Anyone in the manufacturing industry worth his weight understands that when it comes to equipment, reactive maintenance is a mug’s game. You have to run your factory the way you look after your car: keeping it in tip-top shape makes for maximum performance. Otherwise, you might just find yourself stranded on the side of the road while everyone else passes you by. When it comes to coordinate measurement machines, equipment failure puts you into crisis mode. Bottlenecks build up while you scramble to get back online and hours of productivity are lost. It’s important to work with a North American measurement solutions provider that provides same day service. However, the best plan of action is to avoid breakdown as best as possible and keep things running at 100%.
Breakdowns can be disastrous for your company as product delivery times lengthen and your competitive edge shrinks. A pattern of reactive maintenance grinds machines to the ground and can make operating equipment unsafe and unpredictable. Not only do your quality checks halt, but your costs also become unruly and difficult to plan. Regular testing and monitoring the wear and tear of part allows you to cost out replacements and predict the end of a part’s lifespan.
Bringing in measurement solutions providers for regular repairs and calibrations can help your business stay on top of replacements, but also extend the lifespan of your equipment and ensure their accuracy. Something as simple as particles on the measurement table or dust in the air bearings mean you won’t be getting accurate results. There are some daily tasks your operators may be able to perform themselves, such as basic cleaning and wiping. For example, guideways and measuring tables require daily cleaning. However, regular visits from afactory-trained service technicianwill make sure your equipment stays clean and calibrated.
When it comes to tasks like portable arm calibration or relocation, it pays to work with experts in the business. North American companies like Canadian Measurement-Metrology (CMM) with all of the appropriate ISO accreditations provide repair and calibration services that keep your machines running smoothly. Metrology equipment can be sensitive and vulnerable to any number of conditions common on factory floors, from vibrations to temperature changes. Particles in the air are especially common culprits for contamination in air bearings and threaded holes. Misloading parts can also wreak havoc on a machine, causing collisions and some serious internal shake-ups.
Some coordinate measurement machines are more durable than others, and a visit to www.cmmxyz.com can turn up a number of pieces built for the tough conditions on the factory floor. Still, there is no better defense against breakdown and delay than preventative maintenance. The worst position you can be in is scrambling to keep up with parts replacements and repairs. Relying on responsive metrology experts like CMM for regular care, upgrades, and retrofits will extend the lifespan of your equipment. Call the pros before you have a failure and stay on top of tight delivery schedules.