Written by
Carolina Herrera
Marketing Department
Details
Carolina Herrera

In the highly demanding world of rigid packaging, equipment durability is both a promise and a challenge. While bottle unscramblers and orienters that operate reliably for more than 25 years are a strong asset, ensuring consistent performance over decades requires more than robust engineering: it demands a global service strategy that evolves with the machine, the packaging market, and the people who run them.

The Hidden Complexity of Long-Term Machinery Performance Packaging machines that last decades inevitably face several operational and technological shifts:

1. Obsolete Components

Electronic boards, sensors, and mechanical parts from the early 2000s are no longer in production. Replacing them requires:

  • Cross-compatibility expertise
  • Access to legacy part inventories
  • Tailored retrofit kits

2. Changing Bottle Designs

Markets evolve. So do bottle shapes, sizes, and materials. A bottle unscrambler from 1999 must adapt to:

  • Lighter PET formats
  • More complex geometries
  • Sustainable packaging initiatives This means designing and installing new format parts that align with both the machine's architecture and the latest container standards.

3. Workforce Turnover

As experienced operators retire, valuable know-how disappears. New personnel need intuitive systems:

  • Simplified HMIs and visual controls
  • Remote diagnostics and video guides
  • Ongoing training and tech support

Global Support: A Strategic Investment A worldwide service infrastructure ensures:

  • Rapid parts delivery anywhere in the world
  • Local technicians trained on legacy and current POSIMAT systems
  • Predictive maintenance programs to avoid downtime
  • Upgrades that extend machine relevance another decade or more

Case Example: A High-Speed Bottle Unscrambler in North America

A POSIMAT rotary unscrambler installed in 1998 in a major U.S. beverage plant was modernized in 2023. The project included:

  • PLC, electrical cabinet, and major design upgrade to Industry 4.0 standards
  • New bottle format kits for lightweight bottles
  • Operator training in English and Spanish Thanks to POSIMAT's USA service network, the machine remains one of the fastest in the line, 26 years later.

Conclusion

Long equipment life is a testament to good design. But without global support and lifetime service, even the best machines risk becoming obsolete. Ensure your bottle unscrambler or orienter evolves with your business.