?
-What is your budget at this time for this piece of capital equipment?
-What is the product you are packaging? 

Options to consider:

 Gas flush:  Used to introduce an inert gas in order to preserve products and
minimize the amount of oxygen ingress through the film.
 Typical applications may include:  potato chips or snacks that are particularly
susceptible to oxygen or water vapor
 Soft Air:  Fills the chamber with air at a much slower rate to prevent wrinkling of
the product
 Higher voltage:  May be required for your facility
 Cut off seal wire:  if you are using one size pouch for multiple pouches this may
help remove excess material after vacuum and seal cycle
 Multiple nozzles:  Results in increased productivity when used in conjunction with
an adjustable shelf
 Bi-Active Seal:  Necessary when sealing MylarFoil or unusually thick pieces of
material together