Shrink wrapping equipment

An overview of the shrink wrapping equipment we supply

Shrink wrapping large or awkward products does not require an extensive array of equipment and supplies but a few key items will make the job a lot easier and result in a professional looking end result. Here is a list of the basic shrink wrapping equipment and materials you will need:

Heat gun

The heat gun is a very important piece of shrink wrapping equipment. Normally powered by Propane gas, the heat gun is designed to give a tight, consistent finish to the shrinkwrap covering. Most gas powered heat guns are supplied with an 8m long hose to enable the operator to move around freely. For very small shrink wrap jobs, or for very thin shrink wrap plastic films a domestic electric heat gun can be used. However, for 99% of industrial and boat applications this electric gun would not be powerful enough and would take too long to shrink the cover, so a gas gun is the most popular choice. For environments where a naked flame is not allowed, high powered electric guns are available. These are quite heavy and more expensive than a gas heat gun but they may be the only option in some circumstances.

Gas cylinder trolley

The gas cylinder trolley is used to move the gas cylinder around a work area. The trolley can hold cylinders up to 47Kg and using a gas cylinder trolley is much safer and less tiring for the shrink wrap operator. Using a gas cylinder trolley also allows marine and industrial shrink wrap jobs to be completed more quickly.

Mobile roll stand / dispenser

The shrink wrap roll stand consists of a spindle which is passed through the centre of a shrink wrap roll. The spindle sits on a wheeled frame. The shrink wrap dispenser is used to move rolls around a work site and to store rolls when they are not in use. Using a shrink wrap dispenser allows the wrap to pulled easily over a boat or other industrial product and prevents the wrap from dragging on the floor and picking up dirt and debris.

Strapping

Strapping is used to form a ‘support structure’ where required, under shrink wrap covers. It is also used to form the ‘perimeter band’ which is a more robust alternative to taping shrink wrap direct to object to be covered. It is normally more convenient if the strapping is used with a strapping dispenser. Like the shrink wrap roll dispenser, using a strapping dispenser keeps the strapping clean and allows it to be easily pulled over or around the object that is being shrink wrapped.

Patch tape

The tape used in shrink wrapping is normally 100mm wide, waterproof and with a high tack adhesive. The shrink wrapping tape is normally used for repairing small holes and holding seams and large patches in position. When shrink wrapping smaller boats or objects, the tape can also be used for securing the shrink wrap to the object as an alternative to using a perimeter band.

Air vents

Particularly where shrink wrap is being used to protect an object during long term storage, vents are used to eliminate moisture and condensation under a shrink wrap cover by allowing a cross flow of air underneath the shrink wrap cover. Vents come in a variety of shapes and sizes but are normally self adhesive and are simply stuck on to a finished shrink wrap cover.

Zipped access doors

These are taped on to the finished shrink wrap cover to enable access to the boat or object underneath. Zipped access doors are normally supplied in heights of 0.91m (36″), 1.22m (48″) and 1.83m (72″). All doors are 0.76m wide (30″).

Personal protection equipment

Obviously, shrink wrapping incorporates a number of procedures that require attention to health and safety guidelines. In addition to any access equipment required, most common items required are long sleeved overalls, safety gloves, safety glasses and a safety knife. These are inexpensive items and are normally supplied with a shrink wrapping start up kit as standard.