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How to Keep Packaging Equipment Running

A few minutes of routine checks prevents most breakdowns, because most downtime comes from worn parts that were never replaced. This guide gives a simple daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance checklist for operators and maintenance teams. It also includes a troubleshooting chart that links common problems, like loose straps, torn film, and bad tape cuts, to their likely causes. Keeping spare wear parts on hand is the easiest way to avoid a long shutdown.

A few minutes of daily checks prevents most breakdowns. Most downtime comes from worn parts that were never replaced.

Daily (operator, 5 minutes)

Clear dust, scraps, and stray strap, film, or tape from the machine.
Check that guards, sensors, and the emergency stop work.
Listen for new noises and watch for jams or misfeeds.

Weekly

Inspect and clean cutting blades, rollers, and belts.
Check tension settings and strap or film feed paths.
Lubricate moving parts as the manual specifies.

Monthly or quarterly

Replace wear parts on schedule: blades, belts, feed wheels, and heaters.
Keep spare wear parts on hand for machines you can’t run without.
Book a preventive maintenance visit for critical machines.

Warning sign	Likely cause
Strap won’t seal or comes loose	Dirty or worn heater, sealer, or feed wheels
Film tears or wraps loosely	Dirty pre-stretch rollers or wrong tension
Tape doesn’t cut cleanly	Dull blade
Machine stops or misfeeds	Dirty sensor or worn belt

Call S&S When

A machine is down, a warning sign keeps coming back, or you want a preventive maintenance plan. We supply parts, accessories, and repair service.

S&S Incorporated · Packaging made easy since 1965 21300 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44117 216-383-1880 · info@sspkg.com · www.sspackaging.com Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–3:30 PM

How to Keep Packaging Equipment Running

A few minutes of daily checks prevents most breakdowns. Most downtime comes from worn parts that were never replaced.

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