Replacement of Wear Parts Keeps the Packaging Process Consistent
Whether filling, capping or otherwise preparing liquid products, keeping the process consistent not only gives the packager peace of mind, but also builds customer confidence and loyalty by ensuring they always receive what they expect. To ensure that packaging machinery stays consistent, certain components of the equipment may need to be replaced on occasion. These components are known as wear parts.
Wear parts typically come in contact with products, bottles, caps, or other items used in the packaging process. For example, nozzle seals on an overflow filler contact the bottle to cover the opening during the filling process. The disks used on a spindle capper will contact the cap to tighten the closure. The wear parts found on each machine will differ based on the application and the type of machine. But over time, the contact with other parts or components during the packaging process will cause these items to wear, hence the title, wear parts.
Eventually, the parts will deteriorate from the contact to the point that the machinery may function inconsistently. Worn nozzle seals may allow liquid to escape during the filling process, leading to spills and incorrect fill levels. The rubber of a spindle disk may wear to the point that caps are no longer tightened consistently or fall off of bottles during the capping process. Once the machine begins performing inconsistently, operators should first check the wear parts for signs of excessive erosion. Fortunately, replacing these components will usually immediately bring back consistent performance absent another, underlying issue, and almost all wear parts are simple to swap. These parts should not wear quickly, nor should they need frequent replacement. Continual replacement of components could be a sign of another issue.
To reduce downtime or inconsistent runs, Liquid Packaging Solutions always suggests that packagers keep common wear parts in stock at their facility. The components cannot be quickly and easily replaced if they are not on the premises! By keeping extra nozzle seals or spindle capper disks on hand, production is less likely to be interrupted by long shipping times, fabrication of custom parts, or simple out-of-stock items.
As noted above, different packaging machines will make use of different wear parts. If you are unsure of what exactly constitutes a wear part on any of your equipment, simply call the Parts & Service Department at LPS for assistance in identifying those items that will keep your packaging process efficient and consistent!