Seamer and Filler Maintenance and Repair: RSS MACLIN specializes in the maintenance and repair of can seamers, ensuring they operate at peak performance, reducing downtime, and maximizing production efficiency. 

Seam Quality Analysis  

With cutting-edge technology and expertise, RSS MACLIN conducts in-depth seam quality analysis, helping clients identify and address potential issues related to can seams, seam integrity, and leak prevention. 

Seamer Training and Support 

RSS MACLIN offers comprehensive training programs to equip clients’ staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to operate can seamers effectively, enabling companies to maintain consistent production standards. 

Customized Solutions

Understanding that each business has unique requirements, RSS MACLIN provides tailored solutions to address clients’ specific challenges and objectives in the canning industry. 

“We are thrilled to participate in this year’s Pack Expo with our specialized can seamer products and services,” said Chris Ganni, Business Development Manager of RSS MACLIN. “This presents a fantastic opportunity to engage with other industry professionals and showcase how we can optimize canning operations of all sizes, improving productivity and product quality.” 

For more information about RSS MACLIN and its services, please visit rssmaclin.com.

At RSS MACLIN, we support everyone in the food and beverage packaging industry, from micro-breweries to carbonated beverage giants. For those new to the industry, total package oxygen is the amount of oxygen that is sealed in a package. For cans, this includes: 

• Dissolved oxygen: The oxygen that is dissolved in the liquid itself 
• Headspace oxygen: The oxygen within the foam of a carbonated beverage 
• Oxygen transmission: Oxygen that slowly permeates through the walls of the can 

At RSS MACLIN, we’re committed to excellence. 

The materials used for can seaming are important to ensure low TPO and a high-quality seal. When exploring how can-seam materials affect TPO, we’ll look specifically at the compound, can body, and seam specifications.  

Compound  

Compound quality and consistency  

When you’re trying to ensure a quality seam on your can, compound is crucial. It’s a vital part of the sealing process and ensures an airtight and secure seam with low TPO levels. Be sure to check the consistency of the compound to ensure optimal quality, since that can also impact the quality of the seam and the TPO levels.  

Compound amount 

In addition to the quality of the compound, it’s also important to ensure the right amount of compound is applied to each lid. For the best results, apply 26-32 grams of compound, depending on the diameter of the lid.  

Can body  

Materials 

In the food and beverage packaging industry, aluminum is the material of choice, often selected for its corrosion resistance and lightweight properties. Over time, aluminum cans are susceptible to oxygen transmission, where the oxygen passes through the material and into the can’s liquid, increasing the TPO levels. For this reason, it’s important to use materials that are new, as the age of the material can impact the TPO levels. At RSS MACLIN, we recommend using lids that are no more than 2 years old, so as not to compromise the quality of the seal.  

Can dimensions  

At RSS MACLIN, we know that details matter. When you ask for scheduled or emergency service, we look at more than just the equipment. Your can’s dimensions are crucial to accurately determine the pin height so that the can seam is shaped and sealed correctly. To calculate the pin height, use the following equation:  

Pin height = Raw can height – Chuck lip height – Material loss – Material deflection 

Seam specifications  

Curl height  

The can seam’s curl height can help minimize TPO levels and improve the quality and integrity of the seal. While curl height varies according to the can’s dimensions, it’s important that seam technicians regularly inspect the seam quality and adjust as necessary.  

Flange angle 

As a critical aspect of the seam, the flange angle provides strength to ensure that the seam is able to withstand the internal pressure of carbonated beverages without compromising the seal. If the flange angle isn’t correct, the seam could leak, leading to increased TPO, decreased freshness, and possible product contamination.

Don’t let inconsistent can–seam quality hold you back. Sign your team up for our hands-on can–seaming training to learn how to inspect, identify, and correct issues to ensure ultimate product freshness and customer satisfaction.

When your can seamers are down, contact RSS MACLIN. We’ll respond within 24 hours, so that you can get your production line up and running.  

But even when things are running smoothly, you don’t want to leave production to chance.

It can be challenging to control all of your can seamer processes so closely that you prevent all downtime, but that doesn’t mean that you have to plan production schedules to accommodate for unplanned production downtime.

1. Avoid production downtime 

When cans are being sealed as fast as 70,000 cans per hour, time is money. Every minute of downtime counts, when you’re trying to fulfill a customer demand by a certain deadline.  

When your can seamer production is down, it’s easy to calculate the lost profit, but read one, and you’ll uncover some of the hidden costs.  

2. Avoid labor downtime 

Operators who are standing by during a can-seamer emergency are costing the company money, adding to the unexpected cost from lost production. Even when the unexpected happens, can-seamer training can help reduce your production downtime and help your line return to peak O.E.E.  

3. Avoid ingredient and material loss 

When your product line stops, it impacts your ingredients and materials. They can spoil or become contaminated. Sometimes, when the seaming process comes to a halt mid- production, defects in the can seam require the product to be thrown out.  

