The productivity of your business depends on the well-being of your equipment. Any downtime due to machine failure can be devastating. Business operations become out of whack disrupting service, staff comfort, and customer relations. Not to mention that the safety and health of your workers are put at risk.
Equipment breakdown is very costly. You only have two options: repair or replace, and both can be expensive. When the motor needs replacement, you’ll have to pay labor costs for removal, costs for installment, and freight costs.
Recognizing problems with the important parts, such as the brake pads and rotors, is key to preventing machine failure. What are the things to look out for? Read on to find out.
Rattling and Squeaking, Clanking and Squealing
When you’re driving your car, you love the purring sound the engine makes. But when you hear an unusual sound, you know that it’s time to open the hood and see if anything’s wrong.
Your employees are also familiar with the normal sounds of the machine they’re working on. When they hear an abnormal sound, that is usually one of the signs of imminent failure.
Just like your car, an unfamiliar noise warrants an immediate inspection.
Worn out Brake Pads and Rotors
Machine failure is usually caused by parts showing their age. Using our eyes to look for signs of wear is part of preventative maintenance.
Examine the belt, bolts, and other important parts of your machine. Does your belt have cracks, abrasions, or fraying? Are the brake pads and rotors starting to warp or showing gouges? Are the bolts out of shape or loose?
Replacing aging parts is cheaper than replacing the equipment itself. Before machine failure happens, change the worn parts with new ones.
Slumps in the Efficiency
A decrease in production speed affects your bottom line. But more importantly, it signals that the machine is starting to break down. And when it eventually fails because you neglected the warning signs, you’re going to lose a great deal more.
A slowdown in production usually indicates resistance in the machine. This could be due to lubricant leakage or due to damaged parts causing friction.
Speaking of friction, another byproduct of inefficiency is unexplained heat. Of course, heat is normally created as the machine works. However, when heat is produced in areas that should be cool, that is a problem.
Another hint of impending machine doom is when the temperature shoots up higher than normal. You should also suspect electrical failures for unexplained heat.
Address these issues immediately, or the heat could lead to a fire.
Dirty Machine
A clean machine runs smoothly. Dust and debris clog up the important parts and can cause the machine to seize.
Filters keep the dirt off of your equipment but must be routinely changed. Seals, when damaged, can’t perform their protective duties. When seals are compromised, you’ll spot leaks and wetness in areas where you don’t find them under normal conditions.
You should schedule a regular inspection of the important parts. Repair or replace them when necessary.
An Ounce of Prevention
Your production equipment is critical to your business. Once you recognize these warning signs, preventing further problems from happening will save you money in the long run.
Request a quote for our equipment repair services right now.