Many manufacturers in 2021 saw increased demand, supply chain shortages, labor shortages, and let’s not forget the ever-present threat Coronavirus had on keeping your doors open. Whether you’ve jumped one or all of these hurdles, one thing is for sure… 2021 has left us all saying, ‘oh brother, what’s next!?’ 2022 as yet remains shrouded in mystery, so to quell your anticipatory anxiety, here are two DO’s and two DON’Ts that the experts at Best Packaging recommend to help you ‘baton the hatches’ to your end of line and prepare for whatever comes next.
Don’t
Fall behind on Preventative Maintenance
When you’re constantly adapting to new circumstances, everyday maintenance tends to fall by the wayside. But that’s precisely when it is needed most! Failure to regularly clean, lube and exchange worn parts can escalate a minor breakdown to a total catastrophe. Consider boosting your PM plan with performance monitoring technology. By combining line counter data with hands-on technician experience, you’ll get the clearest insight to predict wear and tear issues.
Overspend on Disposables
Disposables like stretch film, tape, and corrugate are called such because they are intended to be used once and thrown away. When you spend more than you need on single-use materials, you are essentially just throwing your money away! This happens when case tapers require more than one pass, when stretch film is so thin that it requires additional wraps, or when your cases are thicker than necessary for your application. Getting the right thickness or tension is a delicate science best left to an expert. Find out where you could be saving money by having our team of production line designers (and an ASTM contributor!) audit your plant for inefficiencies.
Do
Explore Automation
Integration doesn’t JUST mean robots. Advancements in manufacturing technology have steadily been picking up steam over the past few years. The infrastructure is finally available to make Industry 4.0 technology not only feasible for the average manufacturer, but affordable too. Take a few baby steps into the vast realm of IIOT (Industrial Internet Of Things) by implementing sensor automation with PLC integration to your existing equipment.
Take Care of Your Team
At a time when labor is scarce and employee welfare is ever the subject of public scrutiny, consider what you could be doing to improve plant safety or reduce the strain on your machine operators and material handlers. For example, graduating to a semi-automatic packing system, like a Wexxar Bel 507 & 150 combo that features a tilted packing station for better ergonomics could increase your packages per minute and still keep your valued workforce comfortable while performing repetitive motions.
If you are interested in exploring any of the solutions we suggested above, we’d love to get in touch! Or, if you need something more specific, Best Packaging is happy to assess your current production line to create a more personalized recommendation for improvements to your system. Contact us for more info!
Using a generous amount of shrink-wrapping film might seem harmless or even the right thing to do. Better to overestimate, than underestimate when it comes to sizing, right? Wrong! Over time, you may experience shrinking profits as your materials costs increase. In fact, it’s better to simply get it right the first time.
Nailing down your shrink film measurements is easier than you might think. Finding the proper film width and length will depend on what type of film you are using. You will need to know a few facts and measurements before calculating your shrink film dimensions. In this article, all measurements are in inches.
- Orientation/flow through shrink tunnel (This will inform which side is your product length vs your width)
- Type of machine (this will dictate what type of film you need)
- Production/Conveyor Speed
- Product dimensions (always round up to the nearest inch)
- Width: parallel to the cut-off or cross seal
- Length: parallel to the fold of the film, in cases of centerfold film
- Height: In cases of products with uneven surfaces, the height should be considered from the bottom to the highest point of the package
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The most common forms of shrink wrap film are tubing, centerfold film, and shrink wrap bags. Conveniently, there is a formula to calculate the proper measurements for each kind.
Centerfold: Combine the height and the width of the item, then add 2-3 inches of wiggle room. (3 for larger items only). The formula for this is H+W+2.
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Tubing: Tubular shrink film is typically only used for oblong objects. To determine the width of your shrink film tube, multiply the circumference of your object by 1.15, then divide your total by 2. In other words, (CIR×1.15)÷2. As for the length of your shrink wrap tube, simply add 2-3 inches to the length of the object.
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Shrink Bag: For most applications, bags are the most beginner-friendly solution to shrink wrapping. They are already sealed on 3 of the 4 sides, which makes packaging your item simpler. To find the right width for your shrink bag, follow this formula: (CIR×1.13)÷2. As with our previous examples, the length of your shrink bag should be the length of your object, plus 2-3 inches.
