So, what’s the best way to look after your automated shrink wrapping equipment?  Here are some top tips from the engineering team at Yorkshire Packaging Systems (YPS), who specialise in helping their customers to service, maintain and optimise their packaging machinery: 

Schedule preventative servicing 

A planned maintenance schedule delivers many benefits: 

• Planned servicing is easier to manage than unexpected breakdowns. 

• Worn components can be identified and changed before they fail and cause unnecessary and unexpected downtime. 

• The cost of a service visit, if a cost is applied, is significantly lower than the cost of lost production caused by an unexpected failure. 

At YPS, servicing is considered so vital that they include a free service contract with every machine sale.  Further service contracts, and contracts for non-YPS-supplied equipment, can also be arranged. 

While service visits can be arranged as needed, best practice is to arrange a schedule that takes account of anticipated throughput as well as the machine manufacturer’s advice creating a personalised schedule that is optimal for the production environment in question. 

Conduct routine inspections, cleaning and maintenance 

Inspections, cleaning and maintenance should be baked-in routines, that don’t need to wait for a full service visit.   

What does a good routine consist of for each element of the automated shrink wrapping line?: 

• Cutting and sealing system:  keep the sealing bar clean, removing all debris; check blades for wear or damage; check sealing temperature and dwell time; examine finished packs for weak seals, incomplete cuts or excessive scorching. 

• Shrink tunnel: keep the tunnel clean and free from film; check fans and air circulation; inspect heaters and temperature sensors. 

• Sensors and safety systems: regularly test product sensors; keep them clean and aligned; check emergency stops and guards; check these particularly after other checks and cleaning routines have been carried out. 

• Conveyors and other moving parts: check for wear, tracking and tension; inspect rollers, chains, bearings and other moving components, ensuring they can move freely; lubricate using manufacturer recommended specifications; be aware of unusual noises, vibration or resistance. 

Overall, checking that settings remain as agreed and consistent is also important.  It’s tempting to alter settings to ‘tweak’ the performance of the machine but this may hide a mechanical issue that ultimately will need to be properly addressed.  Checking the current settings against standard operating procedures will flag if changes are being made, allowing engineers to understand how the machine may be operating differently. 

Great everyday practise can prevent issues or highlight any that arise as early as possible so that they can be dealt with before a breakdown is likely to occur. 

Monitor performance and output 

Rather than simply checking over the machine in question, reviewing performance and output can also be vital in picking up any issues.   

Encourage operators to watch for changes which may be an indicator that a part needs to be changed.  Examples of these changes are: 

• Increasing film consumption  

• Slower cycle times  

• Product jams  

• Temperature fluctuations  

• Unusual noise or vibration  

Equally, ensuring that the output is consistent is helpful in making sure that no maintenance issues are present.  Having an example of an ideal pack to hand, or pictures of one, is a simple aide to checking and rechecking that the required pack standard is being achieved. 

Ensure operators are well-trained 

Making sure your operators know how to use the machine properly is the key to avoiding a lot of faults and potential damage. They are key to ensuring that the above cleaning, maintenance and monitoring routines are carried out correctly. 

To ensure that packaging machines are operated at their best, training operators thoroughly is vital and working with a supplier that will oversee this is key.  For examole, unlimited, comprehensive training is delivered free of charge by the YPS engineering team for every machine the company installs.  

To support your operators, it’s also recommended to have a copy of the detailed machine manual readily available as a point of reference – this can be easily and safely stored inside the electrical cabinet. For some models of packaging machine videos of key processes are available from the HMI, so they’re always on hand. 

Run compatible, high-quality films 

Purchasing cheaper films is always a false economy when it comes to getting the best from your shrink wrapping equipment and the best pack quality.  

Using high-end films reduces costs in production through reduced temperatures in the tunnel and faster seal times, translating into greater production rates. In addition, high-end films also reduce the build-up of film caught along the sealing jaw/blade which will not only produce poor seals on your packs but will affect the lifespan of the part.  

High-quality films can include the latest Ultra-Thin Technology. This means the gauge is reduced compared to conventional films, without any sacrifice to their properties. The thinner micron films can be run at lower temperatures and therefore significantly reduce the output pressure on the sealers and shrink tunnels over time, whilst also removing the potential for damage caused by scorching or blistering. 

Use genuine manufacturer or recommended parts 

Some machine parts will inevitably experience wear and tear and require replacement from time to time. 

To ensure that downtime is kept to a minimum, we’d recommend keeping critical spare parts available.  For your convenience, some suppliers, including YPS, will provide a dedicated spare parts list with every machine, preferably with parts categorised according to the frequency they will need to be changed.

Overall, poor-quality replacement parts may reduce reliability or create further problems. To avoid this, we’d recommend checking with your supplier that the part you’re looking to fit is recommended as compatible with your equipment. 

Looking for help with your servicing? 

Observing the simple tips above will prolong the lifespan of your machinery and its component parts.   However, for those looking to extend or purchase a service contract, the YPS engineering team would be happy to discuss how they can help your team to keep your machinery running at its best for the long term.