Four Reasons Why Preventative Maintenance is Critically Important for Automation Systems
#1 Limit Breakdowns
Nothing is worse than having your automated system malfunction in the middle of a big project, especially when the problem could have been avoided in the first place. Everything will have to be delayed, while time and energy is spent trying to fix the issue. The situation may increase stress levels, frustrate employees, and irritate clients. On top of it, actual breakdown costs for automated systems are usually 4-5 times more expensive than the maintenance costs themselves. Lack of maintenance can contribute to premature failure, which can result in expensive downtime.
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#2 Increase ROI
All robots and automated equipment develop wear and tear over time and require periodic maintenance, so maximizing your system’s usable life makes sense both from a production and fiscal perspective. Waiting until your equipment shows signs of failure, even a small component issue, can create a ripple effect of major, long-term problems. If your system is not producing parts, you are not making money. With proper maintenance, you get the maximum life out of your equipment.
#3 Increase Efficiency and Speed
If you eat healthy, get enough sleep, and stay physically active, you are more likely to feel better and perform better in your daily life. The same can be said about your automated equipment. If your system has a consistent maintenance program where adjustments, cleaning, and problems are fixed regularly, it will likely be more productive and require less operator intervention.
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#4 Maximize the Life of your Equipment
Implementing preventive maintenance practices doesn’t have to be complicated. Many times, it only requires quick daily inspections or in-depth check-ups on an interval basis. Taking the time to make maintenance a priority will help you gain control over your equipment’s life and avoid major downtime, which can have a big impact on your profitability.
With over 25 years of providing custom production automation systems for a variety of customers and applications - and servicing them - trust us to help keep your factory automation system operating at its best!