Hot melt glue pumps can be expensive assets, and as such, their lifespan is measured in years rather than months. With regular visual inspections, cleaning, and maintenance, a glue pump will provide consistent and reliable service. However, like all machines, they will eventually reach the end of their useful life and will need to be replaced. Here are five signs that your glue pump might be reaching the end of its lifespan.
- Glue around pump shaft – a build-up of glue on the shaft of the pump is a sign that the pump shaft seal has failed and needs to be replaced. The pump will continue to operate but a planned maintenance can be arranged next time the line is out of action.
- Loss of glue pressure / inconsistent application – we see this a lot and it is normally down to the pump only pressurising on one stroke. A simple visual inspection will confirm this. The speed of pump stroke should be similar on both the up and down stroke. If the pump travels one direction slowly and then slams on the opposite stroke, that is a sure sign that there is degraded material behind one of the 2 ball bearings in the pump.
- Pump sticks in position – check the magnet in the pump arm. If the magnet is broken or has dislodged from its mounting, it won’t allow the pump to change stroke.
- Also check the detent on the base of the magnetic change over valve, excessive wear or even the circlip having popped out of position will cause the pump to stick.
- No glue at all and pump stroking continuously can be caused by a build-up of jellified adhesive in the base of the tank, the liquid adhesive has been cooked for so long it has turned into a jelly and the pump can’t suck the molten produce through this layer of jelly.
- Air leaking out from air cylinder – one or both shaft air seals has failed and need to be replaced.
(In all of the above simply call us and we will talk you through the spare parts and various options available.)
7) Unscheduled Downtime
Unscheduled downtime is the bane of all production businesses. If you’re frequently stopping production to perform maintenance or spot repairs on your glue pump, you may be better off replacing the component entirely and thereby avoiding the wasted time and lost productivity. A new glue pump should require less maintenance and downtime than an older component while it’s in warranty, keeping your production line running smoothly without interruptions and delays.
Your Next Steps
By investing in a new glue pump or having your existing pump cleaned and repaired, you can avoid costly and frustrating downtime, increase accuracy and precision, reduce adhesive usage, and keep your production line running consistently —all while saving money on repairs and maintenance. If any of the above six signs sound familiar, don’t wait any longer—contact us today to find the perfect replacement glue pump for your manufacturing business.
