All types and sizes of industrial facilities will run into lubrication-related equipment failures from time to time. What’s interesting is that this category of failures has been an issue for the last two decades across the United States. Unfortunately, this type of problem can quickly turn into expensive fixes due to needed maintenance, as well as money loss for a business due to unplanned downtime, because employees cannot do their job without certain equipment.
Many industrial facility operators have paid into advanced maintenance management systems and predictive tools in an attempt to avoid lubrication-related equipment failure, in hopes of lessening downtime. To their dismay, the problem continues. But there are engineers out there working on a solution. They are applying new technology to traditional preventative maintenance techniques in an attempt to reduce machine failure.
Now, let’s get back to the basics of lubrication so you can better prevent machine failures and hopefully avoid costly hydraulic repair in Minnesota:
- Predictive maintenance: The tools for plant maintenance are more advanced today than they have ever been, and reflect a reactive mindset to maintenance. Moreover, machine maintenance advertising has moved from maintenance management solutions to predictive maintenance and condition monitoring products. Using tools like vibration analysis and infrared thermography, you can diagnose problems early and reduce downtime. But the goal is to prevent machine failure from happening in the first place.
- Addressing failure: The fact is, lubrication related issues are costing industrial facilities about $1 trillion annually, many of which are brought about by a lack of system checks on automated lubrication delivery systems and not having a professional lubrication program in place. A lot of good can come from addressing machine failure at the source, which is often found to be poor or inadequate lubrication. Identify the cause to avoid industrial equipment wear and future machine failures.
- Discovering the problem: A big problem is inadequate lubrication. This causes negative effects, like repeated equipment failures, unplanned downtime, production loss and environmental impact.
- Lubrication is complex: Proper lubrication is essential to an industrial plant’s efficiency. Although some organizations treat lubrication like all other maintenance tasks, unfortunately, some others don’t because they are not aware of the problem. There are factors that determine lubrication requirements, which involve five data elements: components, lubricants, task types, procedures and frequencies.
- Basic preventative measures: Many facilities are moving toward a traditional back-to-basics mentality, while embracing new technology. Between diagnostic systems, trained lube techs and regular maintenance, lubrication-related failures will decrease.
- Starting a best-practice lube program: The demand for better preventative measures is on the rise, and facility management agrees that proper lubrication is highly proactive and preventive. By establishing a best-practice lube program that includes lubrication training for staff, using the right tools and improving lubrication logistics and control, you can reduce machine failures.
Regular maintenance of your industrial machines is one of the best steps you can take to ensure you don’t lose customers or money. And when something goes wrong, let the professionals help. Contact the team at M & M Hydraulic Company for reliable and guaranteed hydraulic repair in Minnesota!