A Guide for Quick Change Parts and Investing in Your Efficiency
Change parts, also known as stars and guides, are essential to many packaging lines. With these products, our goal is to increase performance, help reduce down time, and minimize wasted product. Our expert change parts engineers can measure, design, and install parts specific to your system and your unique container handling needs.
We sat down with one of our expert change parts engineers, Melissa Crawford, to give you some insight into what makes our change parts the best in the industry.
Q: First, tell us a little about yourself and what lead you to designing change parts at Morrison.
A: I studied at Purdue Calumet which is now known as Purdue Northwest. I was assigned to be a supplemental instructor for Jim Higley’s Autodesk Inventor class. From there I went on to grade for his Inventor class and he told me about Morrison. I joined Morrison in June of 2007 as an intern and worked full time throughout the summer. When school started back up, I continued at Morrison part-time as well as working full time at Purdue as a receptionist in the tutoring center, open lab math tutor, and a supplemental instructor for calculus, engineering, and Autodesk Inventor courses. I was also a grader for Autodesk Inventor courses. After I graduated in May 2008 with my Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, I began to work at Morrison full time.
Q: What are change parts and why do customers need them?
A: Change parts are more commonly known as stars and guides. Change parts give you the ability to change out the parts on a production line to fit a different size bottle, so production can be run on the existing line. There are two types of change parts: OEM style change parts and quick-change core parts.
Q: What is the difference between quick change core parts and OEM style change parts?
A: We retrofit the OEM style in a nondestructive manner to mount our quick-change core parts. The quick-change core parts are tool-less where the OEM style may not be. This makes the quick-change core parts much quicker, easier, and lighter to changeover.
Q: What are parts carts?
A: Parts carts are carts where you can store parts when they are not in use – for example production is running a different size container. Parts carts use shadow outlines on the boards to show where parts should be placed. They are designed to make it easy for the operators to quickly locate the parts they need and provide a place to store parts that are not being used. Our carts are also equipped with extra enclosed storage to accommodate any extra pieces that accompany your container handling sets.
Q: So essentially, they provide a safe place for storage?
A: Yes, and parts carts are also a great spot to wash the change parts, so they stay in one location.
Q: What is the process for ordering a set of change parts custom to a container?
A: First and foremost, always call your sales representative. They will have a conversation with you about how our expert change parts engineers can suit your needs directly for your specific system. This can be anywhere from the type of container, the application, project goals, or any challenges with the system that you would like to solve. Then a Morrison expert will come to your facility and get basic measurements and photos to give you a quote.
Later, a computerized measuring arm will be used to collect precise measurements and make sure all your specific needs are met. Our engineers will receive the measurements and create a digital mockup of a system. Then we will use one of your containers and ensure that it fits in the mockup. Once this is done all of the parts are manufactured and sent to your facility. A Morrison installation expert will be on site for a first-time installation to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Q: How easy are change parts to work with and what is the changeover time?
A: Because the quick-change core parts are tool-less, they are easy to work with. It can be as simple as sliding a guide and dropping a pin – turning the task of changeover into a one-person job. This can be done within 10 minutes. Without the quick-change option, they may require tools, so changeover can take about a half hour. Either way, the line is up and running quickly and production needs can be better met.
Q: Can I get replacement change parts?
A: Around here, Support Built In is a way of life. Our goal is to keep your packaging line up and running, maximizing your production. If your line goes down and needs a replacement change part, we can almost always have it in your hands within 24 hours, and sometimes within the same day. When you partner with Morrison, you’re receiving a partner invested in your efficiency.
Why Morrison?
Morrison Container Handling Solutions supports our customers. Our team of experts is prepared to tackle any needs as soon as possible. We know change parts are critical to your production time and output, so it’s our priority to get them designed precisely and installed quickly – always with our legendary Support Built In backing you, every step of the way.
Contact your Regional Sales Manager or call us today at 708-756-6660 to commit to great line efficiency from the container handling experts!
