はじめに

When setting up a PU footwear factory, one of the standard questions asked is a simple one: how long does a PU shoe machine last?

For factory owners and investors alike, this is not merely a technical question; it is also tied up with return on investment, with being able to plan maintenance scheduling more accurately and assuring long term production stability.

Whether it be PU twin density safety show production line or setting about building a new cleaner PU shoe factory from the ground up, knowledge of how long a PU shoe machine may last for will lead to better/more informed choices from the start.

In practice, PU shoe machine is not something with an inbuilt shelf life, but its service life depends on firstly how it was made, secondly how it is used, and thirdly its care in terms of service throughout its operational lifetime.

What Effects the service life of a PU shoe machine

The typical PU shoe machine worth its salt will run happily through a good 8 – 15 years or even more, but this length of period depends on conditions.

First is the matter of the quality of the PU shoe machine itself. Equipment from an established PU machine manufacturer, using stable components and properly thought out system design, will produce items with better service life as such.

Frame structure, quality of electricals componentry and reliability of mixing system variable, all go into the mix for service life.

Second – tipping the balance. Another of the prime determinants of service life. A machine producing 24 hours of the day – and whose owners want to run it even harder! – is going to be the worst for wear on account of all that running than one which is more leisurely producing.

Rotary PU shoe moulding machines in the great, output oriented factories are sometimes run 24 hours a day, from being loaded to the tumbling off the production line, on the outmoded principle of day and night shift working. Machines are designed for such runability, but as much as possible, even so more churn on mechanical and hydraulic parts takes its toll.

Polyurethane raw materials can also vary; a poor-quality material can lead to buildup in the mixing head and pipelines that requires cleaning or even leads to an early failure of the machine, and so on.

Then comes maintenance. You may be surprised at how much a simple maintenance schedule can prolong the machine service life. When maintenance is neglected, however, the risk of failure grows ever larger even in a good machine!

Key Components That Shorten The Service Life

Not all of the components in a PU shoe machine wear equally fast. Some are designed for long service life, while others need replacing at regular intervals.

First comes the mixing head, where the various components of the polyurethane are blended. Exposed to pressure and heat, as well as to chemical reaction, the mixing head wears more quickly than you might think — but with decent care you should expect service life of several years. On the other hand, it’s also one of the most serviced parts of a PU shoe machine.

Next comes the ‘metering’, as it is called, i.e., the pumps and valves that affect how accurately the machine doses the various components of the PU mix. As you may have guessed, if these parts go wrong, it’s almost certainly going to show in the ‘dosage accuracy’ of the final products that your shoe making machines are churning out by the minute.

The control system itself, often by use of a PLC, may have a fairly long service life, but you will want to give it upgrades every couple of years anyway to keep pace with automation requirements.

Last of the major components of each PU shoe machine and oldest member in the role of requiring less maintenance, the manifold; the rotary table, mould carriers and frames that the moulds rest on, are all usually designed to last the entire service life of the machine!

Ways To Extend The Life Of Your PU Shoe Machine

Extending the life of your PU shoe machine is not at all difficult if you will be consistent.

Routine cleaning is also important—tend to the mixing head and all related pipelines. If allowed to dry and harden, even the softest set compounds might stick harder than cement at the base of nozzles and in other areas, making blockages.

Scheduled maintenance should always be adhered to; make sure to inspect seals regularly, and lubricate moving parts. Take a look at the hydraulic side of things too as a final check, at least once a week.

Operator training is important, too; typically even the most seasoned machine expert would stray from the path if uniforms had no correct fit solvent or if there was no sew line for bubble and ripped bags or any and all sorts of basic screw-up in the packaging and manufacturing line.

The rarer the components, the cleaner the flow-through; be a bit picky regarding those mixing heads. The less sloppy the material and methods, the longer these threads and collars will last.

Of course if the parts you’re using now are already dated, and your machine, too ancient, retrofitting may be an option. Replacing the control center and switching out the zeroed in rig may squeak out more years of sweat from that horse, and save you triple the upfront cost of building a new barn.

When to replace or upgrade

Truly if your system seems to need more patching than updating, outdated, it may truly be time for a refurb. However if the equine bones are fine, and only the exosphere takes a bit of fresh paint, you might merely have a cockle picked on the Farm.

The if factor. There comes a point where family OS pods turn to bitter acrid tables first, ugly disappointing, disgracing, toxic candy beans, and grinding slows to nil without some icing on the burgeon.

Stick with the partial partial upgrades, and overall system to wean yourself to being the machine’s new improved offspring or bestfriend, parting with it only when you really outgrow fit, like that awful honeymoon, taking on your erstwhile nut – or is that when it began to rot? and die? Get it out, quick! Flush! Flushpartycake! Just keep tinkering until all parts equal 100% contribution at 71% average.

FAQ

How long does a PU shoe machine last?

A PU shoe machine typically lasts between eight and fifteen years but good usage and maintenance can be sure its use-able for a long-term timespan.

What affects ‘gain-beat’ the most?

Machine quality and maintenance are most important. Another contributory to using the hell out of it! – ‘Come visit the residue’ in bygone grime-mouthed filth.

Can a PU shoe machine be upgraded?

Many of the older, existing machines can and gladly are(sudo, cudo; – we can build from scratchcorecandidates too).