Machine malfunction can result in significant lost productivity and, subsequently, income. When a machine fails to owe to a lack of maintenance, it will be unable to create the product that the company produces, meaning there will be zero sales. 

You can reduce the impact of machinery and equipment failure and preserve your bottom line, simply by ensuring that regular machine cleaning and maintenance is carried out. Here’s an overview of the most common types of packaging machine maintenance and how to perform them.

Importance Of Maintenance Of Packaging Machinery 

The need for preventative maintenance and repair for packaging machines cannot be underestimated. Every secondary packing business is looking for methods to reduce costs while enhancing productivity, especially in this age of automation and increased demand for quick transit times. 

Investing in automated secondary packaging machinery such as palletizers, stretch wrappers, shrink wrappers, case packer machines, case erectors, and tapers, and laser-guided vehicles is one effective way to do this. All of these useful improvements necessitate regular maintenance. 

Immediate problems may develop if packaging machinery is not properly maintained on a regular basis or after being shut down for months. Let us look at the importance of having high-quality packaging machinery repair and maintenance services.

• Improved machine efficiency.

There will be instances when your machine breaks down when you least expect it. Scheduling regular PMs will help you avoid such. But It shouldn’t end at routine maintenance, regular operator care of the packaging machine might help you become more efficient during that scheduled downtime. 

Machine operators should be able to spot potential problems with the machinery they work with on a daily basis. They should also know how to correct them if they are simple, or seek assistance before causing further damage.

• Cost-cutting.

Downtime that occurs unexpectedly and without warning incurs unanticipated and unpleasant consequences. These expenses might range from lost productivity to additional expenditures associated with damaged parts that could have been prevented with adequate preventative maintenance. Missed shipments and disgruntled shops and customers can all add up to extra costs. Regular Preventative Maintenance provides you control over your output and a significant reduction in the amount of money you would have spent on maintenance and repairs in the long term.

• For safety reasons.

Regular preventative maintenance on your packaging machine also allows your technician to check the operation of the electrical and safety systems, as well as look deeper into any threats that your machinery may produce.

Preventive maintenance not only saves money but also enhances your company’s reliability and makes the workplace safer for your employees. Call us if you’re interested in learning more about preserving your capital investments.

• Improved dependability.

You can bank on your packaging machines’ efficiency and parts functioning well when they are well-maintained. Learn which pieces of your machinery wear out the fastest and the functions of each of your packing machines so as to anticipate which components will wear and how much run time you can expect from the worn parts. 

This allows you to make changes before they stifle your output. Customers will have faith in your ability to meet their product and replenishment needs if your machinery is kept in good working order. Preventive maintenance will eventually lead to your client’s satisfaction and happiness.

• To prevent any potential Issues

Routine maintenance for your packing machine will help you to address any difficulties and address any problems before they become a crisis. Some machine maintenance companies, which are exclusive to other machines, are included in several semi-automatic and automatic stretch wrappers. They have diagnostic capabilities that will notify you of scheduled maintenance, emergency stops, and activated alarms. This is important because it will enable you to handle a prospective or current issue promptly, reducing downtime.

• Environmental footprint reduction.

During packaging machine maintenance, the pre-stretch ratio of a wrapping machine is closely monitored. Doing that will ensure optimal film consumption and decreased rejection rates. The results will be lower overall consumption. Preventive maintenance also cuts down on waste caused by poor packaging by making the most of the time, and resources allotted to production and transportation.

Types Of Packaging Machine Maintenance

Most companies are reopening, and packaging lines around the country will soon start producing. Many businesses are anxious to restart their packing processes and resume normal operations after months of unplanned stoppage due to COVID19. Knowing types of packaging machine maintenance is helpful for your production.

Preventive Maintenance

Preventive maintenance refers to routine maintenance tasks that are carried out on a regular basis to avoid failures. These responsibilities include doing routine inspections, reporting equipment concerns, and changing parts before they fail. The basic purpose of preventative maintenance is to identify and address minor concerns before they turn into major issues.

