MAINTAINING TEFLON COATED FIBREGLAS (TCF)

Teflon Coated Fibreglas (TCF) is used for two basic reasons.  (1) electrical insulation; and (2) to assure heat sealed materials don’t stick (sealed) to the Heating Element.  TCF is a laminated material comprised of Teflon and Fibreglas.  The Teflon protects against sticking; and the Fibreglas is an insulator.  There are several different locations for application of TCF.  .  We use a heavier TCF tape to insulate the Heating Element from coming into contact with the Sealing Bar; and use a lighter TCF tape to assure the Heating Element doesn’t adhere to your materials.  Although both can be replaced, the more common maintenance is on the lightweight TCF tape. 

The lightweight TCF tape can be supplied in three ways ... (a) large sheets without adhesive; (b) 4-inch wide sheets with full adhesive; or (c) 4-inch wide sheets with zoned adhesive.  Large sheets without adhesive is the least costly method, however this method requires use of duct tape or comparable strong tape to hold material against the sealing bars.  Full adhesive or zoned adhesive is more expensive, however much easier to apply.  TCF is available from many sources such as McMaster Carr.  Novaseal provides TCF at a customer discount.  Click here for purchase information.

Replacing TCF:

• Why replace TCF
• Replacing TCF on Lower Sealing Bar
• Replacing TCF on Upper Sealing Bar

Why Replace TCF.  The Teflon coating of the TCF will wear.  As it wears, two things will happen:  (a) your material will tend to stick to the Sealing Bar.  Light sticking or tacking is normal; however when your material appears to have been somewhat welded to the bar, that isn’t normal;  (b) discoloration can form on your material.  Several reasons for discoloration, however one of them is worn Teflon.

Replacing TCF on Lower Sealing Bar is somewhat easier than replacing TCF on the Upper Sealing Bar.  Reason is that the PocketMaker Blade Assembly is somewhat close in proximity to the Upper Sealing Bar.  On machines without the PocketMaker Blade Assembly, replacing TCF on the Upper Sealing Bar is easier than replacing TCF on the Lowe Sealing Bar.

1. Keep Rocker air pressure ON when replacing TCF.
2. Remove existing TCF by peeling it off.  If you used full adhesive TCF tape, then carefully peel off TCF to assure that you do not affect the underlying Heating Elements.
3. When replacing TCF with zoned TCF, start by placing zoned TCF tape on the Lower Sealing Bar such that about 1-inch hangs over end, and the yellow backing material is facing down.  Unwind such that the entire Lower Sealing Bar is covered including an extra inch on the opposite end.  Cut the tape.
4. Make sure the TCF is balanced or even on both sides of the Lower Sealing Bar.  Equal material towards the front and towards the back.
5. Turn OFF the HEAT switch and POCKETMAKER on the Sealing Control Section.  Note the Red Indicator Lamps will be OFF.  Press the two START buttons to start the PRESS.  Upper Sealing Bar will come down and secure TCF tape in place.
6. Remove the yellow backing material from underneath the front edge, and apply evenly along the entire length of the Lower Sealing Bar.  Use a roller or flat tool to assure evenness.  Avoid wrinkles.  Wrinkles will adversely affect quality of the seal. 
7. With rear machine access, do the same thing from the rear of the machine in removing yellow backing and affixing TCF to rear of Lower Sealing Bar.  If you don’t have access to the rear of the machine, then press any one of the START buttons to release the PRESS.  The Upper Sealing Bar will return to its upper position.  Next reach through, remove the yellow backing material, and affix TCF alongside the rear of the Lower Sealing Bar.  Avoid wrinkles.  Wrinkles will adversely affect quality of the seal.

Replacing TCF on Upper Sealing Bar requires that the Blade Assembly needs to be relocated from a position next to the Upper Sealing Bar.  Instructions to replace TCF on Upper Sealing Bar follow:

1. Keep Rocker air pressure ON when replacing TCF.
2. Open each of the PocketMaker Access panels and remove the six Blade Depth Gages.
3. Make a note of the current Blade Regulator Pressure setting, then reset to zero.  Reseting it to zero will allow the Blade to drop to maximum position revealing the rear side of the Upper Sealing Bar.
4. Remove existing TCF tape.  Be careful not to disturb Heating Elements.
5. Start by removing one side of the zoned TCF tape yellow backing material and affixing the exposed side to the rear side of the Upper Sealing Bar.  When starting to affix the zoned TCF tape, begin about an inch past the end of the Upper Sealing Bar.  Using a hand roller or flat tool make sure the TCF Tape is adhered to the Upper Sealing Bar without wrinkles.  Wrinkles will adversely affect quality of the seal.
6. Remove yellow backing material from other side.
7. Wrap zoned TCF tape around Upper Sealing Bar and affix it to the front side of the Upper Sealing Bar.  Avoid wrinkles.  Wrinkles will adversely affect quality of the seal.
8. Reset Blade Regulator Pressure to prior setting.
9. Reinstall Blade Depth Gages.
10. Close each of the PocketMaker Access panels.