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5.6
Turning the machine off
Depending on the time that the machine needs to be shut down, various procedures apply as
regards turning it off.
In Table 10 a distinction is made between three shutdown periods:
-
Turning off for a brief period, e.g. to replace film, means that the machine is on
standby.
-
Turning off for longer periods, e.g. in order to carry out maintenance work on the
machine.
-
Complete shutdown of the machine, e.g. a break in the production process of more
than 8 hours.
Table 10 Machine shutdown procedures
No. Brief interruption
Lengthy interruption
Complete shut-down
1.
Stop the machine with the ‘stop machine’ button on the control panel.
2.
-
Stop the vacuum pump via the touch screen.
3.
-
Stop the waste film disposal unit via the touch
screen.
4.
-
-
Turn off the heating via
the touch screen.
5.
-
-
Set the main switch to
“0”
6.
-
-
Close off compressed
air, cooling water and
gas supplies.
5.7
Operating the machine while it is running
If the machine is running the operator has a number of control tasks. Despite the presence of
a safety system, it is desirable that the entire process should be monitored. Then if a failure
occurs, corrective measures can be taken quickly and the cause of the problem is easier to
trace.
A number of important points on the machine are the film rolls, the formed packages, the
filled packages and the waste film removal unit.
-
The lower and top films must be firmly stretched and more or less equal lengths must
be clamped in the chain on both sides.
-
The formed packages must have identical shapes.
-
Filled packages must also have identical shapes and may have absolutely no leaks.
Samples should be checked to see if vacuum-treated packages are indeed properly
closed off.
-
Remains of film out of reach of the waste film removal unit should be removed once
the machine has been shut down.
The machine’s fine-tuning to the peripherals must also be monitored and corrected where
necessary. You should be continually alert to potential problems and checks should be
carried out at least every ten strokes.
When tasks involving filling are being carried out manually, the height of the machine must
be such that the operators are in a comfortable working position. Best is a height that does
not involve bending down to place the product in the packaging. In some situations it is
useful to have a raised platform next to the machine for the operator to stand on.