Every application is different and finding the right size film can be even more difficult when your item is an irregular shape. When in doubt, ask an expert. Every service technician at Best Packaging is trained in shrink wrapping procedure. During your next visit, ask a technician to take a look at your shrink wrapping line and your product to get a shrink film recommendation.
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In Best Packaging’s home state of Illinois, we have recently returned to full capacity following the coronavirus pandemic. Situational obstacles in production are rebounding, yet lead times on new packaging equipment remain upwards of 16 weeks, causing manufacturers from all sectors to trip at the finish line in terms of recovering from production loss. While nothing beats that “new car smell,” i.e. the smartest automatic packaging equipment straight from its production floor to yours, Best Packaging offers a number of transitional solutions to assist in the present supply chain bottleneck and future scarcities.
Over the past year, our certified refurbished equipment proved to be a clutch play for many operations managers who were in dire straits as they awaited the arrival of their OEM orders. Our machines are available for rent or purchase, so regardless of whether it is needed as a patch or a permanent fixture, Best Packaging has a solution. Our like-new packaging equipment must pass a five-point inspection to ensure optimal function before leaving our facility.
Best Packaging’s responsive, continuous support provides an added layer of security against mechanical malfunction. We offer comprehensive ongoing assistance for all machines we sell. For local customers, that means a service visit within 48 hours of your request. We are also happy to assist customers over the phone to troubleshoot technical difficulties with their machine.
Not in a bind yet? Let’s keep it that way! In addition to whole-machine solutions, Best Packaging also has options to maximize the lifespan of your existing equipment and prevent OEM delays from affecting you. The best way you can ensure your packaging equipment does not cause unwanted downtime is through a preventative maintenance program. With our help, new parts can be ordered before the old ones have reached the end of their lifecycle, reducing or eliminating the wait for OEM parts. Our technicians diligently take notes with each service and monitor components that are showing signs of wear and tear. No replacement parts are ordered without customer approval, so you’re never on the hook for something you don’t need.
As a machinery dealer/distributor, we look to the same OEMs to supply the factory-original parts used in our repairs and refurbishments. We have been in constant communication with our OEMs to monitor the status of lead times and what mitigations are being enacted to remedy the increasing turnaround time. Our goal is to be as transparent as possible regarding any potential delays due to the availability of parts. Undoubtedly, we are all sick of hearing “we’re all in this together,” as no two situations are truly alike, but we are optimistic that this period of tribulation is nearing an end. If OEM delays are threatening your production line in ways that could not be improved by the aforementioned stopgaps, please do not hesitate to contact Best Packaging. As a medium-sized service provider we take a personalized, custom approach to your line. And, as an independent distributor, there are no hidden agendas, insuring the absolute best solution for you.
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Many businesses see smarter material sourcing, greener equipment, and operational changes as their gateway to a lower carbon footprint. All these play a valuable role, but what if the key to lowering your environmental impact is simply by keeping existing machinery on the production floor for as long as possible?
In a world of increasingly aggressive green initiatives, Best Packaging stays ahead of the curve because, “green” is built right into our business model. In 2020 alone, Best Packaging redirected 79,725 lbs (over 39 tons!) of steel away from scrappers, and back into the warehouses that keep America going. We are not, however, indiscriminate about which machines get salvaged. Best Packaging is diligent in our evaluations and repairs to ensure all equipment we sell, regardless of previous use, operates at peak performance when it arrives at the customer.
Quality refurbishment, worthy of the manufacturer’s endorsement, starts with an evaluation. Whether the machine in question is coming from a trusted customer (We offer a buyback program for our customers’ old machines.) or an auctioneer across the country, we perform our due diligence to find machines that really can be returned to their former glory. Sadly, not all machines are worthy of the T.L.C. we offer. Some would require too many parts, scarce parts, or simply too much time to repair. Before Best Packaging chooses to purchase machinery, it receives a top to bottom inspection.
The Best Packaging Acquisitions Team has a robust pre-evaluation that we put machinery through prior to purchase. It receives a compatibility screening, via the model and serial number, to ensure that parts will be available, not only for the refurbishment process, but for the future end user as well! Then, if possible, a seasoned technician will perform an evaluation onsite, at the previous owner’s location. Our onsite evaluation consists of two parts, 1) a comprehensive visual inspection process; then 2) a thorough performance test. Barring any glaring issues such as requiring too many parts to get back to optimal operation status, or requiring too much time to refurbish, the machinery receives the “green light.”
