In the food packaging industry, a sudden failure of a vacuum pump can lead to unplanned downtime, production delays, and spoiled goods. Both the loss of productivity and the need for emergency repairs can hurt you financially while also potentially compromising your reputation. Vacuum sealing machine preventive maintenance increases your business’s efficiency and reduces the risk of these disruptions occurring.
Vacuum packing machines are specialised machines that remove all oxygen from a pouch with a product inside it before sealing the pouch airtight. These machines prevent contamination and maintain a product’s shelf life, which is why they’re so commonly used not only in food service but in other industries like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and electronics.
Unlike reactive maintenance, which responds to situations when they arise, preventive maintenance focuses on identifying potential problems before they occur. Preventive maintenance is one of the top three most requested areas of VACPAC’s vacuum packaging services.
Being proactive is the most effective approach to vacuum packaging machine maintenance. It decreases the likelihood of issues occurring while increasing the lifespans of your machines and their components.
VACPAC can provide the services, products, and solutions you need for your vacuum products, regardless of your situation. Here’s the VACPAC guide to vacuum sealing machine preventive maintenance and why it’s an important approach.
Key Components of Vacuum Sealing Machine Preventive Maintenance
Keeping any machine running at the peak of its safety and efficiency requires a strategic set of actions and practices. Here are some of the key components involved in vacuum sealing machine preventive maintenance:
Inspections
Scheduling visual and operational inspections at designated times gives you the chance to pick up on damage and wear and tear before it escalates to causing more serious problems.
Replacing seals and filters
Even small components can make a large impact on the efficiency of your vacuum pump. Filters that are too clogged with contaminants can reduce the airflow and strain the pump, while leaking seals reduce efficiency and increase the risk of contamination.
Lubrication
Applying lubricants to moving parts such as balls or bearings helps to reduce friction and prevent components from wearing out early.
Vacuum line/valve checks
Valve issues or leaks in vacuum lines have an adverse effect on pump efficiency. Regular testing of hoses, valves and other connections helps ensure the equipment keeps running smoothly.
Debris removal
Over time, dust, chemicals, and other debris accumulate inside the pump, compromising its performance. It’s important to regularly clean the machine and its internal components. This involves everything from wiping down the sealing bar to cleaning out the drip tray to using a soft brush or compressed air to remove debris from internal areas.
Common Issues Prevented With Regular Maintenance
Regular vacuum packaging machine maintenance helps prevent a number of common challenges associated with the industry, including:
Unplanned downtime
In industries like food packaging and manufacturing, unplanned downtime is more than an inconvenience. The longer it continues, the greater your risk of a range of problems, including lost revenue, food waste, financial losses, and damage to your relationships with both suppliers and the public. Preventive maintenance allows for the early detection of potential problems and gives you plenty of time to take action.
Emergency repairs
Emergency repairs are often necessary to mitigate the damage that unplanned downtime causes. Yet the combined costs of repairs, labour and replacement parts often far exceed the costs associated with preventive maintenance. Even if you find an affordable deal on repairs, preventing problems before they occur still tends to be the most effective option.
Reduced efficiency
Regular maintenance ensures machines operate at their peak, resulting in faster and more effective vacuum sealing. Neglecting maintenance leads to inefficiency and products with reduced shelf lives.
Contamination
Built-up bacteria, dust and food particles on the machine’s components can spread to packages and contaminate food products.
The Benefits of Increasing Efficiency through Preventive Maintenance
Vacuum sealing machine preventive maintenance doesn’t just prevent problems; it increases the efficiency of your operations in the following ways:
Extending the lifespan of equipment
Vacuum packaging equipment is under considerable pressure, often handling heavy workloads and operating at very high temperatures. Regular maintenance can slow the wear and tear of vital components and keep machines operating for longer, reducing both planned and unplanned downtime.
Better energy efficiency
Worn pumps or those with leaks or clogs have to work harder, consuming more energy in the process. Preventive maintenance saves money by making your machinery more energy-efficient.
Lower repair costs
As with all machinery, repairs are inevitable at some stage. Yet routine maintenance and minor replacements are a lot more affordable than emergency repairs. Preventive maintenance ensures that when problems do occur, the cost of fixing them is minimised.
Consistent products and performance
In industries like food packaging, reliable performance means a reliable quality of product. Preventive maintenance helps ensure smooth and consistent operations, resulting in a consistent standard of product quality.
Creating a Preventive Maintenance Schedule
There are several factors that are important to consider when designing a vacuum sealing machine’s preventive maintenance schedule. Look at the manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines to find your machine’s ideal service intervals and parts. High-demand vacuum machines and those operating in harsh environments require more servicing than those that are only used on occasion.
Your own maintenance schedule will depend on your machine and the environment of your business, but a general guideline is:
Identify your machine
Familiarise yourself with its specific components and requirements, as well as the recommended service intervals.
List maintenance tasks and intervals
Determine the tasks that need to be undertaken on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis, e.g., cleaning the seal bar and chamber, inspecting belts and chains in depth, and organising a yearly service with the replacement of worn-out components.
Create checklists
It’s easy to miss intervals and forget important steps in the maintenance process, something that detailed checklists can help to prevent.
Assign responsibilities and staff training
Delineate who is responsible for performing each maintenance task and make sure your team is properly trained in their assigned procedures.
Document
Use a system to automate scheduling and keep a detailed log of all maintenance measures, including the tasks performed, their dates and any problems you discover.
If you want some expert advice on crafting the right maintenance schedule or some professional-quality servicing, VACPAC is happy to assist you
Keep Your Machines at Their Maximum Performance with VACPAC
VACPAC can help keep your vacuum packaging machines running as efficiently and reliably as possible. A vacuum packaging machine supplier offering purpose-built solutions for the food and manufacturing industries, VACPAC has advanced technology and cutting-edge design and a commitment to reliable help and support.
VACPAC’s services include both preventive and responsive maintenance as well as emergency breakdowns, staff training and equipment for hire.
VACPAC is known for loaning and selling the best equipment in the business, with our top-quality European brands renowned for engineering excellence. With over 20 years of experience in the field, we remain dedicated to continually improving and embracing new technologies.
Get in touch with VACPAC online to find out more about our services.
