PFM Hurricane Flow Wrapper – How a Simple Clean Fixed Random Unsealed Fin Seals

🧠 KWIK TECH GEMS™ - A quick maintenance story that saved hours of downtime and restored perfect seals.

A customer recently contacted us about their PFM Hurricane horizontal flow wrapper, which was producing random unsealed spots in the longitudinal fin seal. Most packs were sealed perfectly — but some came out with visible gaps or weak spots in the fin seal, like the one shown below.

At first, the operators suspected a collapsed bearing — a common theory when fin seals start to appear uneven or inconsistent. But once we removed the deck plates and looked closer, the real issue became obvious.

The Real Cause

Dirty activation cylinder

The activation cylinder that opens and closes the fin-sealing wheels was very stiff and slow to move. On certain cycles, it wasn’t engaging fully, meaning the wheels didn’t make full contact with the film.

The culprit? Debris and residue buildup on the cylinder shaft — a mix of product dust and fragments of packaging film that had collected over time. This buildup restricted movement and caused the cylinder to hesitate, resulting in uneven sealing pressure.

Adding to the issue, we also found film residue stuck to one of the sealing wheels.

Even a small patch of melted or torn film can disrupt heat transfer and wheel contact, leading to the same type of spotty or unsealed fin seals.

Film residue stuck to one of the sealing wheels.

The Fix

The repair was straightforward — a complete clean of the activation assembly, the cylinder shaft, and the sealing wheel faces.

Once cleaned, the cylinder moved freely again, the sealing wheels aligned properly, and every pack came out with a consistent, fully sealed fin seal. No replacement parts, no major downtime — just a proper clean that restored performance immediately.

The Lesson

This was a textbook case of a neglected maintenance task causing a lot or headaches. On the PFM Hurricane flow wrapper, even a light film or product buildup can mimic the symptoms of a bearing failure or mechanical issue.

Regular daily cleaning of the activation mechanism and sealing wheels is the easiest way to maintain consistent sealing pressure and avoid downtime.

It’s a small habit that keeps packaging lines running smoothly — and prevents unsealed packs from reaching customers.

Quick Takeaway

If your PFM Hurricane flow wrapper starts producing unsealed or inconsistent fin seals, check these areas before assuming a mechanical fault:

• Sealing wheel surfaces — remove any stuck film or residue.

• Activation cylinder shaft — ensure it moves freely and isn’t contaminated.

• Pneumatic linkages — confirm smooth activation and retraction.

• General cleanliness — debris and dust can restrict movement.

  
  

A few minutes of daily cleaning can save hours of downtime and eliminate unnecessary service calls.

💡 Pro Tip:Keep the fin seal wheel assembly and activation cylinder free from residue. On a high-speed machine like the PFM Hurricane, a smooth-acting cylinder means consistent heat and pressure — and that means perfect seals, every time.

Need Help?

If you’re looking for flow wrappers for sale or need expert flow-wrapper service, PacMatix can help—from selection through lifetime support.

We service a wide range of European and Japanese flow-wrapper brands—including our own GSP and Tecno Pack machines, as well as FUJI, CAVANNA, PFM, and more. If you’re battling seal failures, jaw misalignment, or recurring product crushes, we can diagnose the root cause and get you back to full-speed production.

👉 Contact our team

Field work: Ryno Kruger – Flow-Wrapper Technician

Article written by: Ettienne van Vuuren – Founder, PacMatix (25 years hands-on flow-wrapper experience)

Published: November 2025

Disclaimer: PacMatix Pty Ltd is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or an authorised distributor of PFM Group or its equipment. The PFM Hurricane flow wrapper referenced in this article is a customer-owned machine maintained independently by PacMatix technicians. All brand names remain the property of their respective owners and are used here solely for descriptive and informational purposes.