INTRODUCTION

The Tape Head is a very critical item that belongs to the sealing section of an ATFXU machine. It's very important to verify the condition of all the elements that integrate this section on the machine and understand what kind of faults we can present when the Tape Head is not cutting the tape. To delve into this technical concern, we must explore potential causes that extend from height misconfigurations to the condition of the cutting blade itself. In this article, we dissect these critical factors and emphasize their significance in maintaining the optimal performance of your tape sealer machine.

POSSIBLE CAUSES

If the Tape Head isn't cutting the tape, factors such as incorrect height settings or a worn-out/dirty cutting blade might be the cause. Properly adjusting the height and ensuring the cleanliness of the cutting blade are essential for resolving this issue.

TROUBLESHOOT STEPS

Addressing these potential causes requires a systematic and technical approach to troubleshooting. Follow these steps to diagnose and rectify the issue:

1. Verify Height and Width Adjustments:

   • Carefully inspect the width configuration- is the lid supported properly? Does the lid fall off the rail as it goes through the sealing area?

     • Adjust the Width: Carefully center the box in the machine. Adjust the side guide width by positioning the side guides to within 3-5mm of the width of the carton but not touching the sides.

       * One method is to fully snug the guide rails up to box (to center it), then back the handle off about 1 - 2 full turns. 
       * Pull the spring-loaded, lid-support plate away from the side of the box to verify that the sides of the bottom box do not touch the side guide rails on both sides, and that they are equidistance from the box.
       * Bulky, overfilled produce will cause the sides of the box to bulge and get stuck if the side guides are too narrow. 
       
     • Verify Lid-Support Plate:  Verify that the lid-support plate is positioned beneath the lid. The movable, lid-support plates should just barely touch the sides of the bottom box while the lid rests on top of the plates. It is recommended to set the four springs to the least tension position, initially. With time and use, the springs will gradually lose tension and the bolt will need to be adjusted. 
        
     • Verify the Lid support plate springs are intact and functioning properly.  Adjust or replace if necessary
       
       
   • Adjust the Sealing Height: With the lid resting on lid-support rails, lower the sealing area top mast by turning the handle counterclockwise. Align the top belt drive with the top of the carton. The top flaps should lie flat with the drive belts gently touching the top. 

     
     

     * Too high adjustment will cause a poor seal with a loose tab, the belts and tape head rollers won't make good contact with the box, reducing pulling force, and resulting in a No-Cut tape condition. 
     * Too low adjustment will crush the bottom edges of the lid or force the lid to drop below the support plates resulting in a No-Cut tape condition.
2. If the lid never makes it onto the lid support rails, verify the Lid Lifters are adjusted correctly. 
   * The lid lifters must lift the lid high enough to clear the lid support rails and allow the lid to fall back down on top of the rails when they retract.
   * Adjust the lid lifters upward, if lid does not make it on to the rails. 

3. If the machine is properly adjusted, inspect the tape head, blade and application rollers.

    * Verify the tape is threaded correctly. 

   * Inspect and clean the blade.

   * Check the blade for damaged teeth.
   * Clean and remove any tape residue from the rollers.
   * Apply oil to the oil pad that lubricates the blade.

4.  If the blade is in good condition, carefully inspect the tape head for proper adjustment.
   * Check tape tension. Adjust the mandrel tension knob if necessary.
   * Check the centeredness of the tape on the mandrel.
      - An off-centered roll will not thread properly. 
      - Use the spanner wrench from the tool kit to center the mandrel
   * Check for uniform tab adjustment settings. 
   * Verify the blade is mounted correctly.
      - The bevel should face or touch the oil pad
      - Use the blue plastic depth gauge tool to mount the blade. 
      - The blade guard should extend 2-3mm beyond the teeth. 

5. A closer inspection of the tape head mechanics may be required: 
   * Inspect for damaged or broken parts. 
   * Inspect the tape erect plate, spring and supporting bridge.
   * Inspect the knife guard, springs and bridge
   * Inspect the knife harness for broken, loose or missing springs and hardware
   * Check for interference caused by loose or missing hardware.
   * Actuate the knife harness while pushing the application rollers into the tape head. Check that the motions are smooth and seamless.

TROUBLESHOOTING CHECKLIST

• Machine Adjustment Required
  • Height
  • Width
    • Broken or missing Lid-support rail springs. 
  • Lid-Lifters
• Tape Head Issues
  • Cleaning or maintenance required. 
  • Blade position and mounting orientation.
  • Incorrectly threaded tape.
  • Interference caused by loose or missing hardware.
  • Damaged or broken parts 
    
    • Damaged Blade
    • Tape erect Plate, spring, or bridge
    • Blade guard, springs, or bridge.
    • Knife harness, springs, or hardware.

CONCLUSION

Issues arising from incorrect height settings or a deteriorated cutting blade can disrupt the precision of the sealing process. By diligently following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, operators can ensure that their tape sealer machines perform at their peak, reducing operational disruptions and enhancing overall productivity in the packaging process.