What is a steam shrink tunnel and what does it do?

A steam shrink tunnel is a machine that uses steam to shrink a loose plastic label tight around a bottle. It is how brands get the full-color, wrap-around labels that hug the shape of sports drinks, energy drinks, juices, dairy drinks and cosmetic bottles. First, a plastic shrink sleeve label is slipped over the bottle. Then the bottle rides a conveyor through the steam tunnel, and the warm steam shrinks the label smoothly to the bottle's curves in seconds. The CE-325 is a conveyor steam shrink tunnel built for bottles in beverage, dairy and cosmetic production.

Is there a machine that shrinks sleeve labels onto bottles for you instead of using a heat gun?

Yes. The CE-325 bottle sleeve steam shrink tunnel replaces shrinking labels by hand with a heat gun. Instead of heating each bottle one at a time and turning it to avoid wrinkles, you send labeled bottles down the conveyor and the steam shrinks every sleeve evenly all the way around. The CE-325 handles 5,000–7,500 bottles per hour with the same smooth, consistent finish on every bottle, making it a common step up for beverage, dairy and cosmetic brands that have outgrown labeling by hand.

Why use steam instead of hot air to shrink sleeve labels?

Steam wraps the whole bottle in moist, even heat, so shrink sleeve labels shrink uniformly around curves, shoulders and necks without the hot spots, wrinkles or distortion that hot air can cause on full-body labels. The CE-325 shrink chamber runs at a gentle 75–85°C (167–185°F), and the tunnel itself draws just 150W because the heat comes from the steam source. Adjustable guide rails keep bottles centered so each label gets the same exposure, for a smooth, retail-ready finish on almost any bottle shape.

What size bottles can the CE-325 steam shrink tunnel handle?

The CE-325 handles bottles up to about 4 inches (100 mm) in diameter with a shrink height of up to 11.4 inches (290 mm), which covers most beverage, dairy, supplement and cosmetic bottles. Guide rails inside the conveyor and shrink chamber adjust to sit 1–2 mm from each side of the bottle so containers travel smoothly through the tunnel. The machine measures 69.29 x 15.75 x 49.21 inches and weighs about 150 lb (68 kg). Cleveland Equipment can also customize non-standard machines for unusual container sizes.

How many bottles per hour can the CE-325 shrink?

The CE-325 shrinks sleeve labels on 5,000 to 7,500 bottles per hour. Its conveyor speed adjusts from 0 to 10 meters per minute (about 0–32.8 feet per minute) with a speed knob on the control panel, so you can match the tunnel to your labeler, filler or capper and slow it down for larger bottles or thicker labels. Actual output depends on bottle size, spacing and label material.

Do I need a steam generator for the CE-325?

Yes. The CE-325 shrinks labels with steam, so it connects to a separate steam source. The tunnel needs steam at 0.1 MPa (about 14.5 psi) and uses about 8 kg (17.6 lb) of steam per hour. The operation manual pairs it with the LDR24-0.45Z steam generator, rated 12/24 kW and 0.45 MPa, with a 27-liter (about 7-gallon) capacity and 24 kg (about 53 lb) of steam per hour, in a footprint of about 26 x 22 x 49 inches. The steam generator can be configured to your facility's requirements, so contact Cleveland Equipment to spec the right setup.

What are the power and utility requirements for the CE-325?

The CE-325 tunnel runs on 220V, 50 Hz power and draws only 150W for its conveyor and controls, and it must be properly grounded. The steam generator is a separate, higher-power unit; the manual's matched generator is rated 12/24 kW at 380V, and it can be configured for your facility. Plan for steam piping from the generator to the tunnel and a drain line for condensate. Have a licensed electrician confirm your power supply, and contact Cleveland Equipment to match the steam generator to the power available in your plant.

What shrink sleeve label materials work with the CE-325?

The CE-325 works with POF, PVC and PP shrink sleeve labels, shrinking them in a steam chamber held at 75–85°C (167–185°F). Steam heat is well suited to full-body sleeves, partial sleeves and labels on contoured bottles because it shrinks the film evenly without scorching. Results depend on the label's shrink rate and thickness, so run sample bottles and adjust conveyor speed and steam pressure until the label sits smooth and tight.

Why are my shrink sleeve labels wrinkled or out of position?