Example of Preventive Maintenance

Below is a good example of preventive maintenance:

Over time, the aviation sector has improved its preventative maintenance methods. Before an aircraft may be allowed to fly, it must meet certain maintenance standards. Aircraft can be grounded if their systems fail. The Boeing 737, for example, has been grounded for nearly a year due to a faulty safety system.

Maintenance activities cannot wait until an aircraft breaks down since air accidents are invariably fatal. Failure of equipment must be prevented. Over the years, the industry’s strong preventative maintenance policy has dramatically reduced the incidence of incidents.

Why Is It Important

Most of us don’t have an idea why preventive maintenance is important to our packaging machine. Read on and find out all the importance involved in preventative maintenance.

• Cost-cutting.

Downtime that occurs unexpectedly and without warning incurs unanticipated and unpleasant consequences. These expenses might range from lost productivity to additional expenditures associated with damaged parts that could have been prevented with adequate preventative maintenance.

• Improved Machine Efficiency.

Unfortunately, there will be occasions when you do not expect your machine to break down and it does. Scheduling regular machine maintenance can help you avoid unplanned breakdowns hence improving the efficiency of your machine.

• Improved Reliability.

Knowing your process and the functions of each of your packing machines allows you to better anticipate which components will wear and how much run time you can expect from these worn parts. This also allows you to make changes before they stifle your output.

Advantages Of Preventive Maintenance

Routine preventive maintenance ensures that your facility functions smoothly and provides you with peace of mind. Here are seven advantages of preventive maintenance.

Increase the asset’s lifespan. Maintaining your equipment in good working order allows it to run for extended periods of time, cutting costs. This will make your assets last for a longer time and serve you effectively.

Breakdowns are less likely. You may dramatically reduce the danger of your equipment malfunctioning by planning maintenance ahead of time, providing you peace of mind as a facility manager.

Boost your productivity. Equipment that receives frequent preventative maintenance not only lasts longer but also runs more efficiently. This will be a big boost on the overall production of the company when all machines run more efficiently.

Reduce unscheduled downtime. Preventive maintenance plans can dramatically reduce downtime by scheduling work in advance. Machines will operate normally with no stoppage on production.

Encourage good health and safety. Maintaining accurate records and doing preventive maintenance can help your facility’s health and safety.

Enhance consumer loyalty. Preventive maintenance to avoid breakdowns and maintain the quality of the goods produced ensures consumer satisfaction, which in turn improves the brand image.

Spend less. All of the preceding considerations point to one final benefit of preventive maintenance: it saves money. Unplanned maintenance is usually 3 to 9 times more expensive than scheduled maintenance. You will spend more on unwanted repairs when you don’t adopt preventive maintenance.

Breakdown Maintenance

Breakdown maintenance is a method that involves only performing maintenance chores after an item has failed. Maintenance tasks are only carried out when they are deemed necessary. For example, once a water heater breaks down, you can repair or replace it.

Difference Between Preventive And Breakdown Maintenance

Preventive and breakdown maintenance can be distinguished. Read on the difference between preventive and breakdown maintenance below.

Breakdown maintenance is only conducted when an asset breaks down or experiences downtime, whereas preventive maintenance is scheduled maintenance work based on a prescribed length of time.

Preventative maintenance is important. Through routinely scheduled maintenance, any concerns are identified before equipment breakdown or downtime. Breakdown maintenance entails using equipment until it breaks down, after which repairs and maintenance are performed.

Preventive maintenance follows a schedule, with maintenance chores conducted at predetermined intervals before downtime occurs. This is because the purpose of preventive maintenance is to extend the equipment’s life and runtime.

Because it does not apply to all types of equipment, breakdown maintenance is rather specialized. For example, it is not a smart strategy for important or central parts of equipment, nor is it a viable strategy for anything involving human safety and health.

Work orders for inspection, lubrication and replacement of filters and parts based on manufacturer recommendations are included in preventive maintenance, whereas breakdown maintenance necessitates careful planning and execution to avoid losses. A facility technician, for example, would replace a light bulb that has burned out.

