Preventive and corrective maintenance entails periodically scheduled equipment upkeep to circumvent any abrupt and unexpected equipment failure and resulting downtime. For a production environment, it also drastically reduces the total ownership cost of the equipment asset and extends its expected service life. Maintenance of mechanical equipment, involves much more than what meets the eye. In fact, a well-curated facility management system generally encompasses four categories of maintenance: emergency (or response), routine, preventive, and predictive.
Therefore, here we have listed five assessment programs what are adept in arming your maintenance squad with the requisite knowledge to combat any equipment failure, and reduce the lifecycle costs of production equipment, and ultimately extending their service lives.
Insulation resistance testing: For electric-powered mechanical equipment, high horsepower motors and drivers have insulation that breaks down over time. When it does, it could short the equipment and lead to costly downtime. Using instrumentation such as multi-meters, clip-on ammeters, and other equipment, insulation breakdown can be detected early so that you can schedule that motor or driver for a rewind before further damage occurs.
Infrared thermography: Switchboards, lighting panels, electrical connections, misaligned motors, couplings, pumps, and other equipment can be surveyed on a periodic basis using thermo graphic cameras and glasses. There are numerous choices of such equipment. Basic thermo graphic cameras may be used by everyday personnel.
Vibration monitoring: Handheld vibration monitors come in many shapes and sizes, with different capabilities. They are easy to operate; mechanics and workers can use them to take recurring readings on rotating and reciprocating machinery to determine any abnormal vibration patterns.
Ultrasonic leak detection: Ultrasonic leak detectors are also available in all shapes and sizes and with varying capabilities. They may be used to detect leaks that are otherwise difficult to assess. They are ideal for finding air leaks in pressurized air systems, refrigerant leaks, and tank and chamber leaks.
Fluid analysis kits: Periodically test lubricating oil, grease, hydraulic oil, and other fluids. Ordinarily such fluids are sampled and sent to an outside laboratory for a comprehensive analysis.
Therefore, we believe you’ll adhere to the above listed remedial programs, in order to enhance your mechanical equipment life, and push it beyond its service cycle.
