04.06.2025 / Antonio Rodriguez

Service Now - So No Surprises Later!

How many times have you looked at a service invoice and thought, “Why is this so expensive?” And, then wonder what you could’ve done differently.

The answer, though simple, is typically hard to do: Find the time to act before it’s absolutely necessary.

There’s a saying I always share with customers: “If you don’t make time for your machine, the machine will make time for itself.” And, I might add, usually at the worst possible moment!

I get it—our world is fast-paced, and time is tight. But let me ask you: Do you regularly service your car—oil changes, fluids, filters? I’d wager most of you would say “Yes.” And that’s for a machine that loses value the moment you drive it off the lot! So why not take the same care of equipment that actually makes you money?

In my 30+ years of service, I’ve learned that sometimes the smallest tasks can have the biggest impact. Here are three easy, yet powerful steps you can take to improve a machine’s longevity and performance:

1. Change Air Filters. Clean air filters reduce internal heat and keep dust away from contactors. That helps prevent overheating, component failure, and false signals. One big ask: Never blow out an electrical cabinet with compressed air—only vacuum! Blowing air just forces dust deeper into sensitive components, which is exactly what air filters are there to prevent.

2. Change Oil. As gears move and parts work, oil naturally picks up dust, fine metal particles, and eventually breaks down. Old oil causes friction, gear wear, and overheating—all of which spiral into more issues. Regular oil changes keep things moving smoothly and extend gear life. And in turn, extends equipment life.

3. Keep Internal Housings Clean. Paper scraps and dust accumulate in voids and beneath guards. This buildup restricts airflow and traps heat as the dust and paper scraps settle into gear teeth, wearing them unevenly and accelerating corrosion. The paper scraps can also lead to paper jams that stress shafts and components—turning a simple cleanup into an emergency repair.

These three small steps go a long way toward keeping your equipment running efficiently, minimizing downtime and repair costs, and—most importantly—protecting your bottom line.

And, if you’re ready to prioritize maintenance but don’t have the personnel or an in-house team, Muller Martini offers two great solutions to support you and your machines:

MMInspect With this option, an experienced Muller Martini service engineer will inspect your line, take detailed photos of any trouble areas, and provide a comprehensive report. The report includes the current condition of your machine, a list of recommended replacement parts, and prioritized guidance on what needs immediate attention versus what can wait. You’ll also receive a discount on parts listed in the report.

MMSelect with MMSelect, one of our service engineers will step in like your very own maintenance department—performing service, upkeep, and preventive maintenance to keep your machine running smoothly. Whether you need help tackling a larger repair or just have a hit list of items to address, MMSelect can be a more cost-effective option than making a reactive service call.

And remember: Maintaining your machine isn’t so different from maintaining your car. As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
04.06.2025 Antonio Rodriguez Service and Support Manager, Muller Martini Region North America