Relocating and Reinstalling Machinery

Can You Move It Yourself?

It depends on the size and complexity of the machine:

• Small tabletop machines: For example, a tabletop forming machine is not heavy and has no complex piping, so it can usually be moved in-house; just secure it and protect it from impacts and moisture.
• Medium and large equipment: Encrusting machines, bun machines, blast freezers, and complete lines are heavy, have a high center of gravity, and involve wiring, piping, and precision mechanisms. Leave these to the equipment maker or a professional machinery moving team.

The most common problems when moving machines yourself: tilting or impacts that deform mechanisms, precision parts knocked out of position, wires pulled loose, rust from moisture in transit, and workers getting crushed. Follow the equipment maker's data for weights and lifting points; don't guess.

For relocation of Dong-Yih models, please call 06-257-4644.

Preparing for the Move

1. Clean and dry thoroughly: As with long-term storage, leave no residue or moisture; see Shutdowns and Long Idle Periods: How to Store and Restart a Machine.
2. Photograph and record: Photograph the machine's wiring, piping, part positions, and settings screens; if the controller's parameters can be exported, back them up first.
3. Disconnect power, air, and water: Have qualified electrical personnel remove the wiring and lock out/tag out. Article 276 of the Occupational Safety and Health Facilities Regulations (職業安全衛生設施規則) states that installation, maintenance, and servicing of a plant's electrical equipment may only be carried out by qualified electrical technicians.
4. Remove fragile parts: Pack and label the hopper, nozzles, molds, sensors, and so on separately.
5. Secure moving parts: Use the manufacturer's shipping restraints or straps to secure mechanisms that could move.
6. Confirm the new location: Check whether floor load capacity, the width and height of the access route, power (voltage, phases, capacity), compressed air, and water supply and drainage are ready. See utilities such as compressed air, steam, and cooling water.

During the Move

• Use a suitable forklift, hydraulic pallet truck, or crane, and work with the designated lifting points and center of gravity.
• Lifting operations must be carried out by qualified personnel, and no one may enter the work area.
• Avoid tilting, heavy vibration, and rain during transport.
• For long-distance transport, use waterproof packaging and secure the load firmly on the vehicle.

Installation at the New Location

1. Position and level: Adjust the machine feet with a spirit level so the machine is level. An unlevel machine causes conveyor mistracking, uneven filling flow, and more vibration.
2. Anchor: Anchor machines that need it according to the manufacturer's method to prevent them from shifting during operation. Article 42 of the Occupational Safety and Health Facilities Regulations reminds that machinery installation must be planned in advance and that vibration forces must not exceed the safe load capacity of the building design.
3. Wiring and grounding: Have qualified electrical personnel connect the wiring and confirm voltage, phases, rotation direction (a three-phase motor wired incorrectly will run backward), and grounding.
4. Piping: Reconnect compressed air, water supply, drainage, and steam to specification and check for leaks.
5. Reinstall parts: Put parts back according to the photos and records made before the move, and count them.
6. Safety devices: Restore and test all guards, emergency stops, and interlock switches.
7. Workflow and hygiene: The new location must follow the layout for separating raw materials from finished products and leave space for cleaning.

Does It Need Recalibrating After the Move?

It usually needs checking, and recalibrating if necessary:

• Mechanism timing and clearances: Vibration during transport may shift the timing and clearances of the forming and cutting mechanisms.
• Weight: Re-test and confirm portioning and encrusting weights.
• Sensors: Position and counting sensors may need readjustment.
• Scales and temperature equipment: Electronic scales must be recalibrated after being moved; temperature displays on refrigeration and freezing equipment should be rechecked against a reference.
• Metal detectors: After being moved, they must be reset and tested, using test pieces to confirm sensitivity.

Finally, run the machine empty and do a small trial run; resume full production only after confirming normal quality and recording the results.

FAQ

Q: Can we move the machine ourselves?
A: Small tabletop machines usually yes; medium and large equipment involves lifting, wiring, and precision mechanisms and is best left to the equipment maker or a professional moving team.

Q: Does it need recalibrating after the move?
A: Check mechanism timing, weight, and sensors; electronic scales and metal detectors must be recalibrated and tested, followed by a small trial run.

Q: Why does a three-phase machine run backward after a move?
A: If the phase sequence of the three-phase supply is reversed, the motor runs backward. Have an electrician correct the wiring.

Q: What should be prepared before the move?
A: Clean and dry the machine, photograph the wiring and parts, back up parameters, disconnect power, air, and water, secure moving parts, and confirm the new location's floor load capacity and utilities.