Head of Specta Service Engineering explains how to become an expert

I already know what’s wrong with a tool by the way it sounds

For many years Specta Technical Service has remained a reliable provider of diagnostics and repair of packaging tools and automatic equipment. Vladimir is Head of Specta Service Engineering, a professional with 17 years of experience. He talks about the importance of trainings on sites and explains how to become an expert.

From automotive technical service to tool service engineering

I applied for the position of Service Engineer at Specta and joined the company in 2008. Before that, I worked as a chief mechanic in the Automotive Technical Service.

Training at Specta in 2008

When I started working with packaging tools in 2008, I was trained by experienced professionals. We studied the instructions and exploded-view drawings, assembled the tools and disassembled them, learned how to install spare parts. When we got questions, we also consulted directly with tools manufacturers.

The hardest thing at the beginning

It is difficult in the beginning because you can hardly navigate through all the tools. There are plenty of packaging tools available on the market. Each has its own special settings and a lot of nuances. It takes time to explore them all.

The best international training experience

Specta regularly organizes trainings for its employees. I travelled to almost all the tools manufacturer plants where they provide their trainings. For example, I assembled automatic heads on the training course at Itipack or did diagnostics and repair of tools on the training course at Siat. And there were many more.

Trainings are very useful. Thankfully to them, I know exactly how to do diagnostics and repair of all the tools, both Specta brand tools and all others.

They tested our inventiveness during the training in Italy

Once we had a training course in Italy. We disassembled the tool and put all the spare parts on the table. While we weren’t looking, the Italians tossed some more bolts and parts onto our work table. So, the trainee got some bolts and parts left after he reassembled his tool.

I figured it out immediately. However, I also noticed that the method was very effective for identifying professionals. The Italian training method was aimed at improving the thoroughness and attention to detail.

Specialties of training in Japan

In 2017 in Japan, they demonstrated how to take apart the entire brand range of the tools and how to assemble them. After, there was an exam where we should go to the storage and choose a suitable set of parts to assemble a certain packing tool. We were completely involved in the assembly process. I assembled a tensioner on my own and passed the exam.

Quantity or quality?

Specta Service Engineers go for quality delivered on time. We repair equipment to make it work properly going step by step checking each junction. After that, we check the tool testing all its functions. The next step is a video report to our customer demonstrating how the tool works. And finally, we send the tool to our customer. At the beginning, we set all the stages deadlines in the contract, understanding that time is money. I have been working for Specta for over 17 years and in my experience, there was not a single case of delay. Our customers receive repaired tools on time.

I can hear the problem inside the tool

As I mentioned, I have been working as a Service Engineer for over 17 years. When I hold an electric tool, for example, and turn it on, I already can suggest what’s wrong with it by the way it sounds. I can hear it. Then, I check this by following the tool diagnostic regulations in Specta.

How much time is needed to become an expert

To become an expert, you have to disassemble and reassemble many different tools with your own hands. There are many tools on the market, and each of them has special technical features and so on. It is necessary to constantly learn and understand how to carry out diagnostics, repairs and configurations of packaging equipment.