When the heat sealing tester (used to test the heat sealing strength and sealing performance of packaging materials, including heating modules, pressure mechanisms, and temperature control systems) is not used for a long time, maintenance should focus on preventing component aging, corrosion, and functional failure, with a particular emphasis on protecting heating elements, sealing heads, electrical systems, and mechanical structures. The specific steps are as follows:
1、 Before shutdown: Thoroughly clean and eliminate "residual hazards"
The core prerequisite for long-term storage is "no residue, no stains", to avoid long-term adhesion of residual substances (such as packaging material debris, oil stains) that may cause component corrosion or adhesion:
Heating head and workbench cleaning
After the equipment has completely cooled down (to avoid burns), gently wipe the surface of the heating pressure head with a soft cloth dipped in anhydrous ethanol or neutral cleaner (to remove residual packaging film melting marks and adhesive), and then dry it with a dry cloth;
Clean the workbench (the platform where samples are placed), especially the gaps under the pressure head (can be wiped with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to avoid debris accumulation and uneven closure of the pressure head).
Cleaning of flow paths and auxiliary components (if any)
If the equipment has a vacuum detection function (such as a negative pressure module for measuring sealing), clean compressed air should be used to blow the vacuum interface, or ultra pure water should be used to rinse the vacuum pipeline (according to the instructions) to avoid impurity blockage;
Clean the dust on the surface of the equipment (use a soft bristled brush or dry cloth to clean the body, operation panel, and heat dissipation holes, and do not rinse directly with water).
2、 Core components: Targeted protection to prevent aging and damage
The key components of the heat sealing tester (heating tube, sealing strip, electrical components) are prone to moisture, oxidation, and deformation if left idle for a long time, and require special protection:
Heating module and pressure head protection
Ensure that the heating pressure head is in a "completely released" state (without applying pressure) to avoid long-term deformation of the sealing strip (if the pressure head has a sealing strip) under pressure;
If the indenter is made of metal material (without adhesive tape), a thin layer of anti rust oil (such as sewing machine oil, corrosive lubricating oil is prohibited) can be applied on the surface to prevent long-term exposure, oxidation and rusting;
Check the wiring terminals of the heating tube (if accessible) to ensure there is no looseness. If necessary, wipe off the surface oxide layer of the terminals with a dry cloth (to avoid moisture and short circuits).
Electrical system moisture-proof
Unplug the power plug and wrap the metal part of the plug with insulating tape (to prevent moisture and oxidation);
If the storage environment has high humidity (such as during the southern rainy season), a desiccant pack (silicone desiccant, regularly replaced) can be placed inside the equipment (such as under the control panel or in the heat dissipation chamber), or a "moisture-proof and dustproof cover" can be placed on the equipment (choose breathable materials to avoid condensation caused by sealing).
Lubrication and fixation of mechanical structures
Apply a small amount of specialized lubricating grease (such as lithium based grease) to the moving parts of the equipment (such as the guide rail for the pressure head lifting and the pressure adjustment knob), gently rotate the knob or push the pressure head to ensure even lubrication (to avoid component jamming caused by long-term idle);
Adjust the pressure head to the "highest position" to avoid long-term deformation of the lifting screw under stress; If the device has a fixed buckle, fix the pressure head in the idle position.
3、 Storage environment: Control temperature and humidity, stay away from "unfavorable factors"
Environment is the key to long-term storage, and improper environment can accelerate component aging. It is necessary to meet the requirements of "dry, room temperature, and no interference":
Temperature and humidity requirements
Temperature: 10-30 ℃ (avoid extreme high or low temperatures, such as near heating or air conditioning vents, or below 0 ℃, which may cause component freezing and cracking);
Humidity: ≤ 60% (Do not store in damp environments such as basements or near sinks to prevent electrical components from being affected by moisture, short circuits, and metal parts from rusting).
Storage location requirements
Place it on a horizontal and stable tabletop to avoid tilting and causing deformation of the mechanical structure;
Stay away from strong magnetic fields (such as large motors and transformers) and corrosive gases (such as near laboratory acid-base reagent cabinets) to prevent interference with electrical components or corrosion of metal parts;
Do not stack heavy objects on the device (to avoid deformation under pressure), and do not place the device in direct sunlight (to prevent aging of the casing and fading of the control panel).
4、 Regular inspection: "Wake up" maintenance to avoid functional failure
Even if not used for a long time, it is necessary to regularly "activate" the equipment to prevent functional degradation of components after long-term idle. It is recommended to check once every 3-6 months:
Power on self-test (key step)
Plug in the power and perform a "no-load self-test" after turning on the device (follow the instructions, such as letting the pressure head run empty 1-2 times, check whether the lifting is smooth and whether the temperature control system displays normally);
If the device has a "temperature calibration" function, it can be briefly heated to a low temperature (such as 50 ℃), observe whether the temperature display is stable (without jumping), confirm that the heating module is not faulty, and immediately shut down for cooling (to avoid long-term no-load heating damage to the components).
Component status review
Check if the desiccant is damp (if the silicone desiccant turns pink, it needs to be replaced), and if the anti rust oil is dry (if the pressure head is coated with oil, a thin layer needs to be applied);
Push the pressure head and turn the adjustment knob to confirm that the mechanical components are not stuck (if stuck, a small amount of lubricating grease can be added).