The mechanical assets in your manufacturing firm are too large an investment to neglect. Every machine—be it a stamping press, industrial mixer or deaerator—is subject to wear and tear, and failing to acknowledge that will cost your business dearly, especially if it means someone gets hurt. Creating and enacting strategies for ensuring your equipment remains in peak condition, on the other hand, is more than worth it, not only in preventing costly breakdowns but also by maximizing production efficiency and ROI.

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Start with Good Equipment

Maximizing the performance of mechanical assets starts from the moment you purchase them. This means taking the time to find trusted, experienced manufacturers and avoiding used equipment resales or small fabrication shops. You’re better off turning to a manufacturer that makes one type of product well than a cheaper competitor that doesn’t specialize; any money you save on the purchase will have to go towards getting it into working condition.

Establish Maintenance Procedures

Standards are important in all aspects of engineering, and this remains true for industrial maintenance. Drafting standard maintenance procedures for your equipment creates guidelines that any skilled and qualified technician can follow, no matter how familiar they are with your machine specifically; this minimizes the troubles that can arise if a lead technician retires and takes that knowledge with them. This should include both frequent, small-scale tasks such as lubricating bearings and larger, complex procedures like replacing a pump, and the process should be elaborated on with diagrams, lists of necessary parts and any personnel that should be present. If possible, speak with the OEM about standard procedures.

Be Proactive Whenever Possible

Your maintenance team shouldn’t be focusing on reactive repairs. Even if they get machines up and running within the same day, the equipment failure has already happened. A more proactive approach can prevent failure from occurring in the first place. Set up a schedule for regular inspection and upkeep and keep records of when maintenance is performed. In most cases, technicians can catch small issues before they compound and cause a breakdown.