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Tips For Increasing Sealing Band Life…
The Basics
We sell Teflon coated fiberglass sealing bands which are used in bag sealing machines.
As a filled bag moves through the sealing bars of a band sealer,
the bags are between these bands and the sealing bars. The life
of these bands depends on many factors, however the biggest factors
are proper bandwheel alignment and proper-spacing (or gap).
Band Wheel Alignment
On most band sealers, the sealing bands ride on crowned wheels and
must run level over the center of these wheels. The infeed band
wheels can be tipped for proper tracking of the bands. If the band
rides up and slips off the wheels or slips down and rubs against
any undercarriage components, adjustments must be made or sealing
band life will be compromised.
Heat/Cooling Bars Spacing
On most band sealers there is one or two sets of heat bars and
one set of cooling bars. Each set consists of a stationary bar and
a spring loaded bar. If the bars are air operated, a small air cylinder
instead of spring pressure is utilized. The correct positioning
of these bars is very important to achieve good seals and extend
the life of your sealing bands. There should be no deflection or
weaving of the bands as they pass between these bars. The bars must
be parallel to the centerline of the sealer and level to the undercarriage
plates. The bars have been factory set but some adjustments may
be necessary. The gap between the sealing bands is also critical
and should be 70%-80% of the total bag thickness being sealed.
Band Cleaning and Replacement
If a sealing band breaks or the Teflon coating has worn off causing
the bag to stick to the bands along the seal line, the band must
be replaced. Also, if experiencing inconsistent sealing, check the
bands to see if the Teflon coating has worn off. Before replacing
the sealing bands you can try cleaning the bands with a product
such as Simple Green (www.simplegreen.com)
and/or turning the bands inside out, which will usually result in
additional band life.
TROUBLE SHOOTING
| PROBLEM |
PROBABLE
CAUSE |
POSSIBLE REMEDY |
| Bags are sticking to
the bands along the sealing line and tearing. |
Teflon worn off the bands. |
Replace bands. |
| Heat set too high. |
Decrease temperature set point slightly.
Wait until temperature has decreased then run bag through and
check results. Continue to adjust as necessary. |
| Cooling insufficient for material being
sealed. |
Slow sealer and conveyor down to allow
bag to spend more time going through fan cooled sealing bar
section. If speed is decreased, it may also be necessary to
reduce the heat setting. |
| Cooling Bars are dirty or air flow is
restricted. |
Clean the bar surface and/or clean the
air channel under the fan. |
| Sealing bands are breaking. |
Bandwheels are out of alignment; bands
not tracking properly. |
Refer to your band sealer manual for
instructions on how to adjust the bandwheel alignment properly.
See Band wheel alignment. |
| Sealing bands are slipping. |
Sealing band drive wheels or back of bands are dirty.
|
Check and clean or replace as necessary. |
| Broken tension spring under front sealing
band roller. |
Replace the spring. |
| Sealing bands too long. |
Replace with the correct length sealing
band. Order correct length from us! |
| Bands binding between the sealing bars. |
Refer to your band sealer manual for
instructions on how to increase the gap between sealing bars.
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| Front bandwheel eccentrics are on the
flats removing tension. |
Rotate eccentrics off the flats with
the knobs above the bandwheels. |
| Sealing bands are splitting
length ways. |
Heat and/or cooling bars are too close together and exerting
too much pressure.
|
Refer to your band sealer manual for
information on setting the spacing. See heat/cooling bar
spacing. |
| Rear bars are not parallel to the centerline
of the sealer. |
Refer to your band sealer manual for
information on positioning the rear bars parallel to the centerline
of the sealer. See heat/cooling bar spacing. |
| Sealing bands are too long. |
Replace with the correct length sealing
band. Order correct length from us! |
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