Once a piece of equipment arrives at our facility, one of our service technicians conducts a thorough condition audit. The Service Technician goes over the machine with a fine-toothed comb to assess all the high-use wear components as well as any componentry key to the machine’s essential functions. Stretch wrappers, for example, have rubber-coated gripping components, like the tread on your tires. Much like your tires, these will need replacing after continued use. That’s why we perform a complete rebuild of the pre-stretch carriage for every stretch wrapper refurbished. In keeping with our car metaphor, dents and dings may not be critical to “the drive” but our technicians do their best to buff them out whenever possible.
From that audit, a complete parts list is inventoried and ordered. Often, the most time-consuming part of the refurbishment process is finding the parts and waiting for them to arrive. While that is in process, years of dust, grease and mysterious goo(?) gets scrubbed away, even peeling back layers of paint when necessary. It’s truly amazing how a thorough cleaning can transform even the most gently used packaging equipment, but our process doesn’t end there.
Once parts arrive, the true fun happens. Our Service Technician(s) then execute all repairs and replacements, bringing the machine back to like-new functional condition. Once the machine’s function is restored, we address any final cosmetic issues. While amateurs carelessly slather house paint without even a primer underneath (yes, we’ve seen it), we work diligently to match the manufacturer’s original paint colors, reinforcing the like-new look.
Before we call each machinery makeover complete, we test it to confirm optimal function. A quality assurance video is emailed to the customer. Upon their approval, the unit gets packaged and palletized for shipment.
Due to the quality of our work, we have many return customers. Some customers even purchase used equipment they encounter with the intention of contracting our team for refurbishment. View our current fleet of certified refurbished equipment, or Contact Us to learn more.
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The Best Packaging team recently completed a full refurbishment, taking a severely damaged stretch wrapper and restoring it to like-new condition.
This Q300 Turntable Stretch Wrapper arrived at Best Packaging in considerably rough condition. In its previous operation, it had suffered a forklift collision that left the turntable base compromised. Due to a lack of care and preventative maintenance, it developed considerable rust in the structure and key-wear components. The pre-stretch rollers, which are instrumental in creating appropriate stretch elasticity and containment force, were inoperative.
Upon refurbishment, all of Best Packaging’s resale equipment receives a 5-point inspection. This guarantees that our “gold star” machinery has undergone:
- Safety inspection and testing
- Electrical component assessments
- Mechanical assessments
- Pneumatics testing
- Esthetic enhancements (fresh paint, rulers, and labels)
After much hard work and attention to detail, the Q300 is now fully restored and ready to wrap pallets in its new production facility home.
The refurbished machinery market is both economically and environmentally friendly. It allows used equipment to elongate its useful life. Sellers are provided with positive cash flow and purchasers receive cost savings.
You can help Best Packaging recycle idle machinery by contacting us when you’re looking to update or liquidate your inventory.
If you are interested in selling, please contact our sales team at sales@bestpackaging.com.
If you are looking to purchase certified refurbished equipment, please visit our refurbished inventory page.
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This week, one of our long term customers experienced a $2500 service repair that could’ve been avoided all by a simple PM program. However, after many recommendations, it was something that he said, “his maintenance guys would get around to.”
Our customer wraps many oversized, heavy loads per day that has their machines working extra hard. When we received the call, they explained that the film carriage was not working. Upon inspection, we realized that the chain and bearings locked up, which destroyed the carriage in the process. Had we serviced these machines every six months, these items would’ve been greased every 6 months to keep things running smoothly.
The customer has decided to forego the $2.5K repair and buy a new machine that will cost approx. $10K. Of course, we hope he decides to change his mind about a preventative maintenance program for his other machines. Whether you are a machine or a human, we all need maintenance from time to time, because without it, you’re looking at a short shelf life.
Ready to start a program for your machines? Give us a call at 888-930-BEST for a quote. You’ll be happy you did.
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We know how important it is for your equipment to function at its best without any unwanted surprises that add to your costs, delay your schedule, and potentially harm your reputation. Therefore, our priority is to get you up and running and provide the highest-level of quality to support your machine in whatever method possible. If you prefer, you may send in your equipment to Best Packaging and have it repaired by our in-house team.
