Within every industry, there are misconceptions, aka myths, that need to be addressed to ensure best practices. Due to its complexity, seaming and can seam inspection are often misunderstood, leading to avoidable quality issues. Here we will address 3 myths to help you elevate and improve your canning processes and double seam integrity.
Myth 1: All Cans & Lids are the same
Two cans may both be labeled as size 200, but that doesn’t guarantee they are identical. Often, different manufacturers require unique tooling to achieve a proper, airtight seal. Due to manufacturer variations, cans of the same size can have different seam measurement specifications. This is especially true when pairing cans and lids from different manufacturers.
This is why conducting can seam inspections is crucial to the canning process. Comprehensive inspections will provide the confidence that your seaming equipment is creating seams that meet hermetic standards. While visual inspections can typically identify most defects, conducting comprehensive, destructive double seam inspections will ensure defects that may be missed by the naked eye are caught.
Myth 2: Once a Seamer is set up, it stays in spec indefinitely
Seamer maintenance can easily be overlooked or neglected. However, like any machine, can seamers require regular maintenance to stay within specification. Seamers have multiple moving parts that make repeated metal-to-metal contact. Over time, this repeated contact leads to wear that can compromise seam quality. Proper, regularly scheduled maintenance of your can seamer will minimize potential risks to your product. Always consult the manufacturer’s manual for detailed seamer maintenance guidelines. Additionally, third-party providers such as our partners at RSS Maclin offer specialized training, maintenance, and support services.
Integrating double seam inspections within your quality control program will give you added information to predict and pinpoint areas of concern. By identifying whether an issue stems from work or misaligned equipment, you can take proactive action before it affects production, protecting both your product and your reputation.
Myth 3: Only Large Companies can afford double seam technology
This is one of the most persistent misconceptions in the industry. Today, double seam technology is more affordable and accessible than ever. The belief that the canning process is overly complex or prohibitively expensive simply isn’t true. A small canning line with low automation can start at under $30,000. In addition, modern seamers are built with minimal maintenance requirements, are designed to be user-friendly, and deliver long-term cost savings for businesses of any size.
This also applies to can seam inspection technology. OneVision offers options like the Manual Teardown Kit, the Portable Beverage System, and various SeamMate System bundles which are designed to fit budgets of all sizes. With over 30 years of experience and lifetime technical assistance included with OneVision systems, you can rest assured that investing in can seam inspection equipment is a smart and affordable decision.
The Bottom Line
Misconceptions about can seamers and seam inspection technology can lead to poor decisions that affect product quality. Whether your business is just starting to can, or you’re experiencing growth and need to expand your quality control program, now is the time to consider investing in can seam inspection solutions. Also, remember to know your can and lid manufacturer specifications and follow a regular seamer maintenance program.
