It is essential for production lines to run at their most optimal setting so that work is not redone and subpar product sent out. While it may seem that your packaging production line is running smooth and efficiently, obstacles may exist that are preventing optimal operating speeds. Be sure to look out for these common problems that are probably slowing your production line down.

Guide Rails

Your equipment will wear out over time and the guide rails on your line are no exception. There are many factors that lead to worn out guide rails. Initially selecting the proper width, elevation, and material for the guide rail is very important to ensure the least amount of wear. When wear is apparent, replacement is important to avoid jams and costly maintenance downtime. Replacing the guide rails on your line will not only benefit the functionality of your workplace but also help to avoid any health and safety risks.

Supplier is Out of the Loop

The fastest way to halt production on your line is to run out of the consumable material that you need and obtain from your suppliers. While the likelihood of this happening is slim, if you experience a sudden increase in sales or are launching a new product, you will want to be as prepared as possible. To minimize the chances of slowed production, always keep in regular contact with your supplier to ensure their awareness of your forecasts and unexpected sales spikes.

Inspection of Incoming Supplies

If you’re running a high-volume packaging line, one of the last predicaments you want to be faced with is faulty or defective packaging materials being put into the production line. These defects include easily smudgeable labels or misprinted cartons. You know that product with inferior packaging cannot be shipped but often times defects are not noticed until packaging has advanced part way through the line. This type of problem means you have to contact your supplier and if immediate replacement containers cannot be provided, you will need to shut down the line. To avoid faulty materials from going onto the line, the inspection process needs to be thorough at the initial stages of the packaging line.

Design for Different Operating Speeds

Each piece of the equipment down the line requires a specific, and oftentimes different, amount of time to complete its tasks. To avoid any build-up of materials down the line, try to position slower machines and faster machines with sufficient accumulation areas between them to allow for a steady flow of product to prevent jamming or damaging backlogged products.

Machines are Out of Sync

If the software, control systems, and equipment are not integrated with each other properly, the processing of materials through the production line will be rough and uneven. At every juncture in the line, there is an electronic handoff where the next piece of equipment takes over from the last one. If the timing or speed of this transition is not precise, the downstream machine may detect a problem and suspend operation.

The Bottom Line

Luckily, you do not have to deal with every issue alone. There are a variety of packaging equipment manufacturer companies that provide tools and services to help maximize the efficiency your packaging production line. At CSS International we are proud to be one of the most trusted. With 70 years of manufacturing experience, we offer products to keep your line up-to-date and running quickly.

If you have any questions about your production line, get in contact with one of our experienced conveyor accessory engineers today!