We have over 20 years of experience, designing, installing, and repairing some of the most complex packaging lines. Our extensive analysis of packaging machinery is unparalleled, hence the strong possibility there’s no one like us in your area. By sending in your equipment, our specialized maintenance and repair personnel can thoroughly asses your machine.
For inquiries, click here
Below are some examples of in-house repairs we do:
Strapping Machines
Tape Dispensers
Hand Held Strap Guns
Staplers
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When your end of line goes down, often times the unplanned downtime can cause a delay in production which leads to lost opportunities.
Fortunately for you, maintaining your equipment doesn’t always require a technician. Inspecting your equipment is like getting regular checkups at the doctor. They keep you healthy and give you (and the experts) a chance to catch anything serious before it becomes a major problem. That can save you thousands for your end of line.
Here are some tasks you can accomplish to make sure your equipment doesn’t fail on you.
- When the machines are not in-use, remove any dust, dirt, or debris that might cause jams and issues in the future.
- When the machines are running, listen for any unusual noises. If you hear the sound of metal grinding, your bearings could use some lubricating. Be sure to perform this monthly in order to make operations more efficient and more reliable
- Make sure you’re not forcing products into machines and aren’t packaging products that your equipment can’t handle. Sometimes Operators don’t want to have to purchase a separate machine for larger, heavier loads so they might be pressured to use a machine that doesn’t support those specifications. Doing so will eventually cost you more.
It’s easy to take PM plans for granted- until a problem arises. Hence, we can’t stress enough the importance of having your machines inspected in order to keep your line running smoothly.
Should your machines require a professional’s expertise, give us a call at 888-930-BEST. Either way, delaying preventive maintenance or obvious problems, or sounds will inevitably lead you to more expensive and time-consuming repairs down the road.
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Preventative Maintenance is the single most important thing you can do to ensure a long lifespan for your packaging equipment. Through regularly scheduled preventative maintenance (or PM) visits, an expert technician can flag any wear & tear components that will need replacing before they cause permanent damage to the machine. It’s absolutely vital to your machine’s health… But don’t take our word for it, check your warranty. Most OEMs will not honor the warranty unless you have an established record of service.
It’s always a good idea to start a PM program, but if you’re experiencing any of the following warning signs, you don’t have time to waste!
Warning Signs:
- Getting Out Of Hand
Increased operator intervention likely indicates that your machine is not at its optimal settings for your application. When your equipment was installed, the correct pre-stretch level, heat tunnel temperature, or what-have-you was set. Deviating from those settings could cause undue stress on your machine which ultimately shortens its lifespan. Rather than letting your operators make adjustments that could lead to greater issues, contact a professional to assess your line and improve the reliability and efficiency of your machines. - Roll Call
An increase in stretch film, tape, or shrink wrap usage might indicate an issue with your machine. For example, if your stretch wrapper has a deteriorating film carriage you can see an increase of up to 300% in film cost and usage! If you notice your inventory is depleting faster than usual, your operators could be experiencing increased jams or might be running the package through the machine more than once to ensure a proper seal. This is not recommended, and it may be time for an evaluation. - Make some noise
Anyone who has had to describe the concerning sounds coming from their car to a mechanic knows that sound can not only indicate a problem, it can give you clues as to what it may be. This should go without saying, but if you detect a grinding or screeching sound when your machine is in use, then a professional visit is recommended. - See the light
If there are any warning lights, flashing, or visibly broken pieces, it’s best to let a packaging equipment specialist take a look ‘under the hood.’ When a novice attempts to troubleshoot the machine, there is always a possibility that they worsen the issue! An expert technician knows all the ins and outs of your equipment and can usually tell in short time whether your settings merely need adjusting or if certain components need to be repaired. - Down & Out
Well maintained packaging equipment rarely needs servicing. If your machine frequently requires troubleshooting or repairs to get back up and running, it may be helpful for an expert technician to give it a once over.
During a PM, technicians can identify components that are broken, worn, or may require a deep cleaning to function ideally. A Best Packaging tech will inspect your packaging equipment to identify the cause of any errors or warning on your HMI. If necessary, they will make adjustments to your machine’s settings so as to ensure ideal settings such as the correct pre-stretch level, or heat tunnel temperature. With our assistance, your packaging equipment should run almost or completely autonomously without constant adjustment from the operator. If you’ve seen any of these red flags (or worse —more than one!) on your end of line, why are you still reading this!? Pick up the phone to get your packaging line back on track ASAP.
