When packaging and automation equipment grinds to a halt, your productivity – and profitability – can take a serious hit. That’s where Arnold Automation’s Service and Repair Division comes in.
As the Mid-Atlantic region’s most trusted name in industrial equipment support, Arnold Automation provides expert repair, preventative maintenance, and technical support for the machines that keep your operation running.
Packaging Equipment Problems Are More Expensive Than You Think
When packaging equipment starts acting up, the symptoms often seem minor – a sporadic jam, a crooked tape line, or a machine that takes an extra second to complete a cycle. But small inefficiencies quickly turn into major costs across labor, throughput, material waste, product damage, and customer satisfaction.
Whether you run a manufacturing plant, distribution center, or high-volume e-commerce operation, equipment performance directly impacts profitability. If you recognize any of the warning signs below, it may be time to call a professional service technician before a small issue becomes a full outage.
1. Your Machine Is Running Slower Than Normal
Gradual slowdowns are easy to miss, but they are among the biggest indicators that your packaging equipment needs attention.
Common problems include:
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Worn or slipping belts
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Dirty or misaligned sensors
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Air pressure inconsistencies
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Failing motors or bearings
Reduced speed affects every unit that leaves your facility – adding hours of labor and delaying shipments. If operators have begun compensating for slow cycle times, you are already losing money.
2. Seals, Wraps, or Straps Are No Longer Consistent
A packaging machine that produces inconsistent results is costing you more than time – it is creating product damage, returns, and customer complaints.
You may notice:
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Tape that does not adhere or aligns off-center
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Shrink film that creates holes or loose seals
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Straps that are too loose, too tight, or break under tension
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Boxes that arrive damaged due to unstable loads
These issues often point to mechanical wear, sensor problems, or tensioning components that need recalibration.
3. You Are Experiencing Frequent Jams and Misfeeds
If your packaging line pauses repeatedly due to jams, misfeeds, or misaligned materials, the ripple effect can disrupt an entire production schedule.
Frequent causes include:
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Worn rollers
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Dirty guides
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Misaligned tracks
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Weak photocells
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Old firmware in automated machines
What may start as a quick reset becomes an ongoing drain on labor and production efficiency. A service technician can identify and repair root causes quickly.
4. Operators Are Creating Workarounds to Keep the Line Moving
One of the clearest signs of equipment trouble is when operators develop their own fixes – tapping a sensor, adjusting boxes manually, double-taping, or re-feeding materials to get a clean seal.
While these workarounds might buy time, they:
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Reduce overall productivity
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Create unsafe working conditions
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Lead to inconsistent packaging quality
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Mask underlying mechanical failures
If your team is improvising to keep equipment running, it is time to schedule a service call.
5. Your Maintenance Team Is Overwhelmed or Lacks OEM Expertise
Most in-house maintenance teams are spread thin, and while they excel at general mechanical tasks, packaging equipment requires specialized training.
Common limitations include:
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Lack of documentation for older machines
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No access to OEM calibration specs
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Limited electrical or automation knowledge
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Inability to run advanced diagnostics
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Trouble sourcing parts quickly
If your team is spending too much time troubleshooting without results, outside expertise can save both time and money.
When You Should Call a Service Technician
If you experience any of the signs above – slowdowns, jams, inconsistent sealing, operator workarounds, or maintenance bottlenecks – the safest move is to schedule an expert inspection.
Early intervention helps you:
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Prevent unexpected downtime
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Extend equipment lifespan
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Maintain consistency and quality
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Reduce labor costs
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Avoid expensive emergency repairs
How Arnold Automation Keeps Your Packaging Line Running
Arnold Automation’s certified Service & Repair Team works on all major packaging equipment brands and models. Our technicians provide:
✔ Rapid-response troubleshooting
Local to Maryland, D.C., Virginia, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.
✔ Full equipment diagnostics and repair
We pinpoint the root cause – not just the symptom.
✔ Preventive maintenance programs
Customized schedules that reduce costly breakdowns.
✔ Parts sourcing and installation
Belts, sensors, motors, boards, PLC components, and more.
✔ Integration knowledge across packaging lines
Case erectors, tapers, stretch wrappers, strappers, shrink equipment, conveyors, robotic cells, and more.
Keep Downtime from Causing Lost Revenue
If you are seeing any of these signs, your packaging equipment may already be costing you more than you realize.
The Arnold Automation Service & Repair Team can keep you up and running with minimal downtime.
👉 Call 855-276-6537
👉 Complete a quick contact form
Malcolm Moore
Director of Service
Arnold Automation
Protecting Your Product & Your Profit
