If you’re running a small business that involves shipping goods to vendors and customers then you know it is important to have quality packaging. Effective packaging will not only keep your products fresh but will also ensure that they arrive at their destination undamaged.

It’s with this in mind that many business owners invest in heat sealers of all sizes. No matter what size heat sealer you’re using, it’s essential to keep it maintained. This will avoid downtime in your shipping process. This post takes a look at the basic steps involved in keeping your heat sealers in working condition.

What are Heat Sealers?

Simply put, heat sealers use heat to seal your product between two sheets of film or foil. The heat not only extracts all the oxygen from the package but creates a vacuum sealing around the product.

Heat sealers are effective in packaging items such as pharmaceuticals and electronic components during the shipping process. Food products can also be sealed via heat sealing as they improve shelf-life and maintain freshness.

There are many benefits to adding a heat sealer to your packaging process. The most significant of these are listed below:

• Creates a tamper-proof seal: The most popular reason for using these machines is the superior, tamper-proof seal they create. This seal ensures that your products don’t fall out of the packaging when it’s handled during the shipping process. This seal is also impossible to open and reseal which means these bags can’t be opened and then resealed.
• No need for extra adhesion: When the heat sealer heats the two pieces of film, plastic, or foil around the product, the pieces of film are fused. This means that there’s no need for extra adhesive to seal the bag. This not only simplifies the process but also saves you money in the long run.
• Secures products in a protective bag: Packages can be handled many times during the shipping process. This can result in items getting damaged. The heat seal creates a tight vacuum around the product, making it almost impossible to break if the package is dropped. This is especially handy when you’re shipping delicate items such as jewelry, beads, or electronic components.

Quick and Easy Maintenance

All machines in your business require a certain amount of maintenance to ensure they always run optimally. Neglecting to maintain your heat sealer may result in downtime if it breaks or malfunctions. Here’s a list of the pointers you should keep in mind when it comes to heat sealer maintenance.

1.     Draw up a Maintenance Checklist

Most heat sealer machines are simple enough for you to do the maintenance yourself. In his case, you’ll need to refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines to get an idea of how often this needs to be done. Keep in mind that factors such as age, frequency of use, and model type may contribute to how often you need to service your machine.

If you have staff using the machine, involve them in the maintenance plan. Frequently using the machine may make it easier for them to identify any glitches that may signal a need for servicing. Schedule maintenance for days or times when you’re packaging department is least busy.

2.     Invest in Preventative Maintenance

As a business owner, you may think it’s not necessary to invest in preventative maintenance for a small heat sealer.  However, consider the delay in your packaging process if you have orders that need to be sent out, but your machine is not working.

Avoid this by outsourcing your preventative maintenance to a service agent that’s authorised by the manufacturer. In most cases, the service agent will perform some or all of the following routine service tasks:

• Check all components of the machine thoroughly.
• Replace worn or damaged parts.
• Provide you with a list of essential spare parts to keep in stock for quick repairs.
• Lubricate components where necessary.

3.     Stock Up on Spare Parts

Your service technician will provide you with a list of the spare parts that need to be replaced most frequently. Having these on hand will ensure that you don’t have to wait for the manufacturer to courier them to you when the machine becomes faulty.

The more often you service your machine the easier it will be to identify the parts you need to replace the most. These could vary depending on the model and frequency of use.

Keeping one or two of these components handy will ensure that you’re able to keep your machine working at all times. Speak to your service agent for training on how to replace these so that you can fix the machine without delay.

Final Thoughts

Your heat sealer will undoubtedly play a crucial role in your packaging process. That means it’s essential to keep it well maintained to ensure that it keeps working the way it’s supposed to. By using our easy-to-follow tips you’ll l be able to keep your heat sealer maintained without creating any downtime.