No matter how many years of experience you have with packaging machines, you should always make sure you stay up-to-date on the latest best practices regarding the maintenance of your packaging equipment. The best way to do this is to work with an informed and reliable packaging machine manufacturer’s Technical Service team. The best packaging machine company will be available to answer your questions and provide service in a timely manner. You can determine whether you want to work with a machine manufacturer by asking them the following questions before purchasing your machine.
1. Is Training Provided?
Knowing how to accurately operate your new packaging machine is essential for successful production runs. Many packaging machine companies provide some form of training programs in which they teach on-site operators how to properly set up, use, and operate the packaging machines they build and sell.
Overseas manufacturers rarely provide this type of thorough training due to logistical issues. At FILAMATIC, we provide this type of training during our Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), as well as through our After-Sales Support.
Just keep in mind, training should include setting up, adjusting, using, and maintaining your new packaging machine. Make sure to ask if hands-on training is included in your original proposal, or if training for your team requires additional funds. FILAMATIC includes training within ALL of our proposals.
2. Do You Provide Spare Part Recommendations?
Packaging machines consist of many mechanical parts and electrical components. These parts may need to be changed or repaired at the most unexpected and inconvenient times. Especially when you least expect it.
We recommend creating a relationship with your packaging machine company about what spare parts are good to have in stock. Ask your packaging machine manufacturer if they can provide you with a spare part diagram of the machine and other critical components. This way you have an accurate idea of what you need to ask for.
3. Can You Make Service Visits?
Working with a packaging machine company that provides on-site service visits can be essential in many cases. If your machine goes down, you want to make sure you can get a technician from the company to come out. That is why US-based support is so critical.
During a service visit, a technician can give an overall assessment of your machine and determine what spare parts you might want to keep in stock. As well as perform any preventative maintenance and show you and technicians that operate the machine best practices. You can also get an idea of the life of the machine and when you would possibly need to consider purchasing a new packaging machine.
4. How Are In-House Technicians Trained?
At FILAMATIC, every technician is trained in-house. This means that they are informed about the specific brands, machines, and parts customers purchase from us.
You can rest assured that our technicians have extensive knowledge of all machines going out the door, including your particular machine. We are liquid filling specialists after all.
If are buying from other packaging machinery, you should ask the same set of questions from the manufacturer. Remember, how technicians are trained is important since they train your technicians that use the machine day-in and day-out.
5. Do You Provide Remote Support?
Many modern packaging machines are built to be accessed remotely to help diagnose common problems. If they can’t be accessed remotely, the issue can often be addressed over a phone call. If your machine manufacturer doesn’t provide remote access, they should at least provide you with remote phone assistance. Remote support is often an excellent way to efficiently address machine problems so you can get back to work.
At FILAMATIC, our Technical Service department can walk you through many issues over email and phone. If that doesn’t solve the issue, on some of our filling machines we can offer remote technical support via a secure VPN (virtual private network).
Liquid Filling Experts
For over 70 years, FILAMATIC has provided a wide range of liquid filling machines to the packaging market. We create flexible, customized solutions for every stage of your business growth. Whether you require a single machine, a complete turnkey solution, or a fully-automated, integrated Monobloc system, we have the liquid filling experience that will exceed your expectations.
For more information on liquid filling, capping and labeling solutions, please call 866.258.1914 or visit – www.filamatic.com/contact-us.