Machinery shrink wrapping for transport: 6 machines in one day

What threatens a machine with electronics on a long journey?

On the way, a machine is exposed to moisture and precipitation, dust and road dirt, and surface damage. With electronics inside, protection against moisture and dust is especially important. When an item travels far, there may be transhipments and crane lifts along the way, and each of these stages carries a risk of damage to the wrap.

There is another side too: liability. The shipper is responsible for packing the goods. In international carriage, the carrier is relieved of liability if the damage resulted from defective packing (CMR Convention, Article 17(4)(b)). So the shipper, not the carrier, may end up paying for damage to a badly packed machine.

How do you protect a machine with electronics for transport?

We sealed the machines in shrink wrap film. The method works like this:

1. We pull the film over the machine and fasten it.
2. We heat-shrink it with a gas torch. The material shrinks and fits tightly to the surface.
3. The finished cover takes the shape of the machine, including unusual edges, and seals it tightly.

This kind of cover protects against moisture, dust and surface damage on the way, and also in storage if the machine has to wait for transport. There is no need to build a crate or timber enclosure around it, so no extra structure adds to the size of the load. For corners and sharp edges, we choose thicker film, because thin film could wear through at those points.

The first photo shows a machine during packing, with a ladder leaning against the film. The second shows a machine in the hall, in white film, before it was closed at the top.

Shrink wrap film does not hold the machine in place. On the trailer it still needs securing: straps, chains, wedges or blocking. The film looks after the machine's surface, and the securing stops it shifting on the road.

How many machines can be packed in one day?

On this job it was 6 large machines. That is the result for these particular machines, not a fixed norm. How many we can pack at your site in a day depends on the dimensions and number of machines and on where they stand. That is why we ask for this information when quoting, and only then do we set the date of our visit.

How do you prepare a shipment of several machines?

For a quote we need:

• the length, width and height of each machine,
• the number of machines,
• the address and storage location (hall, yard, shelter),
• the planned date of transport or delivery to the warehouse,
• photos of the machines, which you can attach as a link in the form.

We come with the film and equipment to the address you give us. All we need is access to the machines and room to work around them. The customer then loads the cargo onto the vehicle, usually the day after packing. We do not provide transport services.

Before the truck arrives, it is worth sorting out a few things on the shipper's side:

• agree in the order who loads, who secures the cargo and who supplies the straps, mats and packaging,
• prepare a description of the cargo for the carrier: mass, dimensions and the position of the centre of gravity if it is not in the middle,
• take dated photos: the machine before packing, after packing and after loading,
• if the carrier has remarks when accepting the goods, ask for them to be entered in the consignment note.

After each job, we draw up a handover report with the customer, signed by both parties: what was packed and when. We describe how we pack production machinery, equipment and production lines on the page machine and equipment packing in shrink wrap film. We will prepare a quote once you fill in the form.