Wrinkled or loose labels usually mean the steam pressure is too low, the steam valves are not set correctly, or the conveyor is running too fast. Raise the steam pressure, adjust the valves, or slow the belt so the label gets more time in the steam. If labels shift out of position, the two brushes that hold the label in place are set too far apart and need to be adjusted closer. Also check that the guide rails sit 1–2 mm from each side of the bottle and that the conveyor belt is tight so bottles travel smoothly.

What warranty, accessories and support come with the CE-325?

The CE-325 comes with a one-year limited parts warranty and technical support from Cleveland Equipment. The manual's accessories list includes a full Allen wrench set, slotted and Phillips screwdrivers, open-end wrenches, two spare fuses, a spare speed control board and a tool bag. For daily care, keep electrical parts dry, wipe down water in the drip pan, and check moving parts for loose screws. For parts or setup help, call 866-774-0939 or email sales@clevelandequipment.com, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Central.

CE-325 Bottle Sleeve Steam Shrink Tunnel*

Steam generator INCLUDED; generator voltage: 220 V. Maximum bottle / packaging size: 4.15 × 11.4 in. Conveyor speed: 0–10 m/min. Tunnel chamber: 39.37 × 4 × 12.5 in. Maximum loading: 33 lb. Films: POF, PVC, PP. Tunnel machine: 69.29 × 15.75 × 49.21 in. Included generator: 26 × 22 × 49 in.

SKU#: CE-325

$6,875.00

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Machine comes with a 1 year limited part warranty and tech support.

CE-325 Bottle Sleeve Steam Shrink Tunnel

The CE-325 uses steam to shrink sleeve labels around bottles for beverage, dairy, and cosmetic packaging. Adjustable conveyor speed and bottle guides help produce an even finish around different container shapes. Its stainless steel construction includes an insulation layer and a bottom water receiver to collect condensate.

Steam generator INCLUDED. The included steam generator operates on 220 V.

Specifications

Maximum bottle / packaging size: 4.15 × 11.4 in.
Tunnel chamber size: 39.37 × 4 × 12.5 in.
Conveyor speed: 0–10 m/min.
Maximum loading: 33 lb.
Shrink films: POF, PVC, PP.
Shrink speed: 5,000–7,500 bottles/hour; actual output depends on bottle size, spacing, and film.
Tunnel electrical rating: 220 V, 50 Hz; 150 W.
Steam pressure: 0.1 MPa.
Steam consumption: 8 kg/hour.
Shrink temperature: 75–85 °C.
Tunnel machine weight: 68 kg (approximately 150 lb).
Overall tunnel machine dimensions (L × W × H): 69.29 × 15.75 × 49.21 in (1,760 × 400 × 1,250 mm).

Included steam generator

The steam generator is included with the CE-325, operates on 220 V, and measures 26 × 22 × 49 in. These are generator dimensions, not tunnel or chamber dimensions. Have a licensed electrician confirm installation requirements before setup.

The CE-325 is a steam shrink tunnel, not a complete sleeve-label applicator. Contact us with your bottle dimensions, sleeve film, and production requirements to check fit.

Specifications

Maximum bottle / packaging size: 4.15 × 11.4 in. Tunnel chamber: 39.37 × 4 × 12.5 in. Conveyor speed: 0–10 m/min. Maximum loading: 33 lb. Films: POF, PVC, PP. Shrink speed: 5,000–7,500 bottles/hour. Tunnel electrical rating: 220 V, 50 Hz, 150 W. Steam pressure: 0.1 MPa. Steam consumption: 8 kg/hour. Shrink temperature: 75–85 °C. Tunnel weight: 68 kg (approximately 150 lb). Overall tunnel dimensions (L × W × H): 69.29 × 15.75 × 49.21 in (1,760 × 400 × 1,250 mm). Steam generator INCLUDED; included generator voltage: 220 V; generator dimensions: 26 × 22 × 49 in.

Downloads

CE-325 Bottle Sleeve Steam Heat Tunnel Brochure (Size: 278.8 KB)

CE-325 Bottle Sleeve Steam Heat Tunnel Brochure
CE-325 Bottle Sleeve Steam Heat Tunnel Operation Manual (Size: 669.7 KB)

CE-325 Bottle Sleeve Steam Heat Tunnel Operation Manual

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