Maximizing Performance: 5 Insider Tips on Caring for Your Timing Screws

Maintaining a smoothly running production line can be an expensive endeavor. From purchasing spare parts to dealing with labor shortages, manufacturers are taking all necessary measures to save money wherever possible. Given these pressures, production facilities have prioritized the strengthening of their maintenance programs.  

By implementing proper upkeep procedures, you can help extend the lifespan of your machines and keep your production line operational for a longer period. And when it comes to timing screws, you have a critical area on your line where upkeep is important to maintain uptime.   

As the largest timing screw manufacturer in North America and supplier to OEMs, there is a good chance you have our screws on your equipment. So we asked our aftermarket team to highlight best practices to ensure the health and longevity of your timing screws. Check them out below. 

1. Daily Inspections

We recommend inspecting your timing screws daily, as they will be handling every container that comes down the line.  

We spoke to our Assembly and Aftermarket Customer Service Manager Seth Licke, and he recommends the following: "The first key to making sure that your timing screw will perform for a long period of time is daily inspections. Look for any deflections, dents, or shavings that will reduce scuffing or any impact on the containers. If you do have any wear on the timing screws you are using, we highly recommend that you send the screw back to Morrison for us to do repair or clean up on the screws, which will keep them operating as efficiently as intended."  

By taking this extra step you can catch any hiccups before they arise which saves possible damaged product, time, and money. 

2. Proper Screw Handling

Running your screw at the proper speed and location are a huge factor in your screw's life span. 

While timing screws provide extremely precise container manipulations, they also require precise set up and handling procedures. To ensure this process is easy and seamless Morrison has engineered the deluxe adjuster, which allows for a tool-less adjustment of timing screw centerlines. Deluxe adjusters eliminate the need for operators to manually adjust the centerline of the drive units and screws, helping to remove the room for any human error that could have a significant impact on your container handling process.  

With a deluxe adjuster on your line, operators simply adjust the relationship of the conveyor, screw and container with the handwheel or ratchet to a pre-determined number corresponding with that container, and all numbers and centerlines are provided in manuals by Morrison. 

Want to learn more about deluxe adjusters? Contact your local sales rep here. 

3. Proper Conveyor Speed

It’s the conveyor’s job to move the container, and it’s the timing screw’s job to handle the container. 

This means, improper conveyor speeds can cause wear and tear, negatively impacting your handling process. For example, when a conveyor's speed is too slow, the screw may have to work harder to move the container along, or the screw may not have enough force to guide the container correctly, resulting in jams or other handling issues. 

On the other hand, if the conveyor speed is too high, the screw may end up pushing the container along instead of guiding it. This can cause the container to bounce or become misaligned, leading to damage or spillage. It can also lead to excessive wear on the screw and other components of the system.  

Make sure your conveyor and screw speeds are properly set based on set up conditions provided to you by the screw manufacturer. We also have some troubleshooting insight in this blog post. 

4.  Greasing Your Equipment

The phrase "well-oiled machine" is something we like to take quite literally, referring to the steelwork of t your equipment. Steelwork may vary from screw to screw but is usually comprised of various components such as bolts and bearings. These components can experience friction and wear out over time, ultimately effecting the precision on your screw and container handling.  

To help slow down this process, we recommend greasing your equipment as a part of preventative maintenance. By keeping steelwork greased, it helps these components move smoothly against one another, which reduces the amount of friction, therefore slowing down the wear process to help lengthen the life of your screw’s steelwork, saving you money and downtime. 

5. Preventative Maintenance Agreements (PMA)

At Morrison, we understand the costly risk of unplanned downtime. That's why we have developed our Preventative Maintenance Agreements (PMA) designed to keep you up and running before a problem arises on your line.  

Features of the Program Include: 

• Dedicated timing screw expert to perform scheduled maintenance at regular intervals. 
• Visits included in the plan receive a 15% discount on our regular service rates. 

• After every visit, you'll be given a recommended spare parts list of wear items to stock. Purchase it within 30 days of the visit's end for another 10% discount. 
• Reduce unplanned downtime and the need for experienced maintenance personnel. Our plans are designed to train your team while performing the necessary maintenance to keep the line up and running at its optimal performance. 
• One size doesn't have to fit all. We offer three different plan options designed to meet your budget and your needs. 

 Do PMA's sound like the right fit for you? Fill out this form. We can't wait to hear from you.