HTPHow to PackageProduction answers by Lancing UK
Planning and improvement

How do I measure ATEX and hazardous areas accurately?

Practical guidance for ATEX and hazardous areas: separate true machine speed from waiting, handling, replenishment and short stops.

Answer format: direct explanation, ordered checks and relevant solution routes. . Application-specific engineering review is still required.

Direct answer

For ATEX and hazardous areas, measure sustained good output over a representative run rather than relying on the machine’s maximum cycle rate. Improvement starts with a clear definition, measured baseline and an agreed result that can be tested after the change. Start by count good packs over at least one representative production period and record a defined before-and-after metric supported by production records. Make one controlled change at a time so the original cause is not hidden by several new settings.

Production environment relevant to planning and improvement
Higher-risk application: Use competent engineering, product-safety and compliance support. Product data, site classification, ventilation, containment, hygiene and validation requirements may change the correct solution.

What usually causes this?

  • operators waiting to load, position or remove packs
  • A change in data definition and collection or operator and maintenance method.
  • the machine being starved by a small hopper, feeder or upstream process
  • The equipment or handling method not being set for classification and equipment requirements where explosive atmospheres may occur.
  • short stops and resets consuming more time than expected

Checks to make in order

  1. Count good packs over at least one representative production period
  2. Record a defined before-and-after metric supported by production records using a representative sample.
  3. Record running, starved, blocked and fault time separately
  4. Check product and format variation, machine condition and process capability and acceptance, risk and commercial criteria.
  5. Measure loading, replenishment and changeover time
  6. Identify the operation with the longest effective cycle
  7. Test one improvement and confirm the bottleneck moves

How to decide the next step

Atex and hazardous areas involves classification and equipment requirements where explosive atmospheres may occur. Increase speed only after the limiting step and the required buffer or operator method are clear.

If adjustment and maintenance cannot hold the required result across the complete product and pack range, compare the machinery route against a written acceptance test. The important comparison is sustained good output—not only maximum cycle speed.

What to include in your production brief

Supplying the information below makes it much easier to distinguish a setup problem from a machinery or packaging limitation:

  • Current baseline data
  • Affected products and formats
  • Cost or risk of the problem
  • Required future state
  • Site and compliance constraints
  • Acceptance test and owner
  • Samples that represent atex and hazardous areas
  • A short video of the current process and fault

Relevant solution websites

These specialist sites match the production process discussed above. Final suitability should be confirmed with samples, output, site and acceptance information.

ATEX Filling MachinesChemical FillersLancing UK Machinery

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Common search questions

Questions customers also ask

Open a question for a concise answer, then use the detailed guide above for the full production checks.

What should I check first for ATEX and hazardous areas?

Count good packs over at least one representative production period

What commonly causes this problem with ATEX and hazardous areas?

Common causes include operators waiting to load, position or remove packs; A change in data definition and collection or operator and maintenance method.; the machine being starved by a small hopper, feeder or upstream process.

How can I prove that an adjustment has worked for ATEX and hazardous areas?

Record a representative baseline, change one variable at a time and repeat the same measurement over enough packs to show that the result is stable rather than a one-off improvement.

When should I consider a different machine or production method for ATEX and hazardous areas?

Consider a different route when correct setup and maintenance cannot hold the required quality and sustained output across the complete product and pack range.

What information should I send before asking for a solution for ATEX and hazardous areas?

Include Current baseline data; Affected products and formats; Cost or risk of the problem; Required future state.

Which solution website is most relevant to this question?

The clearest starting point on this page is ATEX Filling Machines. Final suitability still needs to be confirmed using the actual product, packaging, output and site information.