sandwich packing machineA well-maintained machine may last and your operation for many years to come. To get you started on the path to maximum throughput, we're discussing some expert tips for appropriate packing machine maintenance.
Inch. Adhere to a Preventive Maintenance Schedule
Automation Mag touts preventive maintenance while the number one recommendation for a long machine lifespan. For justification: A packing machine, just like a car, needs to be periodically and regularly maintained to ensure optimal production and summit Overall Equipment success. Formulating, and more importantly sticking with, a preventive maintenance schedule is of extreme importance after installment of a packing machine.
A machine maintenance schedule is designed to stop both minor troubles and major disasters, and thereby decreasing unscheduled downtime. Cases of preventative maintenance tasks comprise:
Machine inspection
Monitoring and altering wear parts regularly
Ensuring high wear components are stored in stock
Lubricating the system
These preventive maintenance tasks often demand a higher level of technical training and expertise, and as such should only be performed by qualified and trained personnel or a certified service tech from the packaging machine manufacturer. Top packing OEMs provide Service Audit and Preventive Maintenance Strategies together with regular scheduled on site visits tailored for the personal business needs.
2. Combine With Autonomous Maintenance Tasks
Automation Mag also urges pairing more detailed missions related to packing machine maintenance with easier, task-based activities that are carried out at regular intervals by trained machine operators.
Operating from a packing machine care checklist, most operators have been tasked with activities they must perform on weekly, daily, quarterly, quarterly, along with bi annual intervals. These tasks often contain simple visual cues, and as the operators become knowledgeable about the equipment together with continued maintenance jobs , they can frequently detect when something is'off' until a scheduled OEM technician visit would.
3. Partner With Responsive Packing OEMs
Whenever your packing machine is down, every second counts. Ideally, before purchasing a piece of equipment, you have correctly assessed the OEM to master the particulars of these technical service availability, techniques of touch, and related costs.
Partner using a packing machine maker where an actual person will answer your telephone or email, and one which has remote capabilities to access and fix most routine problems without unnecessary and costly on site visits.
The COVID-19 outbreak of 2020 dramatically highlighted the need for remote service capabilities, as many companies suspended business traveling for weeks. Virtual meetings and video conference calls immediately emerged as the saving grace, enabling OEMs and their customers to conduct packaging machine troubleshooting liberally, irrespective of what had been happening in the world.
4. Understand Your Spareparts List
After buying a packing system, your OEM should offer you a recommended spare parts list. This list should be separated in to part category by wear and that means you can organize your parts inventory strategically. For instance, at Viking, our components are all classified as follows:
A - High wear parts. These parts have a shorter life cycle or aren't ordinary goods and have a very long lead time.
B - Medium wear parts. These parts have an extended lifecycle and might or might not ever fail.
These parts shouldn't neglect.
It is always recommended to maintain high wear parts in stock. The last point you want to do when your system is upside down will be wait for a part to be fabricated or shipped. Every minute your machine has been inoperable during production hours is money down the drain.
5. Plan for up Grades and Obsolescence
Inevitably, packaging supplies and software require upgrades and sometimes replacement when a machine or component is made obsolete and no longer supported. Technology develops fast nowadays, and packing supplies isn't any exception.
Maintain close communication with your packing equipment manufacturer to master of mandatory or recommended equipment upgrades and to ensure telling if your distinct bit of equipment has been phased out. If this is so, formulate a proactive policy for replacement or upgrade of your machinery, components, or software that will minimize downtime.
Free Packing Machine Maintenance Checklists
When it involves the operation of one's packaging machine, be more proactive, not reactive. Download our free packaging gear upkeep checklists today to Guarantee maximum productivity to the life of your packing gear: