Standard Maintenance for Eggtray Production Line
AGICO suggests that customers keep proper maintenance of egg tray production equipment, which is essential for ensuring stable operation, extending service life, and reducing failure rates.
Maintenance works should be designed by module and cycle based on the eggtray production line’s core equipments (pulp molding machine, control cabinet, conveyor, etc.). If you don’t know how to do the maintenance, follow the standard maintenance procedure instructions below for reference:
Daily Maintenance (Per Shift / Daily)
Daily maintenance of eggtray production line mainly include cleaning, basic inspection, and primary lubrication. On-site operators perform these tasks to ensure each machine in the eggtray plant remains in normal condition before, during, and after each shift.
1. Equipment Cleaning
Cleaning the inside and outside of the main eggtray equipment will keep the machines working at high efficiency with long service life, and avoid egg tray products from being polluted by the working environment.
- Remove paper scraps and pulp residues from the eggtray forming molds to prevent clogging and maintain forming accuracy. Low-pressure water jets with dedicated cleaning agents may be used. After washing, dry the eggtray mold surfaces to avoid corrosion.
- Clean residual materials from pulp pipelines and the pulp tank, to prevent clogging or pulp quality deterioration. Wipe dust and oil stains from eggtray machine surfaces to maintain a clean working environment.
- Clean dust from PLC control cabinets and electrical enclosures to prevent overheating or signal interference caused by dust accumulation.
2. Basic Inspection
Check the working state of fasteners and pipelines and conveyors to make sure all mechanical parts are functioning normally before the production.
- Check all fasteners (bolts, nuts, clips) for loosening, especially mold fixtures and belt/chain connections. Tighten immediately if necessary.
- Inspect hydraulic/pneumatic pipelines for leakage. Ensure gauge readings are within normal ranges. If leakage or abnormal pressure is detected, stop the machine immediately and report.
- Observe the running condition of rotating parts (rollers, conveyor belts, chains). Stop production immediately for troubleshooting if abnormal noise or jamming is detected.
3. Primary Lubrication
Lack of lubricants will lower the working efficiency of pulp molding machines and the conveyor, add suitable lubricants (e.g., lithium-based grease) to exposed pins, guide rails, and moving joints to ensure smooth motion. Avoid oil contact with electrical components or pulp trays contact areas.
Periodic Maintenance – Weekly Monthly Semiannual
Periodic maintenance must be carried out by trained maintenance personnel weekly or monthly. Core equipments should be inspected thoroughly, and maintenance cycles adjusted according to actual running hours and load intensity.
Weekly Maintenance
- Transmission System: Check chain/belt tension. Loose belts cause slipping; overly tight belts increase wear. Adjust tension according to manual specifications. Lubricate chains and remove dust or rust.
- Forming Molds: Inspect mold cavities for deformation, cracks, or wear. Repair minor damage and replace severely worn molds to maintain forming quality.
- Water & Air System: Clean water filters; check air dryer desiccant and replace if ineffective to prevent moisture from damaging pneumatic components.
Monthly Maintenance
- Electrical Control System: Electricians should inspect electrical terminals for looseness or aging. Test PLC modules, sensors, and solenoid valves for sensitivity and response. Replace or repair faulty components. Back up PLC programs to prevent data loss.
- Hydraulic System: Check oil level and oil condition. Top up with the specified oil if the level is low. If oil appears cloudy, emulsified, or contaminated, replace it completely and clean the oil tank. Clean hydraulic oil filters to ensure smooth oil circulation.
- Drying System (if equipped): Clean dust from filters and heat-dissipation fins. Check heating tube efficiency and inspect fans for noise or low airflow to ensure stable drying quality.
Semiannual Maintenance
- Core Forming Components: Disassemble and inspect the main forming shaft, bearings, and related parts. Measure bearing clearance and replace if beyond limits. Perform NDT (non-destructive testing) on forming molds to detect hidden cracks.
- Machine Calibration: Have the manufacturer or certified technicians calibrate forming accuracy, pressure settings, and transmission synchronization. For multi-mold/ multi-product systems, verify mold compatibility and alignment for all specifications.
- Safety System: Test emergency stop buttons, safety light curtains, and overload protection systems. Conduct simulated fault tests to ensure reliable safety performance.
Electrical Control and Raw Material Preparation System Maintenance
1. PLC Intelligent Control System
Keep the control cabinet dustproof and waterproof; ensure proper enclosure sealing. Regularly check the cooling fan to prevent overheating damage. Only certified personnel may modify PLC parameters.
2. Eco-friendly Raw Material Preparation System
Clean the shredder knives regularly; sharpen or replace them if worn to ensure proper fiber preparation. Clean the pulp mixing tank and agitator blades to avoid hardened pulp buildup.
4 Tips for Maintenance Precautions
- Before any maintenance, disconnect the main power supply and shut off air/hydraulic sources. Hang a “Do Not Energize” warning tag to prevent accidental startup.
- Lubricants, hydraulic oils, and cleaning agents must comply with the manufacturer’s specifications; do not mix incompatible materials.
- Maintain a detailed maintenance log recording date, work performed, replaced parts, and responsible personnel to support traceability and future planning.
- In the event of major failures (e.g., control system crash or forming machine deformation), stop the equipment immediately and contact the manufacturer’s service team. Do not disassemble the machine without authorization.