Method and apparatus for controlling air temperature for making seals

A method for forming bags, the method comprising:

• receiving a film into a sealing section of a bag forming machine;
• receiving air into a heater block;
• heating the air in the heater block;
• conveying the heated air through an air flow path to a manifold;
• dispensing the heated air from the manifold to thereby form seals in the film such that the bags are at least partially formed;
• sensing, with a first temperature sensor, temperature of the heated air in the air flow path, temperature of the heated air in the manifold, or temperature of the manifold;
• generating, with the first temperature sensor, temperature signals;
• sensing, with a second temperature sensor, temperature at the heater block;
• generating, with the second temperature sensor, temperature signals;
• controlling, with a controller, the heater block to heat the air when the controller determines that heating is needed based on the temperature signals received from the first temperature sensor and the temperature signals from the second temperature sensor relative to one or more set points;
• and
• dispensing the bags from the sealing section.