Automotive parts rarely ship in a carton. They ship in a returnable rack, a steel bin, a wooden frame or a banded bundle, and the protection problem is the hard interface between the part and the steel. Paper edge protectors sit at that interface, so the part does not touch steel and the band does not touch the part.
Profile data for parts packs
| Pack type | Where the board goes | Grade |
|---|
| Returnable rack | Post and rail contact faces | L 40 x 40, 4 mm |
| Steel bin | Bin corner and lid contact | L 50 x 50, 4 mm |
| Banded bundle | Under every band | L 50 x 50, 5 mm |
| Wooden frame | Frame to part interface | L 60 x 60, 4 mm |
| Precision part | Coated or film faced board | L 40 x 40, 3 mm coated |
The interface, not the pack
In a returnable rack the part rests on steel rails or plastic dunnage, and the rail is what marks a stamped panel or a machined face. A board over the rail converts a line contact into a flat one, and it can be replaced when it wears without changing the rack.
In a banded bundle the band crosses the part directly. On a painted or coated part that leaves a mark which will not pass a paint inspection, and on a machined surface it leaves a burr that has to be dressed before assembly.
Cleanliness requirements change the board
Powder-free and fibre-free requirements appear in automotive packaging specifications, and standard kraft is not fibre-free. Where the part is a precision component or an interior trim item, ask for the cleanliness clause in writing before ordering, because a kraft board can shed fibre at a cut end.
Where fibre is not acceptable, the usual answer is a coated board or a film-faced board. Both are available, but they cost more and should be specified deliberately rather than discovered at the receiving inspection.
Matching protection to rack design
For a rack with vertical posts, protect the post faces the part can touch, not the corners of the rack. For a rack with a lid, protect the lid contact points as well, because a lid lowered onto a part is a common source of dents.
Where the rack is returnable, paper protection is consumed on each outbound trip. That is normal and cheap relative to a paint repair, but it has to be in the packaging cost, not treated as a surprise.
Questions buyers ask before ordering
Is standard kraft acceptable for interior trim parts?
Only if the buyer accepts fibre at cut ends. Where a cleanliness clause applies, specify a coated board.
Can boards be cut to fit a specific rack post?
Yes, to the millimetre, and die-cut slots are possible with a one-off die.
Do you supply dunnage foam as well?
No. We supply paper edge protection only, which is why we ask what else is in the rack.
What wall for a 200 kg stamped part?
4-5 mm with 50 mm legs is the usual quote, and the rack design matters more than the part weight.
Can the boards carry a part number?
Yes, one or two colours, useful when one rack holds several variants.
To compare profiles, send a photo of a packed pallet and the band tension you use to mona@hengnicepacking.com.
