When should Heatseal Bands be replaced?
Replace frequency is dependent on the material being sealed as well as the sealing temperature, time, and sealing rate. Higher temperatures longer seal times, and faster cycling will create more stress and faster degradation. Heatseal Band life can be prolonged by having the effective heated length of the band as close to the product width as possible.
If bands become blackened, or contaminated with foreign materials the band should be replaced.
After replacing a Heatseal Band, an AUTOCAL must always be done to assure accurate control.
What is the AUTOCAL?
AUTOCAL is an automatic function of the controller that passes a small current through the heatseal band in order to determine the resistance of the band at ambient temperature. The entire operation takes less than 15 seconds. (See Automatic Zero Calibration Document for more information)
How Often should the Teflon® Cover Strip be replaced?
Cover strip is an inexpensive consumable that contributes to the finished look of the seal. We recommend that it be replaced as soon as the appearance of the seal or the release properties of cover strip degrade. As with the heatseal band, the frequency of replacement is determined by the material, the sealing temperature, seal time, and cycle rate.
How often should the Silicone Strip, Durit of other Teflon® Tapes be replaced?
These materials also contribute to the final appearance of the seal. We recommend that they be inspected at each Heatseal Band replacement. If degraded or deformed, they should be replaced.
Does anything need to be lubricated?
There are no grease fittings to maintain. PackworldUSA uses Teflon® or Oilite bushings and bearings that do not require lubrication. It is enough to insure that they are clean and free of dirt or grime. The air cylinders should be receiving clean dry/lubricated air and should not require further maintenance.
Is there anything mechanical to check or adjust?
Jaw bars should be checked for their proper alignment, both when standing and when in operation. Check all bolts and screws on the jaw ends for tightness. This can greatly affect the performance of the system.
What about the pneumatic components? Do they need maintenance?
The Low Pressure setting should be verified. Remove the cover and locate the pressure gauge at the rear of the unit. Refer to your operator’s manual for the proper setting. Adjust if necessary with the regulator mounted next to the gauge. For safety reasons the Low Pressure Setting must not exceed the recommended limit. The solenoid valves are maintenance-free; check audibly for the sound of air leaks.
What about the Ropex Controller maintenance?
The controller is virtually maintenance-free. Besides keeping the faceplate clean and all electrical connections tight, the controller needs no maintenance. A yearly Calibration service is available for customers who wish to maintain records of sealing operations for purposes of validation.
It is important to remember that the controller is measuring very small values of resistance in the heatseal band. For this reason, we cannot stress enough the importance of tight, well-made, electrical connections in optimizing your system.
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Technology —The Optimum Sealing System— for consistent,
