Regardless of how big or small your manufacturing business is, you probably already know that even one day of plant unavailability due to machinery breakdowns can be a massive cost loss. What’s more, you may even lose substantial sales as customers are likely to go elsewhere, and they may not return. So, to ensure your business is never down, we have listed a few essential maintenance tips that will keep your machinery operating while also boosting overall productivity.
Replace Components With Higher Quality Materials
Regardless of the specific type, all machinery is built from various components; you can replace some parts to enhance overall quality and durability. Therefore, you could consider switching to round carbon fiber tubing in place of steel, as steel is heavier and might weigh down machines, slowing them down and causing more wear and tear. However, before pulling machinery apart, it is best to have a professional service evaluate the best approach to upgrading your machinery to enhance performance and productivity.
Schedule Ongoing Maintenance
Instead of waiting for your machinery to break down and hoping that it doesn’t, you should create a scheduled maintenance plan. Ongoing maintenance is the best method of avoiding a breakdown, as a maintenance team will be able to identify issues that you and your workers would not be able to. When creating your schedule, you should also consider the recommended timeline for maintenance. When creating a maintenance schedule, you should also opt for a reliable maintenance service with an excellent service rating.
Clean And Lubricate All Equipment Regularly
The vast majority of heavy machinery should be cleaned and appropriately lubricated daily. All the moving parts will need proper lubrication to work as they should, so your workers should know that cleaning and lubrication are a big part of the everyday work schedule. It is also wise to invest in quality lubrication, as quality lubricants will prevent damage to your machines. Some machinery requires specific lubricants, so be sure you always use the right products to keep your machines in pristine condition.
Maintain Workplace Cleanliness And Organization
Manufacturing is an industry often noted as a high-risk work environment due to the specifics of the workplace. Maintaining a clean and organized workplace will reduce injuries and enhance your health and safety rating, and the effort will also ensure your machinery is less likely to break down. Because a messy workplace means that debris and contagions could become issues for your machinery, keeping things clean and organized will protect your employees and your machinery while enhancing overall productivity. Workplace layout is also important for cleanliness, organization, and productivity.
Preventative and proactive maintenance measures are the best way to avoid unplanned downtime that can significantly cost your business sales and profits. What’s more, manufacturing machinery and most heavy-duty machinery is not exactly the most affordable types of machines out there. Keeping up with preventative and proactive maintenance should be a priority as it will also help you avoid the costly issue of replacing your machines if they are damaged beyond repair.