Basic Maintenance Tips For Taping Machines

Auto Sidedrive (AS)

If your business requires mass production and packaging, then you are best off with a taping machine. Taping machines, also known as carton sealers or case sealers, are great tools that help entrepreneurs, like you, achieve operational efficiency and reduce production cost in the workplace. Additionally, taping machines also help businesses produce better and more professional looking packages, which in turn boost customer satisfaction and loyalty.

With that said, taping machines are hardworking industrial equipment that needs proper care and maintenance. Whether you choose a manual or an automatic taping machine, you will find that this can be quite an investment so you need to ensure that you are able to maximize its function. In this article, we will share basic maintenance and repair tips for your taping machine.

1. Make sure to turn off electrical power before starting to clean any of the parts. Read the manual that came with your machine because there might be specific instructions required for the kind of taping machine that you have.

2. Using a dry film lubricant, lubricate the shafts at least once a month to keep away dust or lint. You can also apply chain lubricant on the drive and on the centering guide chain.

3. Handling cartons will inevitably produce dust and paper chips and when left unclean, this dust can build up on the machine and may cause component wear or even overheating of motors. Using a shop vacuum, remove accumulated dust at least twice a week, especially if the taping machine is used daily. Avoid using compressed air when removing dust because this may cause the dust to further penetrate into other parts of the machine.

For more tips on handling taping machines, keep reading this blog.

Tips on Removing Unwanted Packing Tape From Surfaces

Without a doubt, packing tape is one of the best inventions made by man. Whether at home or for use in business, a packing tape is handy for just about anything—sealing our packages and envelopes, even casserole lids to prevent food from spilling and for entrepreneurs, a unique marketing collateral, thanks to customized packing tapes.

While using a packing tape is definitely a no brainer, removing it from surfaces is another story. Removing packing tape can be quite a challenge, especially if you don’t want any evidence of it. Once you stick it on the surface, the adhesive of the tape seeps into the porous cells of the surface thus making it hard to remove.

Got a sticky packing tape situation? Don’t fret. Here a few handy tips on how to remove unwanted packing tape from surfaces.

1. You can use low heat to “soften” the hold of the packing tape to wherever it is glued on to. Using heat lessens the possible damage on the surface. You can use your blow dryer but make sure it is set on low. The key here is to warm and peel the adhesive gently and simultaneously. You can either use a putty knife or a flat-edged scraper to scrape off the tape.

2. For packing tape stuck on wood, first try to peel off as much as you can. Soak a paper towel in white vinegar and put it on top of the packing tape. Let it sit for five minutes. Afterwards, remove the paper towel and start rubbing the surface. The remainder of the tape should be peeling away by now. Use the same paper towel to rub the wood’s surface if there is still any residue. Get another paper towel and slightly moisten it with water, this time to remove the vinegar residue.

3. If your heavy duty packing tape has left an unsightly residue on a glass or ceramic surface, using a little bit of alcohol or nail polish remover will help clean out what’s left of it. Afterwards, do not forget to wipe the same surface area with a paper towel or cotton ball soaked in a little bit of water.

Why A Packing Tape Is More Than Just For Packaging

As an entrepreneur, you know that a packing tape is mainly used for packaging products and supplies. But are you fully maximizing its properties? Do you know that you can also use packing tape as a marketing, advertising and security tool? You can do this by having your business’ name and logo custom printed on packing tapes that you will use to seal your products. This investment is useful in many ways. For starters, you can promote your brand every time you send out a package or a sealed product to a customer. This type of advertising is subtle and effective because your customers and even potential clients will be constantly reminded of the products and services that you offer. If you are willing to shell out a little bit more from your budget for custom printed packing tapes, you can even use packing tapes to promote new and upcoming products and add your contact information for maximum exposure and increased sales opportunities.

1.57 mil thick Water-Based Acrylic Adhesive Carton Sealing Tape

Additionally, it gives your business the image of an established and professional company. This can help you boost customer trust and confidence. Investing in customized packing tapes is also a way to improve your brand’s identity. It is an effective and creative way to set you apart and help you stand out in a crowded sea of other entrepreneurs.

In terms of security, you can use customized packing tapes to ensure that your products will be properly handled in transit. A specially labeled packing tape will also help your customers ensure that their package is secured.

Custom packing tapes can be used by a wide variety of businesses, not just those in direct selling and distribution. You can also use these specially printed packing tapes for smaller packages such as letter envelopes. Instead of ribbons, you can also use customized packing tapes to brand and decorate corporate giveaways.

Contact your packing tape supplier now and don’t forget to ask about printed packing tapes.

Marketing with Custom-Printed Packing Tapes

Packing tapes are probably the last thing marketing teams think of when it comes to innovative advertising tools. Who would have thought that packing tapes can now be used to create brand awareness or disseminate company information? No one. But nowadays, many companies utilize packing tapes as tools to increase company visibility. Custom-printed packing tapes are effective marketing tools, especially for companies and small businesses who manage to ship a few products once a week or once a month. Packing tapes are reliable tools to sell any kind of product.

For some brands, shipping is a secondary or tertiary means of communication. Some companies even use shipping as the main method of directly communicating with customers. These are the potential markets of custom-printed packing tapes. Not only can custom-printed packing tapes increase brand awareness, they also keep packages safe. For the packaging industry, this is very important. Absolutely anything can be printed on packing tapes, and as such, companies can opt to put messages such as “Fragile” or “Caution” printed on it. It exudes a more professional look than simply writing these messages by hand. Custom-printed tapes can also prove to be useful in the office or store. For companies who sell packaging machinery and provide packaging equipment solutions, custom-printed packing tapes can be a part of their product line-ups.

