Implementing a machine preventive maintenance schedule is a must for any company operating in the industrial sector.

As opposed to reactive maintenance, this approach aims to keep assets in optimal condition and prevent failure via a set of planned maintenance tasks. Of course, there are many factors that can affect industrial machine performance, such as age and the quality of the product itself, and eventually, machines will require renewal or spare parts will be necessary.

 

Although it’s important to have an effective machine maintenance procedure in place all year round, during the hot summer months it’s critical to take extra precautions when it comes to your operations.

Machines and industrial automation parts don’t come cheap. Taking a proactive approach to preventing equipment failure is the most effective way to keep costs down, reduce downtime, and ensure safety in the workplace. 

 

In this article, we share some tips for industrial machine maintenance during the summer season.

 

Ensure your engine cooling systems are functioning properly

Most heavy-duty industrial machine equipment has a cooling system in place to absorb heat and keep it cool, ensuring the engine remains at the optimal temperature.

The purpose of cooling systems is to prevent industrial machinery from overheating, which can cause significant damage and raise issues where safety is concerned.

During the summer, when temperatures are higher than usual and cooling systems need to work much harder to keep the machine cool, it’s important to inspect coolant levels more regularly.

Note that it’s recommended that the coolant is flushed and replaced annually at a minimum, and more frequently if the coolant appears to contain impurities such as rust. Additionally, a pressure test should be performed each year.

Taking these steps, in addition to examining the cooling system for leaks, cracks, or other issues, will help you retain machine functionality and optimum temperature.

 

 

 

Use thermal  imaging cameras to inspect equipment performance 

Thermal imaging cameras are effective tools for monitoring equipment performance and reducing the likelihood of downtime. Using thermal imaging can also help to reduce costs related to reactive maintenance and extend the lifespan of assets.

Thermal imaging helps you to spot a lack of uniformity in any equipment by revealing hot and cold surface temperature spots. This can help you to identify equipment damage or machine malfunction, as heat is a key indicator of this. There are different types of thermography that can be used to monitor the temperature of machinery. Here’s a quick overview:

• Baseline thermography: This involves scanning equipment when it is first implemented and using this as a reference point for inspections in the future. 

• Thermal trending thermography: With your machine’s baseline temperature in mind, you can compare how temperature is distributed in its components over time to identify performance decline or schedule maintenance before problems arise. 

• Comparative thermography: Here, you will scan similar components with the camera to compare their temperature profiles. Temperature differences can be used to identify any anomalies.

 

 

 

Make sure batteries are in good condition

Batteries are a vital component of most industrial equipment. Seasonality can have a major impact on battery performance, with temperatures impacting. This can lead to battery-related breakdowns which can lead to accidents and downtime.

Checking on battery health is a critical part of any industrial machine maintenance procedure. Ensuring that batteries are performing to the expected standard and replacing any that aren’t will help ensure machine functionality all year-round.

Many industrial control systems rely on lithium-ion batteries as mobile power sources. They are low-maintenance and offer better versatility than traditional industrial power sources, but it’s important to keep internal and external temperatures in mind. It’s important to be wary of how these batteries can heat up internally when the temperature is high, which can lead to reduced battery capacity and lead to accelerated quality degradation.

When it comes to choosing the highest quality battery spares, make sure you understand how they can be impacted by different temperatures.

 

Avoid peak hours when possible 

In addition to implementing a daily machine maintenance checklist, there are other basic steps you can take to improve working conditions for your equipment and increase lifespan.

For instance, if you are working on outdoor projects try to avoid hours of the day where the temperatures are hottest. The same if you are working indoors without adequate air conditioning. Higher temperatures can cause machines to overheat and put unnecessary stress on them.

 

 

Clean machines regularly

Cleaning machinery is a crucial task to complete before your employees sign off for the day. Without a proper cleaning regime, dust and debris can build up in machinery and can block ventilation passages, causing them to overheat faster.

Ensuring machinery is properly cleaned is essential all year round and can save you huge amounts on maintenance and repair while also reducing the potential for downtime. Moreover, implementing a machine cleaning schedule ensures a hygienic and working environment. 

 

Discover all your industrial machine maintenance needs with Preferred Spares

Sometimes you need to accept it’s time to replace a piece of equipment or a required part. When that occasion arises, it’s important to know where to turn. As one of the leading industrial automation companies in the UAE, Preferred Spares supplies quality, robust industrial automation parts for all your machine maintenance needs.

With an extensive online catalogue of spare parts from the world’s leading manufacturers, such as Motec, Siemens, and Sirena, you’ll find the part that you need. Whether you are seeking a replacement PLC system, cooling system, industrial lighting solution, or anything else - Preferred Spares guarantees the safe and expedient delivery of parts when you need them.

Rest assured that all Preferred Spares supplied parts are ISO-certified and backed by the manufacturer's warranty to guarantee only the most premium products are delivered.

Whether you are in need of a particular spare part for your industrial machinery to improve functionality and lifespan during the summer months, or you want to know more about how to optimise your machine maintenance procedures - the team at Preferred Spares are happy to share their expertise and advice.

 

Head to the Preferred Spares website to find out more about the range of high-calibre spare parts from the leading industrial automation electrical equipment suppliers in the UAE.