Preventive Maintenance and Service (Is Not Just For Cars)
February 1, 2017
You love your car. In not only gets you from point A to point B but it's pretty much the backbone of your life. It gets you to work, it brings your kids to practice, and it gets you to the golf course on Saturday.
You would never dream of forgoing tune-ups or maintenance. You want your car to have the longest, healthiest life possible as it enables you to be productive and supports the lifestyle you enjoy.
Why should your packaging machinery be any different?
Packaging equipment is the backbone of your business. It packages your products, gets them to your consumers faster, and enhances their quality. Added efficiencies from packaging automation reduce your reliance on costly, unpredictable human labor. Without it, you would most likely resort to manual packaging which would negatively impact your throughput, accuracy, and bottom line.
So give your packaging machine some TLC. Here are 3 things you can do to ensure your packaging automation equipment lives a long, healthy life:
1. Schedule regular preventive maintenance.
Don't wait for the 'check engine' light to come on before seeking help. Even the most expensive cars designed with the latest technologies can cease to perform if they don't receive proper preventive maintenance. Scheduling your packaging machinery for regular maintenance by a certified technician is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your machinery serves you well for many years to come.
So put it on your calendar. Today.
2. Schedule regular machine inspections.
Get your packaging machinery inspected by an expert at regular intervals (once or twice per year). This can address current, pressing issues as well as detect possible future issues that can be addressed while they are still minimal. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
3. Train and retain your staff.
This one feels kind of like a no-brainer, but workforce training and retention remains one of the biggest challenges facing manufacturers today. A well-trained machine operator is more adept at noticing when things just seem 'off' and can preemptively make adjustments to prevent problems from snowballing.
Retaining this highly-trained staff can also enhance your machine's lifespan by simply ensuring well-qualified operators are the ones working with the equipment. They can also pass their knowledge to others. A well-trained staff is key to machine performance and packaging line success.
The bottom line.
Like cars, packaging machines should last for many years, even decades. But if they are not serviced, inspected, and maintained on a regular basis, easily fixable issues can turn into expensive, calamitous problems that can shut down your production lines and erode your bottom line. You may be able to get a 'loaner' car from the mechanic, but unfortunately, there's no such thing in the packaging equipment world.
Need help planning your machine preventive maintenance?
A service plan provided by your packaging machine manufacturer's certified experts can give you peace-of-mind and ensure a long life for your equipment. Find out more here:
