2015 Fall Maintenance Tips

Fall Maintenance Tips
With the changing of the leaves comes the time to check and change out a few components on your machinery, as part of regular maintenance. Here’s our semi-annual list of maintenance tips:

Storage
This is a good time to check the condition of bulk storage tanks and remove any buildup or sediment that might have accumulated. Check your inventory to make sure you don't have any old pails, drums, bulk drums or totes hidden from view.

Ripsaws
Good maintenance of ripsaws involves more than just changing saw blades. When was the last time you checked parts alignment or the condition of arbor bearings?

Mixing Equipment
The mix ratio of two-part Multibond adhesives is important for good radio frequency gluing and the development of proper water resistance. Is it time for you to check this ratio?

Glue Spreaders
Repair or replace any loose flights on conveyors. Remove any glue build up around the spreaders. Check the condition of the applicator rolls and lubricate parts as necessary.

Clamp Carriers
Clean and lubricate each clamp. This is also a good time to replace the thrust washer, located behind the tightening nut on each clamp. Check each clamp to ensure that it is applying proper pressure. Also assess the condition of the drive chains, and replace any broken air or hydraulic gauges.

Radio Frequency Presses
Most machines have several hydraulic pressure cylinders. Area all of them working? Check fluid levels in pumps and make sure that all gauges are functioning. The beryllium copper strip along the front edge of the machine and other ground straps are frequently damaged or disconnected. You also want to clean the retard system in continuous flow machine and check for wear.

Quick Fixes for a Few Fall PVA Gluing Problems
Autumn carries crisp weather across the country, generally creating the ideal conditions for gluing. However, fall also brings sudden drops in temperatures, which can cause the same gluing issues in unheated buildings you might face in the depth of winter. You can reduce these problems by turning on the heat slightly before rather than slightly after the factory temperature drops too far.

Early morning fog in late autumn can cause under-cured joints. Cool and damp conditions frequently result in under-cured joints because most water-based glues cure more slowly under these conditions. If you are experiencing an increase in panel failures or delaminations, allow the panels to remain clamped an extra 10 to 15 minutes. If you are using radio frequency equipment, try increasing the cure cycle by five to 10 seconds.

Adhere to the minimum-use temperature to avoid glue line chalking. Most glues dry clear or slightly opaque. A chalked glue line is abnormally light. A milky or chalky white glue squeeze out means that the plant and wood are too cold for the adhesive being used. The "minimum use temperature" is noted on our data sheets as a guide. For ideal glue performance, you want to keep the wood and plant temperatures at least a few degrees above this value.

Unlike PVAs, PUR Hot Melts tend to set more quickly in cooler weather. This is normally not a problem, but if the open time or set time of a hot melt becomes too short, please consult your Franklin representative.

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