Executive summary Gypsum board is heavy, soft at the edges and spoiled by damp, so stacks are wrapped in film before they leave the plant. Our gypsum packaging line carries each stack on roller conveyors through an orbital ring wrapper, which winds film round it as it passes. Film use follows from the stack section, its length and the overlap set. All are set per project.
Table of Contents
- What the video shows
- How the gypsum packaging line works
- Estimating film per stack
- Why wrap gypsum board
- Controls and safety
- Selection checklist for a gypsum board packaging line
- Engineering FAQ
- Next step
- Related reading
- Sources
What the video shows
A stack of gypsum boards rides the roller conveyor towards the ring of our orbital wrapper. The red-framed ring stands inside a red guard fence, with a safety sign on the fence and a control box beside the line.
As the stack passes through, the ring turns round it and winds film along its length. The wrapped stack, its sides now covered in film, runs out on the outfeed rollers. A second wrapper stands further down the line.
How the gypsum packaging line works
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Infeed | The board stack arrives on the roller conveyor |
| Orbital wrap | The ring turns round the stack as it moves through |
| Film cut | The film is cut once the stack has passed |
| Outfeed | The wrapped stack runs out for lifting |
The stack moves and the ring turns, so the film goes on as a spiral along the stack. The boards are never lifted or tipped during wrapping, which protects their edges.
Estimating film per stack
Illustrative example for a stack 1,200 mm wide, 400 mm high and 2,400 mm long, with 500 mm film at half overlap:
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Stack section perimeter, 2 × (1,200 + 400) | 3,200 mm |
| Film width (illustrative) | 500 mm |
| Advance per ring turn at half overlap | 250 mm |
| Ring turns, 2,400 ÷ 250 | about 10 |
| Film laid, 10 × 3.2 m | about 32 m |
Damp storage calls for more overlap and end turns. Set them in the program per stack size.
Why wrap gypsum board
| Risk | How the film helps |
|---|---|
| Damp | Film keeps rain and humidity off the board faces |
| Edge damage | Film holds the boards tight, so edges do not rub |
| Dust | The stack stays clean until it is opened |
| Loose boards | The stack stays square in transport |
An orbital ring covers the four long faces, so the stack ends stay open. End caps or six-side wrapping close them where stacks are stored in damp places.
Controls and safety
A red guard fence surrounds the ring, with a safety sign on it. The ring turns at speed during wrapping. Stop the line before anyone goes inside the fence.
The standards that apply depend on the destination market. For CE markets, ISO 12100 sets the risk-assessment method and EN 415-10 sets general requirements for packaging machines.
Selection checklist for a gypsum board packaging line
- Board width, length and thickness.
- Boards per stack and stack height.
- Stacks per hour.
- Wrap only, or strapping and corner boards as well.
- How stacks reach and leave the wrapper.
- Indoor or outdoor storage after packing.
Engineering FAQ
Q: Why an orbital wrapper for gypsum board? A: The ring turns round the stack as it moves, so the boards are never lifted or tipped.
Q: How much film does a stack use? A: Ring turns times the section perimeter. Our 2,400 mm example lays about 32 m.
Q: Does the film keep damp out? A: Yes, on the wrapped faces. More overlap and end turns help where stacks are stored in damp places.
Q: Is the wrapper guarded? A: Yes. In our video a red fence surrounds the ring.
Q: Can strapping be added? A: Strapping can be added to the line before or after wrapping. Tell us if you need it.
Next step
We plan your gypsum board packaging line in three steps:
- Submit your layout drawing with board sizes and output to info@fhopepack.com.
- Receive a proposal within 48 hours, with the wrap and film plan.
- Book a site survey to check the conveyor layout and floor space.
Related reading
- Video: combined machine for six-side wrapping
- E300 horizontal stretch wrapper
- Automatic strapping machines
Sources
- Machine content: FHOPE engineering team, 2026-10-04
- Film example: our worked example, illustrative values
- Machine in action: our video on YouTube
- Standards scope: ISO 12100:2010, EN 415-10:2014
Last reviewed: 2026-10-04
