Shrink Tunnels

Heat shrink tunnels shrink film evenly around sealed packs while they ride through on a conveyor. We carry Maripak Diamond tunnels in single-chamber, extended-length and double-chamber versions with 18″ to 59″ belts, and AIE infrared tunnels for smaller packs. All work behind L-bar, side and PE sealers.

19 products

How to Choose a Heat Shrink Tunnel

The tunnel decides how the finished pack looks. A tunnel that is too small or too weak leaves loose film and wrinkles; a well-matched tunnel gives a tight, clear wrap at line speed. Size it from the pack, the film and the speed of the sealer in front of it.

Belt width and opening height

The pack must fit the conveyor belt and the tunnel opening with room to spare. Maripak Diamond tunnels come with 18″ to 59″ belts; the Diamond T-45 has an 18″ belt and a 10″ opening (16″ optional), and models from the T-80 have 16″ openings. The AIE infrared tunnels have openings from 14″ × 6″ to 16″ × 12″.

Single, extended or double chamber

A single chamber suits most retail packs at moderate speed. An extended-length chamber, as on the Diamond EL T-45, keeps the pack in the heat longer at the same belt speed. A double chamber, as on the Diamond DC T-60, adds heating length for faster lines and thicker film.

Matching the sealer

The tunnel must keep up with the sealer. A semi-automatic L-bar at 10–15 packs per minute works with a compact tunnel; automatic L-bar and side sealers need longer or double-chamber tunnels. Our guide How to Choose an L-Bar Sealer and Shrink Tunnel covers this in detail.

Airflow and heat control

Diamond tunnels have the heater and fan in the bottom of the tunnel. Adjustable flaps and channels direct the hot air, and the conveyor speed sets the dwell time. AIE infrared tunnels heat from 4 sides with infrared tubes and separate upper and lower temperature controllers.

Conveyor belt

Standard belts suit most packs. Maripak offers wire mesh, Teflon mesh or plastic mesh belts as alternatives, for example for small or delicate products. For PE bundles, ironing rollers and a cooling fan at the exit are available.

Power

Shrink tunnels need significant power. Diamond tunnels run on 220 V or 480 V 3-phase power with ratings up to about 52 kW maximum; the AIE-S3515 uses 5 kW at 220 V. Check the voltage and amperage with your electrician before ordering. No compressed air is required.

Typical setups

Semi-automatic L-bar plus compact tunnel: a Maripak LMC with a Diamond T-45 or T-60, or an AIE L-bar with the AIE infrared tunnel. Automatic L-bar or side sealer plus long tunnel: an RLS e-Pro or IMPACK with an extended or double-chamber Diamond tunnel. Wide packs: T-100 to T-150 tunnels with 39″ to 59″ belts behind wide side sealers. In each case, size the tunnel to the widest pack and the highest line speed you plan for.

Maintenance

Keep the conveyor belt and the airflow channels clean, because film residue and dust reduce airflow and affect the shrink result. Check the belt for wear and replace it when it no longer runs straight. Let the tunnel finish its automatic cool-down before switching off the main power, so the belt is not damaged by heat.

Energy and safety

Double-layer insulation on Diamond tunnels reduces energy use, and an automatic cool-down to 165 °F before switch-off protects the belt. An exhaust hood is available as an option.

Delivery and installation

Maripak machines ship by freight from Maripak USA in Allentown, Pennsylvania, usually crated on a pallet. Plan a delivery with a loading dock or forklift, or ask for a liftgate delivery, and check door widths on the way to the installation spot. Installation, start-up and operator training by Maripak technicians can be quoted with the machine. AIE tunnels ship from City of Industry, California.

