Are Your Packaging Machine Spare Parts Affecting Productivity?

A packaging line is only as reliable as the parts that keep it running. The majority of production delays that are not discussed are not due to the main machine failing. These are from an old belt, a loose sensor or a sealing part that was long overdue for replacement weeks ago. Sometimes a problem with your packing machine may be as simple as a problem with the Packaging Machine Spare Parts inventory, rather than the machine itself.

Why are Small Spare Parts Such a Big Production Problem?

It’s hardly ever a major problem to begin with. A sealing jaw wears out a little, a sensor begins to misread by a certain amount, a belt goes out of tension — and operators make adjustments instead of changing it out. After a period of weeks, these minor issues combine to create erratic sealing, jamming and machines operating at less than full capacity.

Most of this can be prevented, the frustrating thing being that it is. Spare parts have a lifespan, and after it expires, the machine may appear in perfect condition, but is not. Replacing them when they fail is just about always more expensive because of the downtime than it is to have the part.

What Packaging Machine Spare Parts Should You Monitor on Your Production Line?

There are a couple of parts that tend to be the most troublesome when overlooked:

The components of the seal degrade due to repeated heat and pressure cycles and as soon as components break down, the quality of the seal decreases even if the machine settings are not changed.

Over time, belts and rollers lose their grip and alignment, thereby having a direct impact on the consistency of the material moving through a machine.

Sensors and switches can be easily forgotten but they help to control timing and accuracy — a slight error on a sensor can disrupt an entire packing cycle without any apparent warning.

Blades are also becoming dull over time resulting in rough or improper cuts that are causing the line to slow as the operator makes the repairs for each cut.

But it is the regular monitoring of the condition of these components, not until they fail, that can keep a packaging line running at full speed.

What is the Benefit of Getting the Correct Spare Parts?

This is where a lot of manufacturers get time wasted without them knowing. Parts not manufactured to the machine’s actual specification can loosen in the machine, wear out prematurely or lead to performance issues from day one.

Direct sourcing of packaging machine spare parts from the original manufacturer or a supplier that truly grasps the design of the machine really makes a difference. Replies made to the original design fit into the line, endure for as long as they are used regularly and maintain the entire line as per its original design.

Businesses that have been running machines for years need to have a reliable spare parts supplier on hand, just as much as they need the machine.

Final Thoughts

Typically, productivity issues on a packaging line are not caused by a single major issue. They slowly accumulate, causing worn belts, tired sensors, and forgotten seals and eventually, the entire line is operating at less than capacity. The key to staying ahead of this is to keep treating Packaging Machine Spare Parts as a regular maintenance rather than an emergency service.

Since 1991, Galaxy Packaging Machines has been manufacturing and supplying quality packaging machines and spare parts to major manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha and Hero Cycles.

FAQs

Q. When should packaging machine spare parts be inspected?
Ongoing inspections, usually as part of routine maintenance, can detect wear before it impacts on production.

Q. Which spare parts will last the longest?
Sealing components, belts, and cutting blades usually wear out, as they are used more frequently.

Q. Are machines affected by the use of non-original spare parts?
Yes, components that aren’t manufactured to exact specifications will not fit as well or last as long as original components.

Q. Is complete machine breakdown caused by worn out spare parts?
Absolutely, these minor wear problems can compound over time and cause larger mechanical problems, and subsequent downtime.