[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Machine maintenance: 5 tips for looking after your machinery” tag=”h1″ size=”sz-l”][vc_single_image image=”8159″][vc_column_text]Whatever production facility you are operating, from food production to pet food, chemicals or pharmaceuticals, no business wants to experience downtime. Unplanned downtime causes all sorts of problems from missing customer deadlines, to potentially spiralling financial costs and even reputational damage.<\/p>\n
According to a 2017 report commissioned by Oneserve, manufacturers in the UK are each losing up to \u00a3500,000 a year<\/a> due to machinery downtime. With costs likely to have risen since then, it is crucial for every manufacturing business to stay on top of machine maintenance. And this is why it is critical to hold a stock of essential spare parts<\/a> and consumable spare parts on site \u2013 because by doing so any downtime will be dramatically reduced.<\/p>\n The proactive maintenance of your machinery<\/a> is perhaps the best way to avoid unplanned downtime. Preventive maintenance also ensures better performance, saves on energy consumption and fosters a safe work environment.<\/p>\n Given the importance of having a machine maintenance schedule, we\u2019ve listed our top 5 tips for taking care of your machinery<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Establishing an EMP \u2013 a comprehensive record of every piece of equipment and machinery you have in your production facility and the maintenance required to keep it operational \u2013 is absolutely vital.<\/p>\n Nothing must be overlooked for an EMP to function smoothly and effectively<\/u><\/a>. The plan itself is a very detailed document that describes every piece of equipment down to the finest details. It is a record of the type of maintenance each piece of equipment needs, how frequently and by whom. It should include a list of the essential spare parts<\/a> you need to keep on hand and the specialist engineers who know how to fit them.<\/p>\n Gathering together the information you need for an effective EMP is a complicated process that requires a comprehensive record of each maintenance job, together with dates, times, technical specifications of the service, any parts that were replaced, and scheduling for the next service.<\/p>\n Once you have an EMP in place you will be able to reap the benefits of reduced running costs, less downtime and a safer working environment.<\/p>\n Thorough cleaning is essential in all manufacturing plants, perhaps nowhere more so than food production. No business wants to end up on a Food Standard Agency contamination alert because unhygienic conditions have led to an outbreak of salmonella or some other bacterial infection. In the same way, no manufacturer wants to see a fall in ROI after investing in expensive equipment.<\/p>\n This is why the implementation of a regular cleaning regime is so important.<\/p>\n The first step is to check the manufacturer\u2019s cleaning recommendations for each element of your machinery. Follow these recommendations to the letter, whether it is using the correct cleaning products, a particular process or recommended frequency \u2013 or any other stipulations<\/p>\n It may be that you simply need to hose down heavy equipment with water or that specialist cleaning methods are needed such as power or pressure washing, steam cleaning or acid washing \u2013 and so on. Whatever the requirement, make sure it is documented in your EMP so that it is never overlooked. Failure to do so could result in breakdowns or even a reduction in the lifespan of crucial, costly equipment.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”8402″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Once you have your EMP in place this should be part and parcel of what you do to keep your preventive maintenance plan on schedule.<\/p>\n A planned maintenance timetable will help you predict component wear. Be sure to visually inspect every element of your machinery on an ongoing basis to monitor wear and prevent equipment failure. It is worth bearing in mind that components that need changing ahead of schedule may signal a larger problem that needs to be diagnosed to ward off any potential future disaster.<\/p>\n\n
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