If you’re still unsure whether your machines are due for maintenance, give Best Packaging Inc. a call at (888) 930-BEST to speak with an experienced technician and discuss what’s best for you and your plant’s needs.
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Imagine you are on a leaky boat. You might search for the massive hole that’s bringing the boat down even though there are smaller holes constantly popping up. By taking care of the larger hole, you’re really only addressing issues in a singular fashion rather than looking at it holistically. The best way to prevent a water leakage is to consider the holistic success and operation. An operator is always going to struggle as problems arise if they only focus on that particular problem. However if you inspect the boat and make sure there aren’t any holes, you’re going to have a better chance at staying afloat.
Stretch wrappers, Case Erectors, Shrink Wrappers, Case Sealers, Strappers, Tapers- you name it, these are all very complex pieces of packaging equipment expected to optimize your production line for efficient packaging processes. If maintained properly, these machines can last years without any problems or breakdowns.
Periodic maintenance is important.
Most companies search for major causes that could be responsible for the problems, yet overlook the minor causes that contribute to the big problem. To ensure that your business model can be upheld in the long run, it’s important to follow up and check on the reliability of your machines. Inspecting your machines can reduce the likelihood of any disastrous maintenance issues that might arise unexpectedly. After all, it’s much easier, less stressful, and less costly to prevent problems than it is to interrupt workflow to repair them. A lack of preventive maintenance is a major cause of downtime, so this is a good opportunity to catch potential problems before they develop into larger issues and make sure your machine is running smoothly.
While your packaging equipment doesn’t require constant care, just a little bit of attention from time to time can go a long way toward avoiding downtime and more costly repairs down the road. So rather than spending money on unexpected repairs, you might want to invest in periodic preventative maintenance program.
At Best Packaging, we service end of line packaging equipment. We perform repairs and PM’s on a variety of different packaging equipment. We provide highly trained, well-qualified employees who are not only concerned with maintaining your machines, but we also seek to maximize the performance. Best Packaging prides ourselves in delivering top notch care to keep you running seamlessly for years to come. Give us a call at (888) 930 BEST to schedule a PM or click here.
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Best Packaging is not only dedicated to helping customers stay running, but we also strive to help customers become more efficient by improving their operations.
One of the most common calls Best Packaging receives it that a machine has been damaged due to being struck by a fork lift. In these photos below, you can see that this machine had extensive damage under the turntable. The damage was due to a forklift-operator striking the turntable with their forks as they were attempting to load the pallet on to the turntable. This machine required a new turntable, center shaft, bearings, chain, proximity sensor, mounting brackets and sprockets. The end result is good as new, but the cost of such a repair is not cheap.
Anytime we install a machine, we urge the customer to invest in proper guarding and forklift bumpers to prevent this kind of damage to a machine. The initial investment of installing proper guarding can prevent thousands of dollars in damage due to machines being stuck by forklifts or other machinery. Call us today at (888) 930-BEST to discuss how we can properly safeguard your equipment in order to prevent costly repairs and downtime.
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Did you know 1 oz of extra stretch film per pallet at a facility wrapping 1,500 loads per evening is worth $31,200.00 per year?
Would your operators know if they were using an extra 1 oz of film on a pallet?
An extra 8 oz at the same facility would be $250,000.00 per year!
The costs can add up fast – and that’s just film costs! What about pallet load damage and productivity losses due to film that is not used properly?
Companies are best served when they developed a stretch film procurement solution to understand the properties of the film they use, their distribution channel, and the forces necessary to deliver their loads successfully.
Best Packaging has created stretch film procurement ‘best practices’ to meet these goals and provide a consistent result that can be created, tested, repeated and maintained.
- Best Packaging Inc. can be hired as a consultant to EVALUATE the film. We will perform several tests to determine results such as the ultimate stretch, film puncture resistance and the amount of ‘cling’ in the stretch film.
- We will assess the best way to apply the film based on the different types of products that are wrapped and establish the type of containment necessary.
- Once we UNDERSTAND how to achieve the best results, we will go back to the plant and CREATE the ideal wrapped load by selecting a few films that meet the criteria most important to your operations.
