When it comes to sealing and filling machines, ensuring they work well for a long time is absolutely critical. One of the best ways to make sure your machine works well for a long time is regular and proper maintenance. To make sure you make the most out of it and ensure its longevity and performance, you only need to follow a few basic rules and tips on how to keep it clean and properly maintained and that’s why we are here today. We’re going to go over some of the essential cleaning and maintenance tips, so you can enjoy the maximum performance for as long as you can.
1. Daily Maintenance
Arguably the most important part of the machine maintenance is the daily maintenance which includes rough cleaning, fastening, adjustments and lubrication. In normal production conditions, these tasks should be carried out by anyone after operating the device. Small things like these can significantly impact the lifespan and the performance of the device.
The easiest way to accomplish this is to create a checklist and go through it step-by-step. Any trained operator can do this without any problem whatsoever. By performing these kinds of tasks, operators can easily pick up on some visual cues and easily identify a problem, that a certified technician can afterwards easily handle.
2. Following A Maintenance Schedule
Preventive maintenance, as in regularly scheduled maintenance, is the most important factor to ensure a long lifespan of a filling and sealing machine. Any device of this kind, or any other for that matter, greatly benefits from scheduled, preventive maintenance and that’s not by accident. By regularly cleaning and maintaining the machine, you ensure optimal performance and effectiveness, not to mention a longer lifespan.
Regularly scheduled maintenance is of utmost importance, as it is designed specifically with that particular device in mind, in a way that it prevents future problems, both minor and major. By eliminating or lowering the risk of things breaking down, you’ll not only improve the lifespan of said machine, but you’ll also save money by avoiding potential repairs. What this scheduled maintenance usually entails is:
- Inspection
- Monitoring Device Health
- Replacing Parts That Suffer From Wear And Tear
- Cleaning
- Oiling The Machine
Most of these maintenance activities can be done by anyone with basic knowledge of the device, but some are much better performed by trained, experienced professional. Some manufacturing companies work closely with trained personnel that specialize in machine maintenance.
3. Regular Thorough Cleaning
A sealing machine can also greatly benefit from a regular cleaning schedule. It is recommended to perform a thorough cleaning once every two weeks. The cleaning process isn’t complicated and can be performed by virtually anyone, but we’ll guide you through the process step by step.
- Before you begin cleaning, you need to make sure the machine is off and disconnected from any power source. So, first of all, you’ll need to turn off the machine and disconnect it. If you want to know more about how to safely turn off a sealing machine, visit here. Once you do that, you can move on with the cleaning process.
- After the machine has been turned off, remove all pouches, cups, or other products from the machine.
- Once you’ve done all of that, you can proceed to clean the device with either low-pressure water or an air compressor. Both are valid options and you can always do both if you wish. Of course, safety comes first, so don’t forget to wear safety gloves and glasses.
- Once you’re done roughly cleaning the machine, it’s time to get rid of microscopic debris or residue chemicals. Once again, wear protective gloves and clean the machine with water and a cleaning solution, preferably one rich in chlorine.
- Rinse the machine afterward and don’t leave it out to air-dry. Instead, use an air compressor to remove the water from the machine. You can also use a paper towel to dry off any hard-to-reach places.
4. Partner Up With OEMs
OEM, or original equipment manufacturer, knows every last bit of the device – how it works, how it’s built, which parts suffer most wear and tear and so on. As we’ve mentioned before, OEMs usually have their personal teams of trained experts that can easily preserve, or in need, fix the device.
For that reason, partnering up with OEMs when it comes to maintenance is very important and should not be taken for granted. Even though daily routines and scheduled maintenance can prolong the sealing device’s lifespan – it’s not enough. On the other hand, trained professionals have encountered every potential problem more than once and they know exactly what to do in each given situation.
Also, by partnering up with OEMs you can save some money as well. For instance, if you happen to notice an error with the device, you can contact the manufacturer, explain the problem and in some cases, you can even deal with the said problem over the phone or via email. On-site visits tend to get a little bit costly, so remote services really come in handy. Also, considering the current state of the world, health-wise, the impact of remote services is greater than ever.
5. Understanding The Parts
We’ve mentioned it a few times already, but not every part of the sealing device has the same job. With that in mind, it’s easy to see how some of them will last longer and how some of them will tend to wear out more easily. For that reason, you have to know your spare parts and keep the necessary ones always in stock. In general, all parts are divided into three categories:
- High Wear
- Medium Wear
- Low Wear
Low wear and medium wear parts tend to last a really long time and with proper maintenance, they’re usually not replaced. On the other hand, high wear parts don’t last as long and they do tend to break and wear out, which is why you need to make sure you have a spare part on the premises at all times.
In general, as you can see, the maintenance process is rather simple. It all boils down to cleaning and regular inspection by operators and highly trained professionals. If you follow all of these tips, you can rest assured that you won’t experience any unplanned expenses or breakages.
