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Material Compatibility: Choosing Equipment That Lasts Material compatibility is one of the most important factors in equipment performance. The wrong choice can lead to premature wear, more maintenance, and unnecessary downtime. At Laub\Hunt Packaging Systems, we consider product chemistry, cleaning requirements, and operating conditions early in the design process so our customers receive equipment with long-term reliability. Why Material Choice Matters Every product places different demands on a filling system . Corrosive formulations, abrasive materials, temperature variation, and washdown exposure all affect how equipment performs over time. Stainless steel is the choice for many applications because of its durability and cleanability, while titanium, PVC, and specialty materials can be appropriate in more demanding environments. The best material is the one that performs well for all needed applications, for the full life of the production line. We view material selection as part of the design strategy for reliability and durability, not just a specification detail. When the equipment is built for the product and the plant environment, you see consistent performance and fewer maintenance disruptions. Where Stainless Steel Fits Stainless steel remains a common choice across liquid filling applications because it offers a strong balance of strength, hygiene, and service life. For many food and beverage, personal care, and household product lines, it provides the durability and cleanability needed for day-to-day production. It also supports sanitation practices that matter in regulated environments. At the same time, stainless steel is not the answer for every contact point or operating condition. Product chemistry, cleaning agents, and process temperatures all influence how the equipment will hold up. We evaluate those conditions carefully so the line is designed for the application, not just the product category. When Specialty Materials are Appropriate Some applications call for materials beyond standard stainless steel. Titanium may be appropriate where corrosion resistance is critical, while PVC or other specialty polymers can be useful in selected chemical filling environments. The key is understanding where the material will be used, what it will contact, and how often the system will be cleaned or exposed to harsh conditions. We encourage engineers and plant managers to look at the full operating environment before making a final decision. A material that performs well in one part of the line may not be the best choice elsewhere. Our engineering approach is to match each component to the conditions it will face, with a focus on service life and dependable operation. Maintenance and Uptime Material compatibility has a direct effect on maintenance. When components are exposed to incompatible products or cleaning agents, wear can develop faster and repairs become more frequent. Over time, that leads to more interruptions and less predictable production output. A well-matched material package can reduce those risks. It can support easier cleaning, better corrosion resistance, and longer intervals between parts replacement. For plant teams, that creates a more stable operating environment and a more manageable maintenance schedule. Supporting Product Integrity In food, beverage, personal care, and chemical applications, material choice also supports product integrity. Equipment surfaces and contact materials must perform consistently while helping protect the quality of the product being run. That’s why we place a strong emphasis on cleanability, compatibility, and durability. Regulatory requirements and customer standards continue to make this area more important. Plants that take material selection seriously are better positioned to maintain quality, reduce risk, and keep production moving. We see material compatibility as a practical decision with clear operational benefits. Our Approach At Laub\Hunt, we design liquid filling systems with these considerations in mind from the outset. Our goal is to help customers choose equipment that fits the product, the process, and the production line. That approach supports reliability, extends equipment life, and helps reduce unplanned downtime. We work with customers in the bleach, pool / spa, household products, industrial chemicals, food and beverage, personal care, and automotive industries. In every case, our focus is on building systems that are durable, maintainable, and appropriate for the job. Contact us for more information.

