A beverage line outlives the spare-part book written for it. Models are retired, number lists are consolidated, and one day the number in your book returns nothing from the machine maker’s catalogue. That does not mean the part is gone — only that the listing is. The number itself still identifies the part, and that is what gets you the replacement.
Why numbers get discontinued
Machine makers supersede parts as designs change: a bearing is replaced by a newer grade, a seal by an improved compound, a bracket by a revised drawing. The old number is retired even though the machine it fits is still running on three continents. The part survives the number change; only the catalogue entry does not.
A number is still a number
The whole point of a reference number is that it defines a shape and size that everyone — you, the supplier, the machine maker — agrees on. When a number is discontinued, that definition does not vanish with the listing. A supplier who holds the reference can still read the number and match the part, even if the machine maker’s shop no longer stocks it.
Cross-referencing: the old number to the current part
Cross-referencing is the act of matching your old number to the part that fits today. A good supplier does this from the reference alone, and tells you when your number has been superseded and by what. The answer you get back should match your number or be explained as a replacement for it — a number that merely “looks similar” is not a match.
Send both numbers when they differ
Drawings and books often show an older number for the same part than the one now etched on the housing. When the two disagree, send both: that disagreement is a supersession, and a supplier who sees both can match either. Send the number as one block of digits, no spaces or dashes, and say where you read it — part, drawing, or book.
From an obsolete number to a quotation
Look the number up directly, or send it and let a catalogue do the matching:
The number is gone from the book, not from the machine. Send it to us — we check it against the catalogue and reply with a quotation within one business day.
All brand names, trademarks, and model numbers mentioned on this website are the property of their respective owners. Their use is for identification and reference purposes only. JP Machinery supplies compatible spare parts and is not an authorized distributor or representative of KRONES, SIDEL, KHS, SACMI, or AROL.