The heat-shrink film used for packaging, ground marking, as well as wintering and working on ships, must be handled with the appropriate tools. They have been designed so that the temperature allows the film to be worked without damaging it, without piercing it of course, and to provide the ideal lightness and manoeuvrability for the user’s comfort. That’s why you should prefer tools dedicated to shrink, rather than the use of a simple soldering lamp.
The ergonomic design of the tools dedicated to shrink
The heat marking guns have been developed with ergonomics in mind for the professionals who handle these tools all day long. When you need to heat the shrink film around a pallet, an aircraft engine, furniture or a boat, you need great manoeuvrability.
A heat marking gun, such as the Hornet 11601 from Express, provides a size and weight that allows you to work in any position and for a long time. You won’t get the same flexibility using a soldering lamp.
The heat marking gun has an ergonomic non-slip handle that ensures a good grip. Start-up is quick and easy thanks to its piezo ignition and its quick coupling that can be attached to the hose with a click.
The gun is made of strong but light materials. You can occasionally use a soldering torch to help you out, but if your task requires several hours or even a day, only a suitable gun will guarantee you avoid musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affecting joints, muscles and tendons.
Accessories for shrink tools
The Hornet gun and its long flexible rubber hose 1912
The Hornet Gun gives you the opportunity to work with accessories that enable you to reach your shrink film in every nook and cranny, as well as in height. With its 10-metre long flexible rubber hose that connects it to its propane tank, you have the best possible handling.
The gun is compatible with different burners. You can also use a heat shrink lance, for the Hornet gun. With a length of 1.20 meters and a power of 90 kW, it remains very light and provides a large surface area for heat diffusion to help you work faster and avoid fatigue by carrying it at arm’s length.
You can store your gun and all its accessories in the case provided, and carry your equipment everywhere.
The temperature setting
To work quickly and efficiently, you need an accurate and constant temperature that you will find difficult to maintain with a soldering lamp. Too high a temperature would pierce the heat-shrink film.
When marking on the ground, you must moderate the temperature so as not to alter the retro-reflective beads incorporated in the thermo-plastic resin strips. You should also think about the objects you are packing which should not be exposed to too much heat.
To help you in your work, the gun dedicated to thermo marking is flanged with a maximum power of 90 kW. It is compatible with a multitude of burners of different powers depending on the work you need to do.
If you need more power, you can also use the lance with a 160 kW long, straight burner. For example, for floor marking, certain specific coatings need to go through a second stage with a higher temperature to finalise the adhesion process and thus stabilise them.
