If you want to avoid breakdowns and ensure that your operations run smoothly, then you need to create a manufacturing strategy, as well as a maintenance schedule. That way, you can streamline your processes and maintain your equipment while they are not in use—both methods of which will save you time, thus earning you more profit down the road. However, you might find it challenging to know when you should maintain your equipment. Manufacturers often predict the failure rate of their products, so you can refer to the equipment’s manual or contact them. If you want to fine-tune the maintenance schedule, you may opt to record and measure failures.
Here are some tips that go a long way toward proper maintenance of your manufacturing gear and your workplace, overall.
Clean and Lubricate Regularly
All your heavy machinery will require maintenance, so you should stay on top of the situation, as stated earlier. However, aside from checking the equipment, you need to make sure you clean and lubricate them regularly. A huge reason equipment fails is because of contamination, especially from water ingress. To avoid corrosion, you must monitor and replace filters and seals when needed. To prevent corrosion, you need to properly lubricate the equipment.
Parts such as power trains and engines need to be frequently lubricated to avoid damaging the components and to keep everything running smoothly. You should also be aware that there are different forms of lubricant, and you should know what type to use on each piece of machinery. You can ask the manufacturer for the specific type of lubricant that they recommend.
Additionally, you should know that cleaning is not limited to just the equipment itself, but to all other aspects and areas of your workplace. For instance, if you notice that the paint on your tank is peeling, you should find tank painting contractors to help you resolve the issue before rust sets in.
Create an Organized Environment
Being organized is the key to success; if your factory floor is chaotic, your workers will be, as well—and that can negatively affect your outcomes. Plus, it will be easier to proceed with maintenance tasks and pinpoint potential issues with machinery if your work floor is organized and clean. The equipment and plant should always be kept spotless and tidy. Make sure to check the cab of your electronics, as they can get damaged by built-up dirt or water.
Look for Signs of Damage
Apart from maintenance, you should create a planned schedule to look for any signs of wear or damage in your heavy equipment. This will help reduce the potential risk of downtime. Some things that you should keep an eye out for are worn or misaligned sprockets, gears, pulleys, belts, etc. Do not make “getting the most out of the part” your main priority; instead, fix or replace worn out parts before they break down completely, as this will save you a load of money and time by mitigating bigger problems and preventing work stoppage.
To decrease downtime in a manufacturing company, you should maintain all aspects of your operations. Follow the tips above to keep your business running efficiently and smoothly.
