PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE FOR THERMAL LAMINATING SYSTEMS
For the average print shop, few things are as crucial to long-term success as the performance and upkeep of its equipment. Print service providers invest tens of thousands of dollars into their machinery, from high-tech presses and image software to complex finishing systems that give prints and packaging unique, value-added features. Of all the equipment on a print shop production floor, the condition of the thermal laminator ranks near the top in terms of importance.
Many print service providers use one laminator to process the output of multiple presses. If one press goes out, a print shop may have a backup available, but a downed laminator can easily grind the entire business to a halt. To protect their equipment investment and maximize efficiency on the production floor, Nobelus recommends that print shops perform routine preventative maintenance on their thermal laminating systems.
WHAT IS PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE?
Unlike a break-fix maintenance call, preventative maintenance is performed when the thermal laminating system is operating well and shows little to no signs of damage or wear. Annual professional service technician visits are typically scheduled well in advance, ensuring the machine receives a general checkup to make minor repairs and spot potential issues.
While operators can aid in preventative maintenance by taking good care of their equipment on a daily basis, these yearly visits are more thorough and include several professional services. Some equipment distributors, such as Nobelus, directly employ trained technicians who are experienced with laminator upkeep and can help printers keep their machinery running smoothly for many years. When a technician arrives at the customer’s facility, they will perform several pivotal tasks that address all potential concerns.
General Equipment Checkup
Thermal laminating systems are complex pieces of machinery with many moving parts that must work together seamlessly to produce high-quality results. While there may be some obvious signs something has gone wrong if the unit begins producing poor-quality sheets, it is ideal to catch issues before they ever affect live customer orders.
In a preventative maintenance visit, equipment technicians thoroughly analyze the laminator’s status through visual inspection and test runs. If they see or hear signs that something isn’t working as it should, they can isolate the issue and offer a solution before the problem becomes noticeable to the average operator.
Deep Cleaning
Even if every component in a thermal laminator is relatively new and in good condition, improper or infrequent cleaning can cause issues in how the machine functions and the quality of laminated prints. Parts such as the chrome roller, nip rollers, and control panel should be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent the buildup of debris and grime, but many other parts need to be cleaned by an experienced technician on a less frequent basis.
During an annual preventative maintenance visit, the technician will make sure vital components of the laminator are thoroughly cleaned to maximize efficiency and ensure quality results. A deep clean keeps debris from clogging up ball bearings, blades, and other parts that need to move freely.
Replacement Parts
Even when operators are diligent with upkeep and careful not to overstress the machine, certain components in a thermal laminating system will need to be replaced over time due to age and standard wear and tear. Service technicians know which parts should be proactively replaced as they near the end of their lifespan and can also spot parts that may need more unexpected repairs due to the type or volume of prints the machine runs daily.
Without annual preventative maintenance, these parts may reach the end of their lifespan at an inconvenient time for a print shop, such as in the middle of a big job, or even cause damage for other parts, such as shafts and other rollers. By keeping an eye on the age and condition of each part, a service technician could save a print shop thousands of dollars with one simple replacement.
Recalibration and Optimization
After the thermal laminating system has been carefully cleaned and new parts have been installed, the equipment technician will make sure the laminator is returned to its factory settings and overall running smoothly. They ensure the nip rollers and chrome roller apply the appropriate amount of pressure for different material thicknesses and that the separation mechanism is functioning seamlessly.
Throughout this process, the technician discerns if any part of the machine is out of line or if a specific part of the laminator is experiencing unexpected strain. The goal of any experienced service technician is to ensure the machine will operate smoothly for the next 12 months.
SIMPLIFYING PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE FOR YOUR LAMINATOR
An annual preventative maintenance visit serves as a highly detailed, technical examination that plays a pivotal role in making sure a laminating system functions properly long term. Any print shop that does not keep a thermal laminator technician on staff should always contact a professional for anything past basic, daily maintenance and cleanup.
Still, it can be frustrating and overwhelming to manage the maintenance of a laminator when there are so many other tasks for an operator to focus on. To make maintenance an easy, stress-free process, Nobelus offers anyone who purchases one of our laminating systems the opportunity to sign an EMA.
What Is an EMA?
EMA is short for equipment maintenance agreement. While several equipment manufacturers and distributors offer EMAs to their customers, the terms, conditions, and coverage may vary greatly. Nobelus has always gone to great lengths to be more than a supplier that goes silent after completing an equipment sale; instead, our team considers each equipment customer to be a long-term partner who can utilize our products and services to achieve long-term growth. That’s why we offer you holistic equipment support in the form of our EMA.
When a print service provider signs an EMA with Nobelus, they instantly gain access to preventative maintenance services, including an annual on-site visit to examine any thermal laminators purchased from Nobelus with discounts based on the number of units covered. This benefit simplifies scheduling, ensures a detailed record is kept of each machine’s status, and ultimately removes the burden of equipment upkeep from busy operators and owners. However, preventative maintenance is not the only benefit of an EMA.
- In-Person Support
Through an EMA with Nobelus, print service providers can rest assured that they are covered if their thermal laminator breaks down suddenly. Once we determine an issue requires in-person support, we guarantee that one of our in-house technicians will be at your facility ready to look at the machine within 72 hours.
- Wear-and-Tear Part Replacement
Most service agreements will not cover wear-and-tear parts as they are expected costs, but Nobelus will replace rollers, blades, ball bearings, and other similar parts at no additional cost to the equipment owner.
- Consumables Rebate
Save as much as 2% on consumables purchased through Nobelus when you sign an EMA with our team. This rebate lasts for the entire term of the EMA and through any renewals, leading to significant savings in the long term.
- Discounts on Training Sessions
Our service team offers a la carte pricing on training sessions for new operators and refresher sessions for experienced team members. With an EMA, print shops can access these training services at a discounted rate, which helps ensure your team is well trained and knowledgeable about your equipment investment.
These perks are far from the only benefits our customers can access through an EMA. To learn more about signing an EMA with Nobelus, be sure to read through our blog post, “What Is an EMA?“
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE?
If you have any questions about thermal laminating systems, maintenance requirements, or EMAs, be sure to give our team a call. Our experienced in-house service technicians have dealt with all types of laminators, applications, and markets. For customers who do not want to purchase an EMA, we can schedule a single preventative maintenance or repair call to make sure your laminating system stays in peak condition.
