Maintaining machinery can be a costly endeavor, both in terms of time and capital. To remain competitive and achieve a positive return on investment (ROI), it is crucial to explore technological advancements and management strategies that reduce maintenance needs and machinery downtime.
The primary cause of unplanned downtime in industrial settings is aging assets, compounded by mechanical failures, operator errors, inadequate maintenance time, and poor design. To address these issues, one effective strategy is to install components that require minimal maintenance, such as ultrasonic clamp-on meters, which are maintenance-free due to the absence of moving parts.
Implementing a comprehensive preventive maintenance (PM) routine is another approach to enhance ROI. By adhering to a predetermined schedule, potential issues can be identified and addressed before they cause disruptions. This helps minimize downtime, extend equipment lifespan, and increase resale value, though it may add to the asset’s ownership costs.
Predictive maintenance (PdM), leveraging analytics tools and specialized software, is an emerging and highly cost-effective method. PdM monitors the condition of in-service assets in real-time using sensors, allowing for maintenance tasks to be performed only when necessary, thereby saving costs compared to routine preventive maintenance.
Effectively managing maintenance is a significant challenge, but employing the right tools, adopting new technologies, and upgrading to low-maintenance components can enhance the longevity and performance of equipment.
For more information on industrial maintenance demands and solutions, please refer to the accompanying infographic.
Low- Or No-Maintenance Industrial Machinery was provided by Emerson