- After the load is recreated, we will perform a TEST for effectiveness. Doing so will allow our techs to set a standard based on how the load wraps on the production floor to ensure the proper containment and the proper amount of film.
Gone are the days where we standardize the film. Instead, standardizing the result will ensure the product arrives to the end user without damage in the most productive and cost-effective method possible.
- The last step in this best practices project would be to train maintenance and operators how to visually MONITOR the standard. Best Packaging can be hired to maintain and upgrade this standard. There should also be supervisor in charge of each shift assigned to monitor the standard at selected intervals.
Because stretch film is usually marketed using only a few specifications, it is easy for procurement departments to believe they are getting a good value at a lower cost. However, Best Packaging has the tools and expertise to ensure your company is getting the most value and production from your stretch film purchases while guaranteeing that your products arrive damage-free. If you’ are currently wrapping products with stretch film and want to ensure you are getting the maximum yield, give us a call at (888) 930 BEST.
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Shipping and receiving pallets in winter isn’t always easy, especially in the cold. In fact, cold temperatures do change the performance demands of packaging equipment and materials. If your machines aren’t built to handle a cold environment, everything from the electronic component to mechanics to film may not perform correctly. There also might be instances where your stretch wrapped pallets will be sitting in a cold warehouse or delivery truck. Thus, it might be wise to take action in order to conquer the cold.
Today there are a few options for cold environment applications. It may be worthwhile to implement seasonal measures to optimize performance, as well as alleviate downtime and damage. Obtaining a cold temperature package is highly recommended for operations using wrappers in cold temperature environments. This package proofs certain features of the machine in order to assure and maintain its constant operation in cold temperatures. These features include heating the panels and cabinets to keep electronic components working, using cold-temperature lube in gear boxes so the machine can operate well in the cold temperature, and installing dryers that eliminate moisture in the system so the components don’t freeze. Since stretch film is much harder to expand in a cold environment, Best Packaging offers stretch films with higher inside cling layers that will keep the load stabilized better in cold temperatures.
Winter presents a special set of challenges to heavy equipment operators; therefore, let us help you operate safely and prevent damage to your machines by calling (888) 930-BEST.
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The success of your operation often relies on the quality of your service technicians to keep your business operating when production volumes are high. It’s important to consider the following points when choosing a service provider that will keep your machines running.
Experience
A qualified technician will be able to repair a variety of makes and models of various machines. Best Packaging, for example, employs only the most experienced and qualified technicians. Our techs have 30+ years of combined experience in the field troubleshooting and repairing end of line packaging equipment.
Value
It’s much more cost effective to maintain than it is to repair. Postponing the maintenance of your equipment could result in a sudden breakdown, forcing you to pay for a more expensive repair. Furthermore, when machines are down this interrupts your ability to do business. A good service technician knows that regular maintenance can make a line last for years. Best Packaging understands the value in preserving your machines. We can create a proper maintenance schedule based on the condition of your equipment to keep you operating optimally. We’ll set up a schedule that best fits around your production and advise when your next PM service comes due. Be weary of companies that don’t offer this service.
Quality Service
A good technician takes the time to do things right and has the customer’s best interest in mind. At Best Packaging, customer satisfaction is our driving force. It is our goal is to provide you with the highest quality service that is going to make your machines more productive and efficient. We are also a leader in innovative designs and we can tailor solutions to meet your specific needs. We’re not attached to one brand, so we won’t force products on you that don’t fit your needs. In fact, our knowledge of numerous brands helps us come up with solutions not conceived by many manufacturers. Choosing the right service provider can help prevent costly repairs and can increase your equipment’s life expectancy.
At Best Packaging, we do more than just repairs. We offer programming and electrical services, as well as retrofits and upgrades to enhance your packaging line while decreasing costs. We service all types of equipment, including stretch wrappers, shrink wrap machines, case tape machines, banding machines, strapping machines, case erectors, and conveyors. If you’re in need of end of line packaging service, call (888) 930 BEST to speak with a tech today.
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An automated stretch wrapper can often be the bottleneck in a plants production line, especially when it goes down. Such is the case with this month’s repair.