Breakdown Maintenance Examples

The most common application of planned breakdown maintenance is on low-cost, non-essential equipment parts. Organizations are free to purposefully choose run-to-failure as long as breakdowns do not jeopardize health and safety. When it comes to breakdown maintenance examples, the following scenarios are ideal:

• Assets with a Short Life Cycle for example batteries and high-flow pumps.
• Equipment that isn’t critical for example hand tools
• Machines That Cannot Be Repaired 
• Items that are inexpensive or disposable like light bulbs

Advantages Of Breakdown Maintenance

Breakdown maintenance is accompanied by a good number of benefits. Below are the advantages of breakdown maintenance. Check them out.

• Reduce the amount of unplanned downtime.

By identifying maintenance concerns early enough, breakdown maintenance plans can drastically reduce downtime.

• Boost your productivity.

Equipment that receives breakdown maintenance on time without delays will always last longer and run more efficiently.

Why Is It Important

Breakdown maintenance is very important to your company because it will boost your production process. How does it boost your production process? Since breakdown maintenance involves servicing a machine that was not in operation, this will boost your overall productivity. 

Corrective Maintenance

Corrective maintenance is the process of repairing systems and equipment that are not working properly. Corrective maintenance is a technique for repairing broken systems. Corrective maintenance can be described in two ways: as breakdown or as reactive maintenance.

Corrective Maintenance Examples

Corrective maintenance can be carried out on a wide range of machines, systems, and processes. Listed below are a few corrective maintenance examples:

Line of production. A technician uncovers substantial wear on a critical part or component during preventative maintenance on a line of production equipment. A corrective maintenance order to repair or restore that part could be issued during the next month.

Difference Between Corrective And Breakdown Maintenance

The most significant distinction is that breakdown maintenance is performed on non-operational equipment. Corrective maintenance is carried out on equipment that is still operational to some extent but will not reach its full capacity until it is maintained.

Advantages Of Corrective Maintenance

Many advantages are gained because the goal of corrective maintenance is to repair an asset so that it can work effectively and efficiently. Below is a list of the most important advantages of corrective maintenance:

• Reduce the number of emergency maintenance requests.

It’s possible that a corporation can reduce the number of emergency maintenance orders it creates if corrective orders can be completed quickly once they have been initiated.

• Boost employee security.

The flaws found and labeled as corrective maintenance in some situations may have serious safety implications for people working near the asset in question.

• Extend the useful life of an asset.

Corrective maintenance, when combined with good preventative maintenance, can help a company’s assets last longer. Early detection of errors in the machine and having it repaired early enough will minimize further breakdown of the machine. This will make the machine serve you for a longer time in your company.

Why Is It Important

Corrective maintenance plays a big role in your overall performance of your machine. It is important since it improves the efficiency and work rate of your can packaging machine and pouch packaging machine by rectifying the exact defaulted part of the machine. 

Predetermined Maintenance

The original manufacturer’s guidelines and suggestions are used to carry out predetermined maintenance. These suggestions are based on data gained from experiments. Typically, when the equipment is first purchased, the manufacturer provides statistics and guidelines, which will include data on the average lifespan of both the entire system and its various parts. The manufacturer will advise you on how frequently you should inspect, service, and replace parts.

Predetermined Maintenance Examples

Predetermined Maintenance examples include:

• Constant replacement of engine oil in different machines as advised by the manufacturer. Different packaging machines should always be lubricated to have it function efficiently. Regular replacement of engine oil is one of the predetermined maintenance every manufacturer would advise their clients to make.

• Regular replacement of auto parts from your packaging machines is another example of predetermined maintenance.

• Servicing of your machines in intervals of a certain period as advised.

Why Is It Important

The main importance of predetermined maintenance is the act of taking early precautions and having your maintenance done on time as instructed by the manufacturer. This will prevent your machine from a serious breakdown that would be even more expensive to repair.

Advantages of Predetermined Maintenance

All of the work has been done for you; all you have to do now is stick to the timetable and complete the tasks. And the schedule should be good because it is based on the manufacturer’s expertise of their products as well as ongoing research.

• Efficiency.

Machines do not have to fail in order to have a financial impact on a company. Unrecognized flaws can limit the efficiency of machinery, resulting in lower output or a lower-quality final product. Not only will this have an impact on sales, but it will also have an impact on the company’s and production facility’s reputation.

