Amid a challenging economy and shrinking capital budgets, many companies face the formidable challenge of keeping their aging conveyor systems operational well past the point at which they would typically be relegated to the scrap heap. This challenge can be overcome, but it is not without its challenges. This is a challenge that a large number of companies believe is impossible to overcome. If you follow the advice in this article regarding conveyor maintenance, you can ensure that the belts continue to revolve.
1. The Party Responsible For The Upkeep Of The Facility
Even though their services are rarely recognized, the men and women who wear tool belts are the unsung heroes of any facility. One of the most common mistakes companies make is not hiring a maintenance specialist or paying them an inadequate wage. Both of these errors are equally common. Think about this: if you were sick, would you go to the doctor that charges the least amount of money in the area? If you have a skilled technician, they will fix the more minor problems so they don’t snowball into more significant problems.
Your choices regarding how you spend your money will determine the course of your life more than anything else. Would you rather spend money on lost sales and unhappy customers, or would you rather spend money on a qualified equipment maintenance program if your system breaks and you are unable to get things out the door?
2. Replacement Of Conveyor Components
There are many things on which we can rely firmly and unquestionably, and these things are abundant. There is a direct correlation between the malfunctioning component and the time that production is halted due to the breakdown. Other components of the system may sustain significant damage if a malfunctioning component is allowed to remain in place for a lengthy period without being replaced.
It is strongly recommended that you keep a safety stock of all necessary and long-lead-time conveyor components. This is something that you can use in an emergency. If this is not possible within the constraints of your financial plan, you can look for an equipment maintenance program that will collaborate with you to guarantee that your most important components are constantly available in stock at their distribution center.
3. Repairs and Maintenance to Prevent Breakdowns
If you intend to fix things as they become damaged, you are setting yourself up for a significant amount of effort because you will constantly be repairing something. All mechanical equipment, including conveyors, must have routine maintenance. The many parts of your system each require a different level of preventative maintenance on their respective parts. It is a replica of your automobile in every respect. If you follow the instructions, it will remain in good condition for a very long period. If you fail to get the machine serviced regularly, you will find yourself stuck by the side of the road regularly. CMMS is capable of developing an all-encompassing preventative maintenance strategy in collaboration with you. If you carry out the steps outlined in this guide, the number of people who can access your system will be increased.
4. An Examination of the System and Documentation
To guarantee that your conveyor system will continue to serve its intended purpose, it is essential to do routine maintenance inspections on it. In most cases, you can hear and smell the beginnings of a minor problem long before it escalates into a significant issue. This is because the beginnings of most problems are audible and have a scent. Those consistently located close to a system have a more difficult time recognizing defects that manifest themselves gradually over time. Dealing with a machine maintenance program will assist because they have conducted an exhaustive analysis of the system at this location. By performing a comprehensive inspection, you can help ensure that the entirety of your system is not on the verge of experiencing a catastrophic collapse.
5. Obsolete Equipment & Parts
There are various circumstances in which financial constraints prevent the replacement of complete systems. However, you must always be aware of which components of your system, such as your conveyors, have become obsolete and are no longer being manufactured. This includes being aware of which components of your system have become obsolete. With all this information at your disposal, you and your company can make more educated decisions about your business. For instance, if we are aware that a particular model of conveyor is no longer being produced, we may decide that it is more fiscally prudent to carry additional spare parts for this piece of equipment rather than completely replacing it. This could be the case even if we know that the conveyor in question is no longer being manufactured. This is because we will not have to buy an entirely new conveyor, resulting in cost savings. A good equipment maintenance program receives regular updates about the machinery on the verge of becoming obsolete; as a result, we can assist you in making preparations for this eventuality.
6. Ensure Proper Maintenance Is Carried Out
It is challenging to perform maintenance on comprehensive material handling systems. We must consider the time needed to carry out the necessary repairs. If, for example, a bearing in a center drive dies, it would be most efficient and cost-effective to replace just that bearing rather than the entire center drive. In this particular scenario, however, replacing the pulley’s bearings and the pulley itself would be sensible. Physically replacing a drive’s components typically takes substantially less time than separating the drive and putting it back together again. Finding creative answers to complex problems, such as anticipating maintenance needs through technologies like continuous vibration sensors, is paramount. Conveyors can be challenging to maintain at times, which can cause problems. On the other hand, if you give it a good thought and organize it properly, you can make a conveyor system last significantly longer than the manufacturer anticipates.
Final Thoughts
Nobody knows how to properly maintain a conveyor system better than those responsible for designing and building it in the first place. Maintenance work ought to be carried out by the recommendations and instructions provided by the manufacturer while also considering the particular usage.
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