Time is of essence in the packaging industry and thus reliability of your machinery is very important so as to avoid unnecessary downtimes. The life of packaging machines can be prolonged and their effectiveness can be maintained if they are well maintained as they are used. For package printing or where you engage with flexo printing machine suppliers, adopting the right maintenance procedures do matter a lot. In this article, fourteen techniques for the proper maintenance of different packaging machines are discussed so that your machines can serve you for several years.
Importance of Regular Maintenance
Maintenance is the key to long life and efficiency of the packaging machines that are installed in your production line. In the absence of maintenance, the best of equipment may also degrade thus making constant calls to the repairers.
Other obvious benefits of routine maintenance are that apart from guard against failure which may be inconvenient and costly, your machines run best. For instance, a clean package printing machine will give well-aligned prints and this will lead to minimum wastage of material and enhanced production rates. When you perform maintenance frequently, you minimize periods of machine breakdown that are costly and also enable the equipment to last longer.
Daily and Weekly Maintenance Checks
Daily and weekly maintenance checklists are critical to prevent the onset of a critical problem that may lead to failure. These routine inspections should preferably be made by operators who are well conversant with the machines and their parts.
– Daily Checks: The first step that should be followed while controlling the machine is the observation. Pay attention to any part that seems worn, damaged or has any apparent leak. Check if every part that may require lubber is lubricated and whether there are any objects blocking the pathways of the machine. Further, attempt to ascertain the right alignment and calibration settings of the machine.
– Weekly Checks: Weekly, make more comprehensive inspections where you will observe the following areas. This comprises also checking the status of belts, hoses, and seals for signs of deterioration and or damage. Assure that all security measures for instance emergency stop buttons and protective guards are well functioning. In the case of the package printing machines, especially the ink supply system, make sure that they are reasonably free from clogs.
These regular checks help you to iron out snags before they fester into bigger hurdles that must be surmounted if the machinery is to be in top order.
Keeping Machines Clean and Lubricated
Hygiene and appropriate greasing are essential requirements for a proper functioning, as well as a long life expectancy, of packaging machines. In the course of usage dust, debris and residue may build up hence causing blockages and increased friction on moving parts. This can be quite bad for your machines, as it cultivates unnecessary wear and tear on your machines, thus lowering their efficiency.
– Cleaning: Remember to wipe all the parts of the machine as often as possible with special concern for the parts that most likely collect dirt. For flexo printing machines it is important that the printing plates and the rollers should be clean of the ink deposits. Sanitize the circuitry very carefully by employing right chemical solvents and implements which can harm the delicate pieces.
– Lubrication: Extra lubrication means there will be a great reduction of friction between the moving parts and hence reducing the amount of damage done to the equipment. Lubricate as specified by the manufacturer and use the right lubricant for the specific application. As is always the case, there are both good things and bad things associated with excessive lubrication, so everything must be done in moderation.
To get maximum operation of your machines, it is important that they are cleaned on a regular basis and lubricated where necessary to reduce breakages and how often they may need a complete overhaul.
Monitoring and Replacing Worn Parts
All equipment parts are not indefinitely durable and will at some point develop a failure requiring repair or replacement. Over the course of time these components need to be constantly checked and regulated to avoid element failures and to keep your machines running optimally.
– Monitoring: Watch out for those peripherals that tend to wear out more quickly, for example belts, bearings and seals. These parts are certain to be always under strain and may wear out more quickly than the other parts. Monitor for signs of routine wear such as a crack or fray in its belt, any squeaking noise when in operation.
– Replacing: If a component is worn excessively it should be changed as soon as possible. As an example it is considerably easier to fix a site’s design than it is to repair its reputation. Continuing to use a machine even when the parts have worn out may lead to the worsening of the machine condition and this may prove to be very expensive and time consuming. Consult with your flexo printing machine manufacturers so as to secure yourself with original wearing parts that are compatible with your machines and perform well.
This means you can avoid huge failures that seem to occur with packaging machines and ensure that your gear is in shape at all times.
Training and Documentation
One of the major issues is to ensure that the practices that you have put into operation have been trained and documented properly. Operators and maintenance personnel must be fully conversant with the maintenance characteristics of each machine, particularly how best to clean and lubricate them, or replace parts.
– Training: Conduct refresher training frequently to keep all the personnel posted on the proper technological procedures in maintenance and safety. On the specific machines that are employed on the job, corresponding training should be provided, and practice on the same should be practical to boost confidence as well as competency.
– Documentation: Record all maintenance involving daily and weekly checkups, cleaning routines, lubrication period, and replacement of any spare part. For this reason, you’ll be able to review the results of the machines within the course of using them and notice trends that require further adjustments.
Professional individuals paired with paperwork help in creating an excellent maintenance program that will increase the life of the packaging machines.
In this case, proper care and regular maintenance of your packaging machines are some of the most important aspects because they can help you increase the lifespan of the machines, yet you also get some assurance of consistent performance. Others are routine checks throughout the machines, ensuring that they are clean and lubricated, observing the wear and tear limits of the machines, and ensuring the right policies and procedures, training and paperwork are provided to gain the best out of your equipment. When it comes to the maintenance of the package printing machine or in your direct interaction with the flexo printing machine manufacturers, always ensure you take the preemptive maintenance measure which would result in minimized downtimes thus the overall reduced operational costs and better quality output in your package production line.
