It is common for modern machines in any industry to have wearable parts when used day in and day out. Proper machine maintenance helps to ensure machines last longer. A shrink wrap machine is no different. We have customers using our shrink wrap machines 24 hours per day. With this much usage, there are common parts that wear faster than others.
In this post, we are going to look at some common wearable parts on our L bar and I bar sealers. Keeping extra wearable parts on hand will help prevent a line shut down and production loss. We are going to look at wearable parts on sealers with sealing wires and sealers with micro knives.
The difference between a micro knife and a sealing wire can be seen in the images below. The major difference is the design of the wire and knife. A sealing wire is thinner and made for low to moderate production. A micro knife is made for all-day use and higher production levels.
Wearable Parts For Sealers w/Sealing Wires
From the Left: Wire Replacement, Fuse, Silicone Sealing Bar, 3/4 Inch Tape, 1/2 Inch Tape
Wire Replacement – The sealing wire is what heats up during sealing and makes the seal. A sealing wire is a lot like a wire filament in a light bulb. Eventually, after enough usage, it will need to be replaced. It is very common to replace sealing wires after a few thousand seals or less depending on the film being used. In the image below, the sealing wire is below the tape on the sealing bar.
Fuse – Like any electrical machine, shrink wrap sealers have fuses to protect them from electrical surges. Any sealer we sell uses easy-to-find electrical fuses found at most hardware stores.
Silicone Sealing Bar – The silicone sealing bar is at the bottom of a wire sealer. When the sealing wire is pressed on the shrink wrap, the silicone bar is the bottom piece that the hot wire is pressed against. The silicone bar needs to be replaced when noticeable grooves develop in the silicone from the sealing wire. This often takes a very long time to develop if running the sealer on a low temperature. Hint: the silicone sealing bar can be turned over before purchasing a new one if one side develops grooves.
Replacement Tape – The most wearable item on a shrink wrap sealer. Teflon tape helps to protect the sealing wire from residue build up. Over time the film develops a black residue where being sealed. The Teflon tape is used to protect the wire from the residue. The tape should be replaced if it develops excessive residue build up or if it is burned through exposing the sealing wire.
Wearable Parts For Sealers w/Micro Knives
From the Left: Fuse, Transit Channel, 3/4 Inch Tape, 1/2 Inch Tape, Micro Knife
Fuse – As explained above, a fuse is found in most electrical devices. It protects the machines from electrical surges. All of our machines use easily accessible fuses that can be found at most hardware stores.
Transit Channel – A transit channel is made from porcelain and is used for positioning the micro knife. The transit channel has a small channel the size of the micro knife width. The knife is inserted and rests in the channel. Transit channels often only need to be replaced after several thousands of seals. An indicator of the need for a new channel is if the knife easily pulls out of the channel after making a seal.
Replacement Tape – For a shrink wrap sealer with a micro knife, Teflon tape is used as the material the micro knife is pressed against when making a seal. In the picture below you can see how the tape is used on the opposite side of the micro knife. We often recommend purchasing a ten-yard roll of tape upon the purchase of a sealer with a micro knife. It is by far the most commonly replaced item on sealers with a micro knife.
Micro Knife – A micro knife is a thick piece of wire used for high output sealing operations. The micro knife is more durable and long-lasting than a traditional sealing wire. Micro knives can last tens of thousands of seals when properly maintained. A damp cloth used to wipe the knife at the end of each shift when the machine is unplugged tremendously lengthens the life of a micro knife. When a micro knife needs to be replaced, it will break or have too much residue build up on the knife to properly make seals.
Anytime your businesses production depends on a shrink wrap sealer, having wearable parts on-hand is recommended. The ability to quickly change wearable items eliminates unnecessary halts to production. We offer all wearable and non-wearable parts to the machines we sell. Call us at 1-800-441-5090 or shop online if you would like to purchase a shrink wrap machine from a company that can quickly provide parts and support if needed.
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