Brushing your teeth and flossing regularly go a long way toward maintaining good oral health and minimizing potentially uncomfortable visits to the dentist. The same analogy goes for your pack and seal machines.
Everyone knows that establishing a proactive preventive maintenance program is a key component to minimizing unexpected machine downtown. But the trick is to get your PM program tailored to your specific needs. Here are four steps to help keep any unplanned downtime to a bare minimum:
Keep spare parts on hand – This step is an absolute must for any PM program and will help facilitate quick repairs. Spare and consumable parts, such as belts, knives, and springs, are critical to the operation of case formers, erectors and sealers. We can help you perform a parts audit and prepare a recommended parts list of common replacement parts to keep in stock. Essentially, a parts audit helps you develop a parts plan, streamlining the inspection, repair, and maintenance processes for your packaging equipment.
Schedule a service call – Nobody knows your packaging machines better than us! We have factory-trained and certified technicians across North America who can quickly have your equipment inspected. We also provide several levels of service to best meet your needs. Additionally, we can also show you and your staff preventive maintenance tips to perform on a regular basis. Having us come regularly to inspect and make potential fixes can stop an issue before it develops into a larger problem.
Keep it clean – One of the simplest things you can do to keep your equipment running well is to keep it clean; the cleaner it is, the better it will operate. Cleaning should include all mechanical parts and be performed as needed. It’s important to always turn off and disconnect power to the machine prior to cleaning.
Don’t ignore preventive maintenance – If you’re experiencing an increase in production, it may be tempting to push back the preventive maintenance schedule for your equipment, but do not do this. Packaging machines are engineered to be serviced at specific intervals. Delaying service could lead to premature component failure and a longer, more costly downtime when you can least afford it.
The best and most cost-effective way to keep your pack and seal machines on track is through preventive maintenance. Right now is the perfect time to get started on this … after you brush and floss of course.