TableTop PulseSealer is designed to be nearly maintenance-free. However there are a few things that need to be maintained.
Machine Cleaning. Important to make sure that machine is free of metal shavings. Metal shavings in the wrong place can create an electrical short. Remember that the TableTop PulseSealer is a high current application.
Heating Element Maintenance. TableTop PulseSealer uses nichrome Heating Elements. Similar to a toaster, Heating Elements expand when hot, and contract when cool. As the Heating Elements expand, pneumatically activated Rockers are used to keep tension on expanded Heating Elements. With continued use, the Heating Elements will contract less when cooled, thus creating excess. Rockers are used to keep tension on the excess. The Rocker subsystem consists of pneumatic cylinder and one-way clutch for infinite control/adjustment. The one-way clutch system provides for an easy way to maintain pressure without continually cutting back excess Heating Element. Click here for detailed instructions and video illustrating Heating Element Maintenance.
Teflon Coated Fiberglas. There are various types of Teflon Coated Fiberglas (TCF) used with the TableTop PulseSealer. (a) Zone Tape. Zone tape is primarily used between Heating Elements and materials to be welded, and act as a release agent. With continued use, the Zone tape will wear down the Teflon coating, and welded materials may tend to stick to the upper and/or lower sealing bars. When that happens, the Zone tape needs to be replaced. Contact Novaseal to reorder Zone tape. (b) Underlaying TCF tape is located between silicon rubber and Heating Element on the upper sealing bar. There is also an underlaying TCF tape strip on the lower sealing bar between aluminum lower sealing bar and Heating Element. These underlaying strips may need to be replaced once every 3 to 5 years. Whereas Zone tape may need to be replaced much more frequently depending on machine use.
Air Filter. Machine operates on electricity and compressed air. The quick disconnect air inlet is attached to an Air Filter. The purpose of the Air Filter is to remove and collect water from entering into our pneumatic pressure system. From time-to-time, or as needed, inspect the glass bulb for water content. If water is beginning to collect, remove it by first disconnecting compressed air, and then pressing water release valve located on the bottom of the Air Filter. If water collects frequently, consider removing water/moisture at the compressor level. Contact Novaseal for a timed water release valve that automatically removes moisture/water from your air compressor.
Heating Element Maintenance.
First of all, when is it necessary to maintain the Heating Element. To reduce incidence of Heating Element breakage, it is critically important to maintain air pressure tension on the Rockers, and to make sure that the Extension Rod is in the extended position. Below are two photos. In the photo on the left, the Extension Rod is in optimal position. A Good Condition is when the Extension Rod is extended. Partial extension is also Good. The photo on the right illustrates an Extension Rod that is no longer extended representing a BAD condition. Prolonged use (several seals) with Extension Rod not extended will lead to (a) sealing deformities; and (b) Heating Element breakage.
There are two reasons for this condition: (a) Heating Element extension without Rocker Maintenance; and/or (b) Heating Element breakage.
Rocker Rod End Maintenance. Keeping Good Rod Extension is quite easy, and requires just a few steps.
Keep a watchful eye on the extension. Any extension is good. No extension is bad. When extension is less than 1inch, begin Rocker Rod End Maintenance.
Rocker Rod End Maintenance. Start by turning Rocker Air Pressure OFF. This is done by switching Rocker Switch on the Control Panel (Upper Right Switch) to left or OFF position.
Remove Lexan protective casing to expose Rocker Assembly.
Using Allen Head screwdriver, locate and loosen Rocker Arm Clamp. Don’t remove screw. Just loosen it.
Gently rotate lower end of Rocker Clamp to extended position. If the Lexan washer moves, rotate it to straight.
Using Allen Head screwdriver, tighten Rocker Arm Clamp in new position.
Replace Lexan protective casing. That’s all there is to it!
>> Review steps in a video
Replacing Heating Elements. There are many methods to replace heating elements. If the zone tape is in pretty good condition, we suggest you use the splicing method. Click here for a video illustrating splice method for replacing heating elements on Lower Sealing Bar. Or for a video illustrating splice method for replacing heating elements on Upper Sealing Bar, click here.