Choosing the right custom-printed packing tapes depend on the consumer and the business. These packing tapes come in a variety of colors: blue, yellow, green, purple, black, clear and tan. Choosing the color leads to deciding what message to put on the packing tape. You can opt for a simple message or you can also put graphics and texts for a more eye-catching finish. Many specialty shops will be willing to help you design one - should you not have one in mind.

When it comes to marketing, no ideas are too silly or strange if it means catching the attention of your potential target market. Custom-printed packing tapes can be that eye catching attraction.

Loading a Packing Tape Dispenser

Packing tapes are essential in packaging and storing items. With packing tape, heavy boxes can be securely held together, and they can protect packages better than regular tape can. With a packing tape dispenser, not only can packing prove to be a seamless activity but it will help you accomplish things faster and more efficiently. Make sure you have rolls of packing tape on hand so refilling the packing tape dispenser is done quickly. In a few minutes, you can easily reload the packing tape dispenser. Here’s how:

1. Over the dispenser reel, place the roll of packing tape in such a way that it will unwind in a counter-clockwise manner.

2. Hold the front tab of the packing tape roll, pulling it at a downward angle through the slot between the dispenser roller and shield. There are also tape dispensers that have a shield to which you can pull down the tape and slide it through. Remember that the sticky side of the packing tape should always face downwards.

3. In an upward motion, simply pull the front tab of the tape so that the dispenser blade can cut through the packing tape. The blades of packing tape dispensers are sharp enough to cut through your skin so be careful in handling such packaging tools to avoid cuts and bruises.

4. To be sure that the packing tape dispenser functions perfectly, test it by unrolling just a small amount of tape and cutting it with the dispenser’s blade.

5. If the packing tape dispenser is not tight enough, adjust it by tightening the tension adjuster and set the unwinding feature at a comfortable and smooth level.

When handling such tools, always be careful and make sure that you are comfortable handling the packing tape dispenser, or any other packaging tool for that matter. BestPack.com is an online manufacturer of packaging equipment, such as carton sealers, and also offers nationally-acclaimed packing tapes ideal for the packaging industry.

Benefits of Case Sealers in the Workplace

Case sealers are part of the case erecting and final sealing cycle. This type of packaging equipment can perform overlapping flaps or sequential folding and can be used for both top seal only, or top and bottom seal. With the flap folding function and platen compression, professional looking and perfectly jointed flaps are well-aligned for a more attractive finish. Case sealers basically operate by sealing product filled cases with the top flaps either with tape or hot melt glue.

Case sealers come in uniform and random functions and are also available in semi-automatic and automatic models. As the terms suggest, semi-automatic case sealers still need the assistance of an operator to function while automatic case sealers are operator free models. Case sealers are great investments in the workplace and here are just some of the reasons why:

Fully Automatic Random Highspeed Sidedrive (CSS)

1. Case sealers are made from stainless steel that can be adjusted.
2. Owners can adjust the proper height and width for increased productivity.
3. Whether you choose a semi-automatic or an automatic case sealer, both models automatically fold the flap then tightly sealing the case.
4. Highly economical.
5. Dual masts with dual lead screws are added for added stability and height adjustments.
6. Case sealers can seal boxes and cases in different sizes and types.

Fully Automatic Random Sidedrive w/ 4 Tape Heads of continuous flo action (CS4G)

With that in mind, case sealers greatly increase efficiency in the workplace by:

1. Reducing injuries for manually fed case sealers
2. Reducing labor yet increasing output
3. Tape waste is reduced as well
4. End product gets a more professional appearance
5. Material cost is also decreased, and finally
6. Case sealers create a professional-looking seal

And so when deciding to purchase a case sealer for your business, ask yourself if you want an operator-fed or operator-free case sealer. Also determine how many boxes should be sealed per production line per minute/hour. The carton sizes are also a factor in choosing the right case sealer as well as choosing between 2” and 3” case sealing tapes to seal the box. Finally, find out whether your business needs a top and bottom applicator, or just a top applicator.

The Many Ways Products can be Packaged In

Different products require different packaging techniques. The most important factors to consider is the product itself and the degree of protection it needs in order to survive its transportation. Packaging is meant to protect products from shock, contain liquid; they must also abide by security and sometimes the packaging serves marketing purposes.

Blister Pack – Blister packing is for retail purposes. The product is served in a clear or opaque plastic or metal foil seal to hold it in place. This type of packaging provides individual protection which is especially useful for tablets, capsules, and even action figures. Other products are small consumer goods like electrical items, hardware, and toys. Manufacturers make the most of blister packs by incorporating marketing strategies such as placing company names at the back of the pack.

Tamper-Evident Packaging – Tamper-proof packaging is commonly practiced in the pharmaceutical and food industries to prevent the tampering of medical products such as pills and jars. The Food and Drug Administration has required induction sealing or cap sealing to hermetically seal the top of plastic and glass containers to help provide evidence of tampering. Shipping containers also have tamper-evident packaging to secure wholesale goods and items. Shrink-wrap is also an effective means to prevent tampering though it has always been overshadowed by other tamper proof packaging means.

Fully Automatic Sidedrive One Edge (AS1E) with Indexer

Cardboard packaging – Cardboard is an inexpensive means of packaging items and goods. Aside from being abundant in supplies, cardboard packaging can be done with carton sealers or case sealers – machines that automatically or manually pack cardboards, which saves businesses time and money. This form of packaging is very popular for transport of consumer and commercial products. Some products that use cardboard packaging include cereals, liquid products like milk and orange juice, and even washing powder.

BestPack.com proudly offers case sealers to make packaging easier and hassle free. Choose from random, manual, and automatic case sealers or you can also have custom built carton sealers that are suited for your business.