This particular plant has twenty different production lines running 24/7 all feeding into one stretch wrapper- making it imperative that the wrapper runs around the clock without issue. While on site for an unrelated repair, one of the Best Packaging technicians noticed something odd with the conveyor running through the stretch wrapper. After removing some rollers, we were able to get a better look and discovered the drive shaft was sitting crooked and the drive chain was eating into the gearbox. To address this issue, we had parts expedited and were back out for repair shortly after. After taking another look at the problem, we discovered the bearings which support the drive shaft had locked up and were worn almost all the way through the shaft. Had the issue not been spotted by our technician, this would have caused a major production delay for the plant.
Thanks to our technicians, the entire drive assembly was rebuilt and the conveyor is now running good as new. Proof once again that a qualified technician and preventative maintenance can save you from costly down time in the future.
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As an end of line service provider, we are constantly being called upon to assess, troubleshoot, and optimize complex packaging lines. You’d be surprised at how many plants we’ve walked in to that don’t enforce safety regulations. Here are four best practices to help improve warehouse safety
When a machine is down, hire an expert. Injuries are most common in plants that don’t keep up with maintenance on the equipment used to perform their jobs. If your automatic stretch wrapper isn’t working well, what originally began as an automated process is now a manual operation. All the bending, pulling, and twisting involved with manual wrapping could potentially expose these workers to injury. Having unknowledgeable workers troubleshoot a machine will only cause more harm than good. By hiring an experienced professional to do the repair, they’ll be able to offer valuable preventative maintenance advice that will help you avoid more problems in the future.
Take measures to isolate operating machinery with proper guarding. Most of our customers operate very complex manufacturing lines. Although these machines have some of the most advanced capabilities, they can be dangerous if the proper safety systems aren’t in place. While machines can’t prevent employee negligence, actions can be taken to restrict access to hazardous areas. Most stretch wrappers now come with a safety guard gate option. This feature is designed to keep employees safe by providing a physical barrier that can prevent an employee from entering into a danger zone during the operating cycle.
Include cross training for all warehouse employees. The majority of the workman’s compensation incidents occur when an employee moves from one department to another. During times when one area of the plant is slow, managers will usually re-position their workers to lend a hand to a busy area. When employees are transferred but not properly training they are put at a higher risk of injury.
Make certain the aisles are kept clean and clear. Free the area of objects or obstacles that might interfere with a forklift driver’s ability to have a clear path. Clean up any litter that might have been left behind on the warehouse floors. It’s also important to allow enough space for multiple forklifts to pass through the aisles. After all, the last thing you want is to encounter pallets collapsing because a forklift couldn’t maneuver through a crowded lane. Once you have arranged a wide-enough space, mark the floor with arrows that designate lanes specifically for trucks and employees to pass through.
Take the time to identify where an operation exposes an employee to injury, and take action to implement a safe work environment before it’s too late.To enroll in a preventative maintenance program, or if you suspect one of your machines is not operating properly, give us a call to schedule an inspection at (888) 930 BEST or click here.
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At Best Packaging we maintain and repair some of the most complex packaging lines. Since 1997, we have been consulting, designing, and implementing packaging solutions to offer the best for your operations. In order to deliver our customers the greatest return on their investment, we represent a variety of different brands of end-of-line packaging equipment to ensure we’re matching the right solution for your customer needs.
There’s no ‘one size fits all’ solution.
Rather than discover that a particular solution doesn’t fit your application, our knowledge of numerous brands can help you come up with solutions not conceived by many manufacturers. In order to arrive at the appropriate solution, you need someone who isn’t attached to one brand and won’t force products on you that don’t fit your needs. When seeking assistance from a particular manufacturer, they typically recommend a solution suitable to their business model. You also run the risk of the manufacturer being unqualified to support your operations on a large scale because of the limited knowledge of machinery outside their own. For instance, a common situation we come across is that after a technician makes an initial repair, other machines in the same production line stop running correctly. The reason being is that most manufacturer technicians don’t have the know-how to recalibrate a whole production line. You need someone who’s going to understand the bigger picture. At Best Packaging, we have the expertise to reprogram your entire production line to achieve maximum efficiency. You don’t have to worry if your brand is serviceable. We specialize in a wide range of packaging equipment and can direct you to the solution that will ensure your business improves in material handling, and supply chain performance.
Not all stretch wrappers are created equally.