FAQs - The 15 Quality Assurance Checks Every Machine Must Pass Before Shipment - Part 3 Frequently Asked Questions What is a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT)? A FAT is a structured, pre‑shipment validation where the machine is tested against performance, safety, and functional requirements—often witnessed by the customer. It confirms the machine is ready before it leaves the factory. Why is lubrication verification done before shipment? Proper lubrication prevents premature wear, overheating, and accuracy issues. Verifying it at the factory ensures all critical components are protected from the first startup. What is the purpose of the wet test? The wet test runs the machine with water to confirm the entire product path is leak‑free and functioning correctly under realistic conditions, reducing contamination and cleanup risks later. Why perform a detergent or “suds” test? Foaming and chemically aggressive products behave differently than water. This test ensures the machine can handle foam, corrosion risk, and level control under real application conditions. How do alignment checks impact performance? Precise alignment of stars, guides, and valves ensures smooth bottle transfer, prevents jams, and maintains consistent fill accuracy across all containers. What safety features are verified before shipment? Technicians test interlocks, limit switches, emergency stops, guarding, and jam detection systems to ensure the machine operates safely and complies with applicable standards. Why is long‑run testing necessary? Extended operation reveals issues like heat buildup, abnormal wear, or noise that short tests cannot detect, improving reliability from day one. What happens if an issue is found during QA checks? The issue is corrected and the affected system is re‑tested before the machine is approved for shipment, ensuring no unresolved problems reach the customer. What documentation is included with the machine? Customers receive operation and maintenance manuals, lubrication guidance, spare parts lists, and recorded factory settings to support installation and ongoing use. How do these QA checks benefit installation and startup? They reduce debugging time, prevent early failures, and provide a stable baseline so the machine can reach full production faster. Are these checks aligned with industry standards? Yes. The process reflects modern practices informed by standards such as ANSI/PMMI B155.1, OSHA requirements, and hygienic design guidelines. Can customers witness the QA or FAT process? In many cases, yes. Customers may attend or review FAT results to verify the machine meets their specifications before shipment. Contact us for more information. Check out part 1 and part 2 of this blog series.

For bleach, detergents, and other foaming or chemically aggressive products, a dedicated suds test is performed to simulate actual operating conditions.

Before any liquid filler leaves our facility, it must pass a structured series of 15 quality assurance checks that cover lubrication, mechanical alignment, leak integrity, safety, hygiene, and long‑run performance.

What Happens During Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) Stages 5 - 7 Stage 5: Surface Finish, Coatings, and Safety Coatings and Finishes FAT also includes a review of protective coatings and surface finishes, important for both corrosion resistance and cleanability. Checks include: ● Confirming two coats of chlorinated rubber paint or equivalent on all iron surfaces where specified, especially for bleach and detergent applications. ● Ensuring no paint on any thread surfaces or leveling screws so adjustments remain possible. ● Verifying that brass wearing surfaces on sliders are not being scraped and are correctly aligned. These guidelines emphasize the importance of appropriate coatings and cleanable surfaces, particularly for food, beverage, and aggressive chemical products. Laub\Hunt’s attention to such details at FAT ensures long‑term durability and sanitation. Safety Devices and Nameplate As part of FAT, Laub\Hunt verifies: ● Presence and function of limit switches at the infeed star and on the infeed conveyor. ● Availability and accessibility of grease fittings and other routine‑maintenance points. ● Correct, legible nameplate data (model, serial, ratings), which customers will use for documentation and future parts orders. Best practices call for safety verification (guards, interlocks, e‑stops) and accurate identification plates as prerequisites for shipment. Laub\Hunt incorporates these checks to help customers meet safety and compliance requirements. Stage 6: Long‑Run Performance Trials Extended Run Test FAT is not limited to quick spot checks. Laub\Hunt performs extended run tests where the machine operates for a couple of hours at or near production speeds with water and bottles. During this period, technicians evaluate: ● What wears: observing cams, followers, sliders, and seals for abnormal heat, friction, or polish. ● What rubs or squeaks: diagnosing any contact or misalignment indicated by noise. ● Smooth transfer of bottles across bridge plates, transfer plates, donut plates, and conveyor chains, ensuring no stumbling or misfeeds. Longer‑duration FAT runs are essential for revealing latent issues that short trials miss—such as thermal growth, creeping misalignment, or intermittent jams. Laub\Hunt’s long‑run tests follow that logic and are documented as part of the FAT record. Torque Limiter and Overload Behavior Laub\Hunt’s checklist also calls for verifying the torque limiter: It must be adjustable so the machine can be pulled back while running and restarted from any position. During FAT, Laub\Hunt: ● Tests overload conditions to ensure the torque limiter slips or releases as designed. ● Confirms that the machine can resume operation without binding after an overload event. Tests of overload and emergency behavior ensures both equipment protection and operator safety. Including this in FAT means customers receive a machine whose protective systems have already been proven under controlled conditions. Stage 7: Special Tests for Detergent and Chemical Applications Suds and Chemical‑Behavior Tests For fillers intended for bleach, detergents, and other foaming or chemically aggressive products, Laub\Hunt performs specialized tests beyond standard water trials. These include: ● “Suds tests” using detergent or ammonia solutions to observe foam behavior in the bowl, valves, and overflow paths. ● Checks that level controls remain stable and that foam does not cause chronic false readings or spills. ● Validation that seals, coatings, and materials in contact with test solutions behave as designed. It is necessary to test performance under realistic process conditions, including foaming and temperature variations, before shipment. Laub\Hunt’s suds and chemical‑behavior tests are the result of decades’ experience in the bleach and household‑chemical markets. Stage 8: Spares, Accessories, and Documentation Counting Stars, Guides, and Spares A comprehensive FAT also ensures that everything promised in equipment order is present and accounted for. Laub\Hunt technicians: ● Count and record the number of stars and guides shipped. ● Verify the number of spare valves and confirm they are fully assembled and ready to use. ● Confirm that a grease gun and a tube of Parker O‑Lube (or equivalent) are packed with the filler. Best practices include checks that all auxiliary equipment, tools, and documentation are present, as these items are often critical to smooth commissioning. Final Documents and FAT Report Throughout the FAT, Laub\Hunt records: ● Test results, observations, and any deviations from expected performance. ● Adjustments made and final “zero settings” (e.g., fill volumes, speeds, and key alignment points). ● Outstanding minor items, if any, with a plan for resolution. Best practices call for a formal FAT report and acceptance certificate once criteria are met, with any minor punch‑list items documented separately. Laub\Hunt follows this model, ensuring that you have a shared, written record of what was tested and accepted before shipment. What FAT Means for You When Factory Acceptance Testing is complete, you receive a filler that has already: ● Been fully lubricated, aligned, and checked for mechanical integrity. ● Passed dry and wet functional checks, including leak tests, safety verifications, and extended runs. ● Demonstrated performance with your bottles under realistic conditions. ● Had its accessories, spares, and documentation verified and packed. Industry standards—and Laub\Hunt’s decades in liquid filling—show that this investment in the FAT dramatically reduces startup time, rework, and risk at your plant. By the time your machine reaches your dock, the heavy troubleshooting has already been done, allowing installation and commissioning to focus on integration and optimization rather than basic fixes. Contact us for more information. Also review stages 1-2 and stages 3-4.

