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Blown Film Machine Four-Stage Maintenance

1. Introducing 

Your blown film machine runs at high temperatures under continuous mechanical stress. Without regular care, small problems grow into expensive breakdowns. Downtime means lost production hours, wasted raw material, and delayed customer orders.

This guide applies to both 1300 PE double winding machines (single‑layer, dual‑shaft winder) and ABA co‑extrusion blown film machines (two extruders, three‑layer A‑B‑A structure). Follow the daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly tasks described here. You will produce better film, reduce waste and protect your investment.

Planned Maintenance Schedule

2. Maintenance Frequency Summary

Maintenance TypeTime RequiredKey Focus
Daily10–15 minVisual inspection, die head cleaning, heater check, screw purge
Weekly30–60 min

Lubrication, screw/barrel wear,

belt tension, air ring cleaning

Monthly2–3 hours

Sensor calibration,

screen pack change,

die head inspection, gearbox oil

AnnualFull day

Major overhaul, screw/barrel removal,

gearbox inspection

3. Daily Maintenance (10–15 minutes per shift)

Do these tasks at the start or end of each shift. They take little time but prevent most everyday issues.

1
Visual inspection before startup
Walk around the machine. Look for loose bolts, oil leaks, worn belts or damaged hoses. Ensure all safety covers are in place.
2
Clean the die head and air ring
Use a soft brass brush to remove resin buildup from the die lip. Wipe the air ring passages clean. Residue causes uneven film thickness and bubble instability.
3
Check the heating system
Verify all heating bands work. Look at temperature readings on the control panel. If any zone stays cold or overheats, stop and investigate. Uneven heating creates gel spots (fisheyes) on the film.
4
Inspect the extruder screw and barrel
After each production run, purge residual plastic using a cleaning compound. Watch the pressure gauge and motor current. Sudden changes may indicate blockages.
5
Examine electrical connections
Look for loose wires or signs of overheating on the control panel and terminal boxes. Tighten any loose connections.
6
End‑of‑shift cleaning
Turn on the cooling fan and wait for temperature to drop before final shutdown. Clean the die, screw and air ring to prevent resin carbonization.
7
Why daily cleaning is essential
Melted plastic leaves residues inside the machine. If you do not clean daily, residues harden into charred deposits that cause gel spots, streaks and film defects.

4. Weekly Maintenance (30–60 minutes)

Weekly tasks go deeper. You inspect parts that wear gradually and adjust components that affect film quality.

1
Lubricate moving parts
Add recommended oil to gears, bearings, chains and the gearbox.
2
Do not over‑lubricate
Excess oil attracts dust. For most blown film machines, add 6# engine oil every two operating days.
3
Check screw and barrel wear
Look at the screw surface for scratches or depressions. Feel the barrel inner wall for smoothness. Worn screws cause inconsistent melting and uneven film thickness.
4
Inspect heating coil joints
Tighten any loose connections on heater bands. Loose joints cause local overheating, leading to fisheyes.
5
Clean the feed hopper
Remove accumulated dust and plastic particles from the hopper and auger. This ensures consistent material flow for uniform thickness.
6
Examine drive belts and chains
Check belt tension. A loose belt slips and reduces power. An overly tight belt stresses bearings. Adjust the belt tensioner as needed. Inspect chains for proper lubrication.
7
Check air ring operation
Clean air outlets and internal ducts. Use your hand to feel if airflow is even around the bubble circumference. Uneven cooling makes the bubble wobble and causes gauge variation.

5. Monthly Maintenance (2–3 hours)

Monthly tasks focus on calibration and inspection of core components.

1
Clean or replace screen packs
Remove the screen changer and inspect the screens. Replace them if they are clogged or damaged. Clogged screens restrict plastic flow and cause poor film quality.
2
Inspect the die head completely
Check all components for wear and misalignment. Verify that heater rings work properly. Tighten any loose bolts. This prevents leakage and ensures uniform melt distribution.
3
Clean the electrical cabinet
Use compressed air to remove dust from the control cabinet, circuit boards and components. Dust buildup can cause overheating and intermittent electrical faults.
4
Check gearbox oil condition
Look at the oil for metal particles or water contamination. If the oil is dirty, replace it. Low or contaminated oil shortens gearbox life.
5
Inspect corona treater (if equipped)
Clean the high‑voltage transformer, discharge roller, discharge rack and control box. Adjust the discharge gap. Replace the silicone tube when needed. This ensures consistent surface treatment for printability.
6
For ABA machines
You have two extruders. Repeat screw, barrel and screen pack checks on both extruders. Ensure synchronization parameters between the two screws remain within factory specifications.

6. Annual Major Overhaul (Full day)

Once a year, fully disassemble major components for thorough cleaning and hidden damage inspection.

  • Remove the screw and barrel. Check for hard‑to‑see cracks, scoring or uneven wear.
  • Inspect the gearbox internally. Replace bearings and seals as needed.
  • Check the winder shafts for runout.
  • Replace aged heater bands and thermocouples.
  • Plan this overhaul during scheduled downtime or holiday breaks.
  • A thorough annual overhaul can extend total machine lifespan to 10–15 years or more.

7. Common Film Defects and Prevention

DefectLikely CausePreventive Maintenance Task
Uneven thicknessAir ring imbalance or die lip contamination

Daily air ring cleaning;

weekly airflow check

Gel spots (fisheyes)

Residue in screw or die head;

clogged screen pack

Daily screw purge;

monthly screen pack replacement

Film breaks or tears

Worn die head;

uneven roller pressure

Monthly die head inspection;

weekly roller alignment

Poor transparencyBarrel or die temperature too low

Daily temperature monitoring;

monthly sensor calibration

Wrinkles on filmMisaligned rollers or poor winding tension

Quarterly alignment;

monthly winder check

Bubble wobbleUneven air flow from air ring

Weekly air ring cleaning;

check for air leaks

Rough surface

Die lip contamination;

low extruder temperature

Daily die cleaning;

verify all heating zones work

How Proper Maintenance Benefits Your Business

8. How Proper Maintenance Benefits Your Business

A well‑maintained blown film machine keeps your business profitable in three ways:

Consistent film quality

Your customers receive uniform product batch after batch. No uneven thickness, rough surfaces or fisheyes.

Less downtime

Preventive maintenance cuts unplanned stops significantly. You meet delivery dates reliably.

Lower operating costs

Clean heating bands, calibrated sensors and proper lubrication reduce electricity use and wear.

9. Related Resources

Discover our equipment:

Keep learning:

 * This maintenance guide applies to 1300 PE double winding blown film machines and ABA co‑extrusion blown film machines. For other models, consult your machine manual or contact our support team。

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