Four Practical Ways To Maintain Your Machine Shop Equipment

6 July 2016
 Categories: , Blog

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When it comes to maintaining your machine shop equipment, regular maintenance isn't the only way to keep your equipment in good condition. There are a number of everyday tasks that can help you with accomplishing this goal. Here are just some of the things you can do.

Inspections

Malfunctions are generally progressive. Rarely does equipment simply fail without warning. Increase the chance of recognizing an issue before it magnifies by performing regular inspections. Focus on the end mills, drill bits, cutting tools and motor for the best results. How frequently you should perform an inspection depends on often the equipment is operated. For instance, in a facility where it is operated daily, weekly inspections would work well. In a facility that only uses it periodically, monthly inspections could work.   

Cleaning

Combat maintenance issues by keeping the equipment clean. Dirt, dust and other debris all serve as major hazards for equipment. This is especially the case when it comes to intricate components like the motor. Dust buildup inside the motor may clog the fan, preventing it from functioning properly. A failing fan increases the risk of the equipment overheating and causing permanent damage. An excessive debris buildup can also cause alignment issues with the cutting components. Your equipment should be cleaned on a regular basis.

Training

The unfortunate reality is that sometimes an unskilled worker is the reason for an equipment failure. Minimize the occurrence of this type of issue by initiating periodic training sessions for your team. When onboarding new team members, it's a good idea to train them on your specific equipment, regardless of whether they are already a qualified machinist. For existing team members that have been operating in the industry for a number of years, regular training can serve as a refresher to help keep them on track and minimize errors. Contact a machine shop for more information. 

Lubricating

Make it a regular habit to lubricate all moving parts of your equipment. When parts aren't lubricated, friction levels increase. Friction will primarily cause malfunctions within your unit, but more importantly, it will have a negative impact on the quality at which the equipment operates. This impact will surface in the form of inaccurate cuts. For the best result, use a long sprout bottle that allows you to apply the lubricant in a focused area to prevent a mess or over lubricating and always use an approved lubricant.

Ensure you are keeping machine shop maintenance a top priority in your facility to keep your quality high and your equipment in better condition.