When you schedule a routine machine audit with RSS MACLIN, we can ensure that ingredient and material loss from unplanned can-seamer emergencies are kept to a minimum.  

4. Avoid production scheduling conflicts  

Production scheduling can turn into a nightmare when the line stops. It affects nearly every product line deadline. But plant managers don’t have to schedule to accommodate for unplanned can-seamer emergencies. Instead, a simple routine can-seamer machine audit can help keep the line flowing and the schedule on target.  

5. Avoid supply chain problems 

With so many companies relying on “just in time” inventory management practices, companies receive the exact amount of material, almost exactly when they need it. But problems arise when production lines aren’t humming. This can happen to both the receiving and the delivery end. It can result in too much raw material waiting to be used, and too many empty delivery trucks waiting to be dispatched. 

At RSS MACLIN, our audit services include both diagnosis and repair of your can-seaming machinery. We’ll make the most of your scheduled downtime to address all of the parts along your production line (not just the can seamer), to ensure that your can-seaming production keeps running at peak O.E.E.

Our team of can-seaming experts can help you minimize emergency production downtime and increase your productivity. Schedule a machine audit today.

Maintenance and Lubrication: 

Regular maintenance and proper lubrication are vital for optimal can seamer performance. Adhere to a preventive maintenance schedule, including cleaning, inspection, and lubrication. Cleanliness prevents debris and contaminants from disrupting the seaming process. Proper lubrication reduces friction, wear and tear, and the risk of unexpected breakdowns, ensuring peak efficiency. Understanding the lubrication system components enables efficient maintenance. Diagnosing each assembly separately facilitates faster diagnostics and repairs, minimizing downtime. To ensure the longevity of your machine, it is crucial to implement routine oil changes as recommended by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). By adhering to the recommended oil change intervals and selecting the right viscosity grade, you can maximize the efficiency and durability of your equipment.   

Optimize Machine Settings:  

To achieve optimal performance, it is essential to calibrate the setup of each can seamer according to its specific requirements. Invest time in understanding your machine’s capabilities thoroughly. Regularly monitor and adjust settings such as seam thickness, seaming speed, and seam quality as needed. Fine-tuning these parameters can greatly enhance the efficiency of your can seamer, resulting in consistent and reliable sealing of cans. This attention to detail ensures high-quality seams and maintains the integrity of the can bodies. 

Train and Empower Staff:  

Maximizing can seamer efficiency relies on the expertise and empowerment of can-seam operators and technicians. It is crucial to invest in comprehensive training programs to ensure a deep understanding of the machine’s functionalities, safety protocols, and troubleshooting techniques. By encouraging your team to take ownership of their work and involving them in the optimization process, you tap into their valuable expertise and experience. By empowering can seam operators, they gain the ability to be self-reliant, taking charge of self-diagnosing issues and refining processes. As the “first responders” before technicians step in, operators play a crucial role in promptly identifying areas for improvement and boosting overall efficiency. This proactive approach ensures that the production line doesn’t suffer setbacks due to employee turnover, as operators and technicians are equipped to handle challenges and maintain operations smoothly.

 Quality Control and Inspection:  

To ensure the production of defect-free cans, it is essential to implement a robust quality control and inspection system. This system should diligently detect any abnormalities or defects in the seaming process, preventing the occurrence of hold-products. The can manufacturer’s specification sheet will provide recommended measurements for properly sealed cans, serving as a valuable reference. 

Regular inspections of the seams are crucial to identify any signs of improper sealing, such as leaks or loose ends. To enhance the inspection process, leverage advanced technologies like seam vision systems, which offer precise and speedy defect identification. By proactively catching and addressing issues at an early stage, you can minimize waste, guarantee product integrity, and uphold high efficiency throughout your can-seaming operation. 

It is worth noting that seam analysis is often overlooked or underutilized. To address this, ensure that multiple individuals are trained in seam analysis techniques. This allows for broader team involvement and ensures that seam analysis is performed consistently and effectively. By prioritizing comprehensive seam analysis, you can further enhance the quality control process and achieve superior results in your can-seaming operation. 

Continuous Improvement and Data Analysis:  

Embrace a culture of continuous improvement and leverage data analysis to optimize your can seamer’s efficiency. Regularly analyzing can-seam data trends to identify potential issues and determine which repairs can be made proactively, rather than reacting to problems as they occur, keep your filler/seamer producing with less downtime. 

  Increasing the efficiency of your can seamer is a multifaceted endeavor that requires a combination of proactive maintenance, optimized settings, well-trained staff, robust quality control, and continuous improvement initiatives. By implementing these strategies, you can enhance the performance of your can seamer, minimize downtime, reduce waste, and improve the overall productivity of your manufacturing process. With a more efficient can seaming operation, you can ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality products, meet customer demands, and stay ahead of the competition in the market. 

RSS MACLIN wants you to achieve efficiency in your operations. We offer scheduled and emergency service, line maintenance and support, audits and overhauls, and training options that give your team the edge they need to be efficient. Contact us if you would like to find out more about how RSS MACLIN supports can-seam machinery efficiency.