Various automation equipment serves different purposes and for them to continue to function effectively, they need to be properly maintained.
Have you noticed the sudden breakdown of such equipment, and you wonder what could be wrong? It starts from the little things on that equipment you need to pay attention to.
To save you unnecessary costs, these are proven tips on how to maintain your equipment.
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8 Tips For Maintaining Automation Equipment
Before I continue, here are 3 categories of maintenance on which the tips will be discussed.
- Predictive Maintenance
- Preventive Maintenance
- Corrective Maintenance
Predictive and preventive maintenance is important to prevent the breakdown of automation equipment while corrective maintenance is done after the breakdown.
1. Information
You must be well informed on the maintenance strategy of each piece of equipment. For every automation equipment, there are manufacturers’ manuals that will guide you on how proper maintenance should be done.
Maintenance can be done daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly. Your knowledge and implementation of maintenance procedures will ensure the efficiency of the automation equipment.
2. Preventive Measures
You need to observe some measures to prevent the breakdown of equipment. This has many advantages, which include: safety and low cost of the maintenance of the equipment. Note the following measures:
- Regular monitoring
- Proper and regular cleaning
- Right instructions in operating the equipment
- Proper operation
- Servicing when needed
3. Predictive measures
These measures are taken to detect or check any anomaly with the equipment. This is the reason sensors are used.
Sensors should be part of every automation equipment to detect any signal like heat, temperature, and pressure. These signals reflect the condition of the equipment and alert you to where the problem is.
4. Training
You and your team members should constantly update your knowledge on the proper handling of various equipment by attending training. You must know how to handle proper operation, principles, and maintenance.
When you can identify problems and find the solutions to your equipment, it is essential to their maximum efficiency.
5. Proper documentation
Don’t disregard the fact that you need to keep a record of your maintenance schedule, whether it is daily, weekly or monthly. Once you notice any functional deviation in the equipment, properly document it.
The data recorded will serve as a guide for the repairer to trace the problem with the equipment.
6. Be Proactive
Before you experience difficulty with your equipment at any time, take anticipated actions to prevent future occurrences. Don’t wait till you see the problem before you act, develop a great foresight for prevention.
Being reactive will only lead to many breakdowns of the equipment, which may cost a lot of resources.
7. Understand the automation equipment
You must know the principles, procedures, care, and handling of every piece of equipment. Understand the problems the equipment has gone through, and make sure to prevent past events that can lead to those problems.
If you notice any problems, inform the repairer.
8. Immediate repair in case of breakdown
If there is a breakdown in the automation equipment, call for a repair immediately to minimize more damage and cost.