Gartech Glue System Service Recommendations

While we recommend–and offer–routine service calls for your Gartech Glue System, we wanted to produce a blog that lets you maintain your own equipment with your own personnel. In today’s entry, we’re taking a look at servicing recommendations and general maintenance. Each of these measures are performed during a service call and have proven beneficial to reducing downtime due to part failure and poor housekeeping. Let’s get started…

Gartech Glue Reservoir

Remove the Gartech Glue Reservoir from service and thoroughly clean. We recommend keeping a spare reservoir to avoid downtime. If you do not have a spare, reusable glue can be stored in a clean, dry bucket while cleaning the reservoir and its working components.
Inspect the condition of the ball float assembly, dismantle and clean thoroughly.
Ensure that when rebuilding the ball float mechanism, it is fully lubricated with allergen-free, food safe spray.
Inspect the outlet valve. Clean and remove obstructions if present.
Check that the glue pressure inlet is set to 35-pounds per square inch (35 psi) maximum.
When refilling the reservoir with good clean glue, check that the ball float is set at the correct level.
The correct level is approximately one inch below the supply valve.

Learn more about the Gartech Glue Reservoir.

Reservoir-to-Manifold Supply Line

Check that the supply hose is in good condition, still flexible, and tear-free.
Check that there are no blockages of dried glue in the pipe.
Check that the supply pipe is not kinked at maximum panel or under strain from being pulled too tight at minimum panel.
Ensure the hose clamps are tightened.

Learn more about the Gartech Glue Manifold.

Glue Manifold

Visually inspect the pneumatic valves.
Remove the top and bottom plugs and check that there are no blockages of dried glue.
Check the supply and return pipes are free from blockages and are in good condition.
Check all hose clamps are tight.
Check the cables to the glue valve and skinner valve are in good condition and not under strain.
Check the air pipes are in good condition and not under strain.

Mechanical Glue Unit Housing

To learn more about the mechanical parts in this section read the blog entry on the Gartech Glue Wheel and Glue Shoe layouts.

To clean:

Remove both Gartech Glue Shoes and Gartech Glue Wheels. We discuss how to clean them in the next two sections.
Thoroughly clean all areas of the mechanical glue unit housing.
Once clean, lightly apply a plant-approved nonstick spray to the entire housing. This delays the glue build-up process.

Glue Wheels

Remove both glue wheels and put them in separate buckets of cold water to soak for 15 minutes.
Detergent is not required to clean the wheels.
Remove the wheels from the water and thoroughly clean the fluted area with a nylon brush.
Wipe the wheels dry with a good quality fabric cloth.
Inspect the wheels for damage on the outer edges, and dress with a needle file any areas that show damage if required.
If Glue Wheel damage is significant, we recommend sending it to Gartech for redressing.
Before mounting the Glue Wheels upon the Glue Wheel Shafts, coat the bore with light grease or oil and ensure the end caps are secured tightly.
Ensure that Glue Wheels are safely handled and do not add nonstick spray, grease or oil onto the fluted area of the wheels.

Glue Shoes

Soak glue shoes in water for about 15 minutes.
Remove the barbed hose fittings and clean thoroughly.
Clean any dried glue from inside the glue shoe.
Inspect the sealing surfaces of the glue shoe, redress with a needle file if required.
Check that the metering plate is not extended past the glue shoe, reset if required.
Refit the glue shoe, use a 0.002″ feeler gauge to check all four corners, the position of the shoe should be equal on each corner.
If all four corners are not set correctly, loosen the glue shoe retaining plate bolts and adjust the position.
Push the glue shoe up to the glue wheel lightly, and lock into position using the retaining bolt. Do not over tighten, just nipped up is required.
Using a 0.002″ feeler gauge between the metering plate and the fluted area of the wheel set the glue gap.
Back of the shoe slide up to the wheel and recheck the settings.
Turn the wheels by hand to check for smooth operation.

Learn more about setting the Gartech Glue Shoe Metering Plate and how to Maintain the Glue Pattern.

Glue Shoe Supply & Return Hoses

Check that each hose is in good condition, replace as required.
Check that all hoses clamps and optional quick-connect fittings are still tight.
Check that the supply hoses and return hoses are free of collapsed points, kinks, and blockages.
Check that the supply hose doesn’t extend below the glue shoe so far that the gravity-fed supply starves before it can reach the shoe.
We do recommend that all hoses included in the Gartech Glue System are checked for wear, tearing, blockage, or loose connection.

DC Motor (where in use)

Turn off the main power to the Gartech panel, use a meter to ascertain there is no voltage present.
Remove the brush gear inspection plates.
Using a clean dry air supply blow out the armature area.
Remove the brushes and inspect for condition and length, replace as required. Need to replace the carbon brushes?
Refit the brushes.
Refit the armature cover plates.

AC Motor (where in use)

Inspect for signs of overheating or leaking from the gearbox.
Ensure the mounting bolts or nuts are still tight.
Inspect the nylon gear coupling (shown below) that fits between the motor and 90° reducer (also used on the DC Motor). This keyed part sits on the output shaft of the motor and its internal gear teeth mesh with the gear reducer, letting the two link and drive the Gartech Glue System.
Replace worn keys or gear coupling if needed.

Showing the Nylon Gear Coupling (Part No. 50683340)

Drive Belt and Pulleys

Inspect the dual-positive timing belt, timing pulleys, keys, bearings, and lock-nuts for signs of wear or looseness.
Replace worn keys fitted into the Gartech Glue Shafts and Gear Reducer.
Replace worn bearings.
Inspect the dual-positive timing belt for signs of wear, fraying, or shredding. Replace if the edges of the belt are torn.
Inspect that the dual-positive-timing belt is not over-tightened or too loose.

Learn more about the Gartech Glue System mechanical drive components.

Pneumatic Panel

Inspect the panel for air and water leaks, repair if required.
Set the restrictor on the water line to three turns open.
Set the cold water pressure to 20 psi max.
Set the Bimba air cylinder restrictor to one and a half turns open.
Set the air pressure to 80 psi max.

Learn more about the Gartech Pneumatic Panel.

Wash Up and Glue Cycle checks

Put each shoe and wheel into an automatic wash up, and check for leaks etc.
Put each shoe and wheel into a gluing cycle, check for stable consistent glue pattern and leaks etc.

Speed Set-Ups (where in use)

Set the glue unit into a gluing cycle and run the press at minimum speed, using a hand-held tachometer check for correct glue wheel speed to speed of folding belts.
Correct any discrepancies using the minimum potentiometer on the speed isolation board.
Run the press at maximum speed and check for correct speed with a hand-held tachometer, use the maximum potentiometer to set correct speed.
Continue items (a) and (c) until no further adjustment is necessary.

Learn more about setting the correct speed.

Read the article: Why Upgrade Your Gartech Glue System?

Production

Here’s where we encourage you to double-check the work you’ve performed. Ensure all tools have been removed from the machine, that all guards and covers are secured, and that any loosened bolts, fittings, or clamps are secured again.
Put the Glue System back into production and monitor the glue application on the board.