Compare the models

ModelBrandTypeKey specs
AIE Infrared Shrink TunnelAIEInfrared tunnelOpenings 14" × 6" to 16" × 12"; Infrared tubes, heats from 4 sides; Up to 20 ft/min (AIE-S3515)
Maripak CLS Compact Automatic L-Sealer and Shrink Tunnel CombinationMaripakL-sealer + tunnel combinationSeal area 17" × 18" + tunnel; Conveyor up to 66 ft/min; 220 V single-phase, 75 A
Maripak Diamond DC T-100 Double-Chamber Heat Shrink TunnelMaripakDouble-chamber tunnel39" belt; Double chamber, casters with brakes; 480 V three-phase
Maripak Diamond DC T-120 Double-Chamber Heat Shrink TunnelMaripakDouble-chamber tunnelDouble chamber; Casters with brakes, 34" working height; 220 V three-phase, 165 A
Maripak Diamond DC T-150 Double-Chamber Heat Shrink TunnelMaripakDouble-chamber tunnelDouble chamber; 220 V (195 A) or 400 V (76 A), 3-phase; Casters with brakes
Maripak Diamond DC T-45 Double-Chamber Heat Shrink TunnelMaripakDouble-chamber tunnel18" belt, 10" door; Double chamber, 35 kW max.; 220 V three-phase, 72 A
Maripak Diamond DC T-60 Double-Chamber Heat Shrink TunnelMaripakDouble-chamber tunnel24" belt, 10" door; Double chamber, 43 kW max.; 220 V three-phase, 88 A
Maripak Diamond DC T-80 Double-Chamber Heat Shrink TunnelMaripakDouble-chamber tunnel31" belt, 16" door; Double chamber, 52 kW max.; 220 V three-phase, 103 A
Maripak Diamond EL T-45 Extended-Length Heat Shrink TunnelMaripakExtended-length tunnel18" belt, 10" door; Extended length, 28 kW max.; 220 V three-phase, 72 A
Maripak Diamond EL T-60 Extended-Length Heat Shrink TunnelMaripakExtended-length tunnel24" belt, 10" door; Extended length, 35 kW max.; 480 V three-phase, 55 A
Maripak Diamond T-100 Heat Shrink TunnelMaripakSingle-chamber tunnel39" belt, 16" door; Single chamber, 35 kW max.; 480 V three-phase, 60 A
Maripak Diamond T-120 Heat Shrink TunnelMaripakSingle-chamber tunnel47" belt, 16" door; Single chamber, 36 kW max.; 480 V three-phase, 65 A
Maripak Diamond T-150 Heat Shrink TunnelMaripakSingle-chamber tunnel59" belt, 16" door; Single chamber, 43 kW max.; 480 V three-phase, 75 A
Maripak Diamond T-45 Heat Shrink TunnelMaripakSingle-chamber tunnel18" belt, 10" door (16" optional); Up to 98 ft/min, 0–500 °F; 220 V three-phase, 51 A
Maripak Diamond T-60 Heat Shrink TunnelMaripakSingle-chamber tunnel24" belt, 10" door (16" optional); Single chamber, 21 kW max.; 220 V three-phase, 75 A
Maripak Diamond T-80 Heat Shrink TunnelMaripakSingle-chamber tunnel31" belt, 16" door; Single chamber, 34 kW max.; 480 V three-phase, 50 A
Maripak SYMPACK 35 Side Sealer and Shrink Tunnel CombinationMaripakSide sealer + tunnel combinationSide sealer + tunnel, 14" belt; Up to 98 ft/min, packs up to 7" high; 220–240 V three-phase
Maripak TMC Pro 5844-M L-Bar Sealer and Shrink Tunnel CombinationMaripakL-sealer + tunnel combinationSeal area 23" × 17" + tunnel; 10–12 packs/min; 220 V single-phase, 50 A
Maripak TMC Pro 8065-M L-Bar Sealer and Shrink Tunnel CombinationMaripakL-sealer + tunnel combinationSeal area 32" × 26" + tunnel; 10–12 packs/min; 220 V three-phase, 40 A

Use the L-Bar Sealer & Shrink Tunnel Selector to match sealer and tunnel. See L-Bar Sealers, Side Sealers and Conveyors.

Related:L-Bar SealersSide SealersShrink BundlersShrink PackagingMaripakHow to Choose a Shrink Tunnel

Shrink Tunnels FAQ

How do I size a shrink tunnel?

Start with your largest pack: the belt must be wider and the opening taller than the pack, with some room around it. Then check the line speed of your sealer. Faster lines and thicker film need a longer heating zone, such as an extended or double-chamber tunnel.

What is the difference between single and double chamber tunnels?

A double-chamber tunnel has two heating chambers in a row, which gives the pack more time in the heat at the same belt speed. It suits faster lines and thicker film. A single-chamber tunnel is enough for many retail packs at moderate speeds and takes less floor space.

What power does a shrink tunnel need?

Most Maripak Diamond tunnels need 220 V or 480 V 3-phase power, with ratings up to about 52 kW maximum depending on the model. The AIE-S3515 infrared tunnel uses 5 kW at 220 V. Check the exact requirement on each product page with your electrician.

Do shrink tunnels need compressed air?

No. Maripak Diamond tunnels and AIE infrared tunnels work without compressed air. They need electrical power for the heaters, the fan and the conveyor. The sealer in front of the tunnel may have its own air requirement, so check that on the sealer's product page as well.

Can a tunnel be used with PE bundling film?

Yes, with the right setup. Maripak offers ironing rollers and a cooling fan at the tunnel exit for PE-wrapped packages. Maripak Multimac PE shrink bundlers come with their own tunnel, so they do not need a separate one. Ask us which setup fits your bundle size and line speed.

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