What Happens During Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) Stages 3 - 4 Stage 3: Dry Functional Testing Air and Control System Checks With the mechanicals validated and lubricated, Laub\Hunt conducts dry functional tests (i.e., no product yet) to confirm pneumatic and control behavior. This includes: ● Checking the air filter by running air through water to verify proper exhaust of air and any entrained moisture. ● Wiring and testing up‑and‑down solenoids, confirming the correct hoses and motions, and ensuring there are no wiring or plumbing errors. ● Setting pressure regulators for plungers and other actuators. ● Verifying float switch travel—typically at least 4 inches between on and off positions—and ensuring switches reliably trigger overflow pumps when specified. These steps represent best practices where PLC inputs/outputs, actuators, and interlocks are checked before any wet testing. Laub\Hunt’s checklist embeds these tasks in a structured, sign‑off format. Valve and Hardware Verification Still in the dry phase, technicians verify: ● Presence and condition of all valve components: blocks, washers, O‑rings, tips, and screws, with no missing parts and all fasteners snug. ● Adjustability of valves across the full outage range: clearing the bottle top, reaching the lowest fill level, and beyond. Other FAT protocols require similar checks to ensure valves and heads are complete and adjustable before any performance measurements are made. Laub\Hunt’s detailed valve checklist minimizes the risk of assembly omissions that could create leaks or inaccurate fills. Stage 4: Wet Test and Leak‑Tightness Water‑based Wet Test The core of FAT is the wet test, where the filler is run with water to verify leak‑tightness and system behavior under realistic hydraulic conditions. Laub\Hunt technicians: ● Check for leaks at valves, hose gaskets, manifolds, and piping to any vacuum pumps. ● Inspect rotating seals by deliberately stressing them side‑to‑side to see if leakage occurs. ● Verify that O‑rings at switches are lubricated and not leaking, and that Permatex or similar thread sealant is applied on specified switch threads. Laub\Hunt prioritizes leak tests, emphasizing the need to verify seals, connections, and wetted components before shipping. Laub\Hunt’s process ensures the entire liquid path is sealed and stable. Functional checks with water and bottles Simultaneously, the team verifies system functions under wet conditions: ● Confirming float switches control overflow pumps correctly. ● Running bottles through the filler to test stars and guides in real operation. ● Checking that valves reach and maintain target levels at different settings and that the full range of fill‑level adjustment is available. ● Ensuring the cam for “puffing” or venting seals properly on the upper tip O‑ring before being withdrawn from the valve. Water trials validate filling accuracy, container handling, and control logic before committing to performance metrics. Laub\Hunt integrates these into a single wet test phase, tightly linked to its checklist items. Contact us for more information. Also Review stages 1-2 and stages 5-7 .

During Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Laub\Hunt Packaging Systems runs your filler through a structured, checklist‑driven trial in their plant—verifying lubrication, mechanical alignment

NeverDown - Preventative Maintenance Press Release For Immediate Release Contact: Jeff Hunt Phone: (888) 671-9338 Email: jhunt@laubhunt.com https://www.laubhunt.com/ Laub\Hunt Launches NeverDown—A Preventive Maintenance Service Built for Equipment Reliability and Uptime New Service Offering Combines Proactive Maintenance, Remote Support, and Customized Plans to Reduce Downtime and Maximize ROI Norwalk, CA – June 23, 2026 – Laub\Hunt Packaging Systems , a leading manufacturer of precision liquid filling equipment serving the Bleach, Pool / Spa, Food & Beverage, Industrial Chemicals, Household Products, Personal Care, and Automotive industries today announced the launch of NeverDown , a comprehensive service solution designed to help manufacturers reduce downtime, improve equipment performance, and maximize return on investment. For over 75 years, Laub\Hunt has built filling systems known for their accuracy, durability, and reliability. NeverDown extends that commitment beyond installation, providing customers a proactive approach to maintaining peak performance throughout their equipment's lifecycle. "Production interruptions are costly," said Jeff Hunt, President and CEO. " NeverDown helps customers identify and address issues before they become problems, giving them greater visibility and confidence in their operations." A Proactive Approach to Equipment Reliability Unlike traditional reactive service models, NeverDown focuses on preventive maintenance and early intervention through: Routine mechanical and system inspections Calibration of filling accuracy and consistency Verification of seals, valves, and critical operating components Cleaning and conditioning of components exposed to corrosive products Performance testing under actual operating conditions Each service visit follows a detailed inspection checklist customized to the specific equipment configuration, ensuring comprehensive and consistent evaluations over time. Customized Maintenance Programs Laub\Hunt tailors each program to customer requirements—from monthly inspections to annual comprehensive evaluations—coordinating maintenance with production schedules to minimize disruption. Programs account for production volume, operating conditions, product corrosiveness, and uptime objectives. Replace Before Failure Rather than waiting for unexpected failures, NeverDown manages wear items through planned replacement cycles, reducing unplanned downtime, preventing secondary equipment damage, maintaining filling accuracy, and lowering lifecycle costs. Responsive Support FillSure combines on-site field service with remote diagnostics, enabling rapid issue resolution while deploying technicians only when hands-on intervention is necessary. "As manufacturers focus on productivity and cost control, reliable equipment becomes critical," Hunt added. "NeverDown provides the structure and expertise customers need to keep operations running at peak performance." Through structured maintenance planning, detailed inspections, proactive parts management, and responsive support, Laub\Hunt helps manufacturers gain greater control over equipment performance while reducing operational uncertainty. About Laub\Hunt Laub\Hunt Packaging Systems designs and manufactures precision liquid filling equipment for the bleach, pool and spa, food and beverage, industrial chemical, household products, personal care, and automotive industries.| With more than 75 years of manufacturing heritage, the company is recognized for building high-quality, simple-to-operate filling systems that deliver exceptional accuracy, reliability, and long-term value. Laub\Hunt's equipment is installed throughout North America and around the world, helping manufacturers improve productivity and maintain consistent product quality. For more information about NeverDown and Laub\Hunt’s complete line of packaging solutions, contact Jeff Hunt at (888) 671-9338, or via email at jhunt@laubhunt.com . https://www.laubhunt.com/contact https://www.laubhunt.com/

Are you looking for innovative liquid filling equipment and packaging solutions for your production line? Join Laub\Hunt Packaging Systems at PACK EXPO International 2026 in Chicago, October 18–21