We only align ourselves with quality brands to make sure we are delivering the best value. It is our goal is to provide you with the high quality service that is going to eliminate failures to make your job not only more productive, but hopefully easier. Most end-of-line equipment brands offer different capabilities in terms of ease, automation, integration, and performance. With our extensive analysis of packaging machinery, we understand the strengths and weaknesses of various equipment. Representing a variety of different brands enables us to match the best systems based on your customer needs and the versatility of the job. For more information on our machinery philosophy, visit bestpackaging.com or contact us at (888) 930 BEST.
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At Best Packaging Inc., we work hard to provide you customized solutions that best fit your needs. Last month, we got a call from a customer to reconfigure their plant’s main conveyor line in order to accommodate seven new plastic mold injection machines. With our techs on site, Best Packaging helped install over 100 feet of new conveyor equipment. The conveyor extension was complete with loading stations and pneumatic pop up sections. The Best Packaging technicians also replaced the out-dated stretch wrapper with a state-of-the-art fully automatic Lantech® stretch wrapper integrated into the conveyor. To top it off, we installed a new control panel, two Polychem® strapping machines, and a bar code scanner to notify the system on which pallets to wrap and which to strap. Our technicians are trained on all packaging brands and equipment. Whether you need a consultation on your machines, a Preventative Maintenance program or a reliable emergency service team, be sure to give us a call at (888) 930 BEST.
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With over 20 years of business, Best Packaging is a leader in innovative designs and has capability to customize equipment based on the customer’s needs. We understand that with the correct PLC, HMI programming or other engineering services, your control panels and integrated machines could be more efficient. For this reason, Best Packaging now offers engineering services for the integration and control of production machinery. We can program PLC-based controls and HMI control systems on complete production lines or individual machines to improve packaging, material handling, and supply chain performance. At Best Packaging, our creative engineers assess and modify the systems specifications necessary for your plant’s particular needs in order to achieve maximum production line efficiency. When your controls become obsolete, or a touch screen wears out, we have the ability to reprogram these touch screens, rebuild an old panel or an entirely new panel.
When a packaging line becomes faulty or fails, Best Packaging understands the urgency in fixing the problem immediately. That is why we are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for emergency service. We specialize in the repair and maintenance of end of line packaging equipment including: Stretch Wrappers, Shrink Wrappers, Case Tapers, Case Sealers, Conveyors, and Strappers. Our expert technicians will get your equipment back to running efficiently and effective to enhance your company’s production line. It’s what we do BEST!
In many industries, when you call a manufacturer’s service tech, they only know how to fix their machines. They may even recommend a solution that fits their business model, however it’s usualy not the BEST solution for your specific needs. At Best Packaging, we service all end of line packaging equipment brands. We work with our clients to deliver customized solutions by consulting and designing based on the customer’s business goals and unique needs. Our in-depth understanding of complex packaging lines combined with our ability to recognize efficiencies for customers not conceived by many manufacturers is what makes us unique. We won’t force products on you that don’t fit your needs.
At Best Packaging, we make it a priority to assist you with anything from installation to performance optimization to ensure each company is implementing the BEST solution. Whether you are looking to build a new control system, or update an existing system, Best Packaging’s programmers have the application knowledge required to implement the design. To learn more about how we can get your control panels to run more efficiently, give us a call at (888) 930 BEST!
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It’s evident that cases with vertically aligned sides are easier to wrap. Achieving a square case increases the strength of the load, which results in less damage to your product. Non-square cases are more likely to jam during end of line packaging which can lead to problems when preparing your pallet for and during shipment. However, creating a perfectly square case by hand is not as easy as it looks. When erecting cases by hand, it’s difficult to control the consistency of the assembly process. In most instances, automatic erecting and sealing machines turned out to be an effective solution in both the cost and quality of case handling. At Best Packaging, we offer case erectors and a line of random and uniform case sealers at reasonable prices to help increase efficiency.
When failure strikes, will you be ready?
There are so many elements in storing, packing, and delivery that make square cases a crucial component of your operation, it’s wise to be prepared for unexpected downtime. Proper planning and preventative maintenance can result in case erectors/sealers that are true assets, instead of production jams. Best Packaging Inc. provides professional equipment support and preventative maintenance on all end-of-line packaging machines to make sure your case erectors and sealers are delivering the optimal productivity gains. We provide highly trained, well-qualified employees who are not only concerned with maintaining your machines, but we also seek to maximize the performance. For more information or questions on our case erectors and sealers, give us a call at (888) 930 BEST. To schedule a PM, click here.
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