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SOP — Seamer Height Adjustment

FUERST WIACEK Version 1.2 | Packaging — canning line | Frequency: when switching between can formats

Purpose

The seamer height must be set for each can format. The target height values are written on the seamer. This procedure covers loosening the seamer, adjusting to the target height using the lifting device, and reinstalling the guide in the correct position for the format being run.

Current formats in use:

Format Can supplier
44 cl Ball
33 cl Ardagh

Equipment

  • Hex key (for seamer screws)
  • Maulschlüssel / open-ended spanner

Process

1. Set Up for Height Adjustment

  1. Place the seamer in Manual mode.

  2. Jog the seamer to a position where the piston is in the lifting position and the screw of the lower starwheel is facing you.

    Seamer in position — piston lifting

    Lower starwheel screw facing forward — this is the first screw to loosen

2. Loosen the Screws

Loosen three screws to free the seamer for height movement:

  1. Loosen the lower starwheel screw (the one now facing you — shown above).

  2. Loosen the two screws on the back of the seamer.

    Back screw 1

    Back screw 2

Do not fully remove any of these screws — loosen enough to allow movement.

3. Remove the Guide

  1. Remove the two screws holding the guide in place.

  2. Fully remove the guide and set it aside. You will reinstall it later in a format-specific position.

    Guide removed — set aside for reinstallation

4. Adjust Height

Use the lifting device to move the seamer up or down. The current height is displayed in the window on the seamer.

Height reading in the seamer window

Target heights:

Format Target height
44 cl (Ball) 149.4
33 cl (Ardagh) 114.5

Always stop in an upward movement

You must reach the target height by travelling upward and stopping in a single movement. Do not stop, restart, and stop again.

If you overshoot: go back down approximately 0.4 mm below target, then travel up and stop at the exact value in one continuous movement.

Wrong: Approach from below, stop short, then try to nudge up. If you do this, you must go back down ~0.4 mm and re-approach from below.

This rule exists because of mechanical backlash — the reading is only accurate when you arrive at the target from below in a single upward movement.

5. Lock the Screws

Once the seamer is at the correct height:

  1. Tighten the two back screws.
  2. Tighten the lower starwheel screw.

6. Reinstall the Guide

The guide position depends on the format being run.

33 cl (Ardagh):

Position the guide between the upper and lower starwheels, approximately 5 mm above the lower starwheel. Secure with both screws.

Guide position for 33 cl

44 cl (Ball):

Position the guide below the lower starwheel but above the piston — the guide must not contact the piston. Secure with both screws.

Guide position for 44 cl

Checklist

  • [ ] Seamer in Manual mode
  • [ ] Piston in lifting position, lower starwheel screw facing forward
  • [ ] Lower starwheel screw loosened
  • [ ] Both back screws loosened
  • [ ] Guide removed (both screws out, guide fully off)
  • [ ] Height adjusted — target reached by travelling upward and stopping (never nudged up from below)
  • [ ] Both back screws tightened
  • [ ] Lower starwheel screw tightened
  • [ ] Guide reinstalled in correct position for format (33 cl: between starwheels ~5 mm above lower; 44 cl: below lower starwheel, above piston, no piston contact)