1. Prepare the machine properly.
It is critically important to keep the film tracking tension as constant as possible. Perform a cleanliness inspection before starting every shift, and preheat the machine to the application temperature before starting production.
2. Back up your quality commitment.
There is no substitute for strong management, constant leadership, and regular involvement in developing people skills and training. Implement an efficient and effective maintenance program to keep the performance and availability of the equipment high. Make operator checklists routine and welcome feedback.
3. Maintain consistent proper pressure.
Where the seal jaws come together, consistent pressure is critical to: 1) ensure exactly parallel alignment between upper and lower seal jaws; 2) ensure equal pressure across the seal, which in turn means matched springs that are changed as a set; and 3) ensure smooth operation as pressure is applied with no interference to the up-and-down motion of the spring-loaded jaw.
4. Line up the side guides.
When running an unstable package in a long edge leading direction, keep the side guides as straight as possible and 100% parallel to the conveyor’s chain or belt. Also, it is very important to use low-friction materials for side guides.
5. Run the equipment at its sweet spot.
The sweet spot is roughly about 80% of the cycle rate of the machine. Earn the right to incrementally increase the speed as you can demonstrate control and consistency. The sweet spot can be higher for stable and tight variances on containers or materials as well as for products with curved corner edges.
