DIY Air Pillow Machine  @Circadea Home Contact

You have most likely seen them in a shipment from Amazon filling up the extra space in the box.
They offer some significant advantages over other forms of box fillers otherwise known as dunnage.
The primary advantages are savings in shipping weight, reduced storage space needed for materials, less plastic in  landfills.
An added bonus is that they are reusable at which point they loose there reduced storage space feature.
Depending on which plastic is used  they provide various degrees of shock absorption and protection from punctures.  The machines that produce those pillows cost from 100s of dollars for entry level machines
to thousands for high output commercial ones and they use custom formed  plastics that one needs to specially order.
Some only run materials that are proprietary to the manufacturer of the machine.

If you want an off the shelf solution click here for more information. 		Here are some Other types of bags one can use for enhanced aesthetics and presentation using this DIY method. You can use standard Plastic storage bags   from the grocery  (~25¢ per cubic foot) or freezer bags which are heavier in general (~$1.00 per cubic foot).  Using mailer bags like below will run around $1.54 per cubic foot plus freight.
 
"Dunnage is the name for the materials used in holds and containers to protect goods and their packaging from moisture,
contamination and mechanical damage. Dunnage may include plastic films, jute coverings, tarpaulins,
wood (wooden dunnage), rice matting, nonwovens, liner bags or also inlets etc.. "
Video that inspired this project.
You can make a diy air pillow machine from items readily available on Amazon or Ebay.
First item required is an  impulse sealer.
You can often get the plastic fittings most reasonably at a well stocked hardware store.
Impulse Sealer
 Foot Air Pump or
 Balloon Inflator

Plastic Tubing
 Right Angle tubing connectors



I suggest the 16" model as that it allows
one more options for pillow forming materials.
Video

More Info or Purchase

Foot operated Balloon Pump
More Info or Purchase
Electric Baloon Pump More Info or Purchase




I find this type functional but not so handy to use. The piece in fig. 1 to the right and foot operation is the least time consuming by far.

To connect the tubing you may wish to warm the tubing in warm water or with a heat gun.

You can fix  any air leaks caused by mismatches in dimensions  with black electrical tape.  For the simplest version
just set the impulse sealer on top of the tube near the open end with the tube protruding. You can slip your bag over the tube and still operate the impulse sealer. A piece of plywood can be cut with a slot for the tubing for a more permanent solution. Be careful  to not block ventilation grid  under the impulse sealer.

fig. 1



Other methods  to pursue for the industrious.  

If you have compressed air one can inflate using your air-pillows using   an air valve or air solenoid.


Foot Air valve


Air Solenoid

Electric foot switch.
One needs just a foot of this or another tubing.

3.75 Sealer height
.75" board
.5" tube
5" from base of board to top of tube.
White L bracket
Stanley $2.50 ea.
Offshore $1.25 ea.
Use Washer Glue to board.
Complete bent tray piece Emachine
4x4 box piece


Strip along back with L on inside?
Link to Video for Download
 
Kit of Tubing and right angle barbs.

Bulk Head Type



Non Slit Tubing
Heat Gun or warm water to fit.

Ebay Non Split Corrugated tubing.

Right Click to view
 larger image.

To be tested.

Two will get the job done.
I put two on the end with a small piece of tubing between which allows for aiming the tube over the end of the impulse sealer.








Link to Video