How to Maintain Automatic Bottle Making Machines

If you have a bottle-making business, you must keep your machines well-maintained. Caring for automatic bottle-making machines is just as important as changing the oil on a car. If these machines fail, it adds expenses and causes delays during production. However, if you take care of your equipment correctly, it will always run reliably.

What is The Importance Of Machine Maintenance?

Consider your bottle-making machine the central part of your business. Without the battery, none of the other systems can function. If you maintain your equipment regularly, there is less chance of a sudden breakdown that could halt your production line. Thus, you’ll be protected from loss due to missed sales or unexpectedly high repair charges.

When machines are well-maintained, they tend to work longer. If you take proper care, the equipment may remain useful for years rather than needing to be changed regularly. Moreover, adequate machine maintenance ensures you make high-quality bottles with fewer defects, keeping your customers satisfied.

 

Day-to-Day Maintenance Tasks

• Having your team perform basic maintenance before beginning any daily production task is good. It takes roughly 30 minutes, but it could help you avoid much trouble in the long run. Take a tour of the machine to see if anything looks out of place. Inspect the guards, find loose bolts, and check for unfamiliar sounds.
• Remove any plastic residue around the molds and the rest of the machine surfaces. Clean the surface with the approved cloth and recommended products explained by the manufacturer. Check the heating parts and cooling fans, as dirt and debris can change the temperature.
• Be sure to check the hydraulics, engine, and coolant oil. A lack of these fluids could damage your machine’s important parts. You should also examine the air pressure systems and confirm that the readings on the gauges are consistent.

 

Regular Weekly Cleaning

• Try to do a more thorough cleaning at least once a week. This requires turning off the machine and checking it closely. With the correct tools, remove any plastic remaining in the molds without causing scratches. Also, all the electrical connections should be examined to see if they are overheated or corroded.
• Lubricate all the moving components as the manufacturer schedules to maintain your machine. Different lubricants are used for other parts because they are not interchangeable. Putting on too much lubricant can be equally risky as not putting in enough, so use the prescribed amount.
• Inspect the belts and chains for easy movement and normal tension. Loose belts can make the bottle low-quality, but if belts are too tight, they may damage other parts and stress the motor. If you notice a belt wearing on the edges, replace it.

 

Planned Monthly Activities

• From time to time, closer examinations are carried out, which means disassembling certain parts. The molds are examined for any problems influencing the bottles' quality. Issues with molds can result in weak points in bottles that could break later.
• If your machine has a water-cooling system, look into all the filters, including air, oil, and water filters. A clogged filter strains the machine and can produce dirty air. Instead of only replacing them when they look dirty, change your filters according to the advice given by the refrigerator manufacturer.
• Check whether the emergency stops, light curtains, and pressure relief valves work properly. These systems should always perform flawlessly because they are vital for the safety of your employees and equipment.

 

Ensuring You Have Proper Records

• While recording each action you take might be dull, it is still necessary for maintenance. Keep an accurate record of your daily inspections, tiresome tasks, and any difficulties encountered. Make a note anytime a filter is replaced, a new lubricant is added, or a part is changed.
• This method of recording data helps you identify trends. It could be that the machine has issues on warm days or some parts are wearing out more quickly than planned. If you keep good records, you can arrange repairs and get new parts before you run out of them.
• It is essential to watch over production outputs and quality problems. When you discover more broken bottles than usual, it may be a symptom that something in the system needs to be checked.

 

Training Your Employees

Your maintenance program is only effective if your employees are competent. Ensure everyone who works with the machines knows what to observe and how to perform maintenance safely. Regular training sessions will inform everyone of the latest best practices.

Instruct operators to watch for unusual sounds, vibrations, and changes in the bottle’s appearance. Generally, the person who runs the machine every day can catch problems in their early stages. If something seems odd, ask them to tell someone, even if they are unsure they should.

 

Making a Repair Schedule

Even if everything is kept in top condition, all parts will still wear down and eventually have to be replaced. Always have a supply of belts, filters, seals, and fuses on hand. Being prepared means you won’t have to wait for days before fixing an issue.

Form relationships with skilled suppliers and service technicians. You know who to contact and receive quick answers if needed. A few companies have contracts that ensure they respond quickly to urgent situations.

 

Energy Efficiency

If your machines are maintained, they use less energy, helping you save on your bills. A machine with clean heating elements, lubricated parts, and filters will operate more efficiently. Because of these factors, operating costs become lower.

Check how much energy you use and try to notice any patterns. If the electricity you use increases but the amount of energy you create stays the same, it may show that some maintenance is required.

 

Conclusion

You don’t have to make the maintenance of these machines complicated, but you should do it on a routine schedule. A routine including daily, weekly, and monthly checks will ensure that your machines operate smoothly for many years.

Proper maintenance helps you save money in the long run. Regularly taking care of your business will save you time and money and result in higher-quality products. Focus on basic daily activities and gradually increase them. If you care for your equipment, your employees and customers will see the benefits.