• Safety.

The safety consequences of machinery and equipment failure are significantly more important than the financial cost. Machines that are normally quite safe to operate might become dangerous if they are not maintained on a regular basis.

Maintenance Tips for Packaging Machines

• Always Inspect your packaging machine regularly.

Preventive maintenance is the key to extending the life of a packing machine. It is critical to developing a regular maintenance program in order to avoid problems with the machinery before they arise. Doing that will also assist to reduce unplanned and costly downtime. Ensure that you inspect your packaging machine for wear components on a regular basis. 

• Consider packaging machine upgrades from time to time.

Because technology advances so quickly these days, you will definitely need to upgrade or replace pieces of your packaging machine to keep it relevant and functional. It’s vital to stay in touch with your packaging machine maker to hear about necessary equipment improvements or to find out whether a specific item is being phased out.

• Select a Trustworthy Packaging Machine Manufacturer or Supplier.

Prior to acquiring a packaging machine, you should carefully select a manufacturer or supplier who will provide technical support in the event that the machine malfunctions. When your packing machinery is offline, every second will count. And the longer your machine is out of commission, the more money your company will lose. That is why it’s essential to work with a dependable manufacturer or supplier who can give both electrical and mechanical assistance.

Where To Get Maintenance And Repair Services For Packaging Machinery? 

There are several companies that provide packaging machine maintenance and repair. Choosing the best from them all is quite a challenge. But there are some factors that should be considered before making a decision. For instance the quality of machinery, reliability, and the experience of their technicians. The following recommendations are based on the above-stated capabilities.

Manufacturers 

Using a manufacturer for preventative maintenance and repair services for packaging machinery is another alternative. Manufacturers frequently employ service technicians who are well-versed in the products they create and sell. Because they often work exclusively on that brand of equipment for years, a manufacturer will often have the greatest specialists for their unique brand.

Levapack values packaging more than anybody else in the packaging industry. As a supplier of packaging machines, the company ensures each machine is meticulously wrapped in plastic wrap.m and hardwood. Fixed mechanisms are integrated into the equipment to prevent movement during transit, ensuring that the machine is in good working order once it arrives at the client. 

Before delivery, Levapack installs all of their can seamers so that they are ready to use when the client gets them. For other machines, online installation instruction is also available. In case the onsite installation is required, their engineer will assist you in installing and testing the equipment to ensure that it operates effectively and safely. All of our electrical parts are manufactured by world-renowned companies, allowing you to readily purchase and replace them if necessary. 

Local Distributors 

Packing distributors are an excellent alternative for packaging lines with machinery from numerous manufacturers, this is because they are brand agnostic and typically sell multiple types of machinery. Packing equipment such as can fillers, can sealers, can capping machines, labeling machines, and pre-made pouch packaging machines are designed, developed, and distributed by Levapack. 

The organization is always on the lookout for distributors that can sell and service packaging machines in diverse areas. Their commitment to the Gold Standard is geared to help clients expand their can packing machine business. Levapack is easy to work with, entirely transparent, and capable of offering outstanding conditions to assist customers in achieving your company goals.

Repair Companies

Packaging Companies have an option of employing their own preventative maintenance and repair experts, or they can rely on third parties through their network of partner firms. While many companies provide excellent and dependable packaging machinery repair services, it is possible that they will charge you extra. Especially if they hire a third-party OEM, distributor, or other third-party partners to meet your servicing needs. 

If you already use a packaging integrator for your packaging line, or if they are partners with other vendors you do business with, using one for service may make sense for your company. Levapack strives to make equipment maintenance and cleaning as easy and basic as feasible. Levapack professionals can repair all of your facility’s machinery and equipment while also ensuring that you are fully compliant. You can contact us to learn more about our equipment maintenance and machine cleaning services.

Conclusion

As you can see, it’s better to spend a small amount on maintenance on a regular basis rather than a large quantity when the machine breaks down. It is always a great thing to examine a few different companies when looking for a provider for repair and preventative maintenance for your packaging machine. The cost, location, service hours, technician availability, and any other factors that are vital to the performance of your packing process should all be considered.