If you own a manufacturing business, chances are you’ll want to avoid downtime as much as you can. Not only does an interruption to your operations cost money, but it also reduces client trust and contributes to employee dissatisfaction.
If your machinery is always breaking down, this could also pose a safety risk to your staff, so it’s clear to see why downtime is never ideal.
In this post, we’ll discuss maintenance and how taking a proactive approach can help you avoid downtime, as well as covering how bearings can play a pivotal role in keeping the wheels turning.
The Perils Of Downtime
Unexpected machine downtime can spell significant productivity and financial woes for businesses, particularly in today’s manufacturing landscape which is heavily reliant on automated processes.
The breakdown of these automated machines translates into missed deadlines, reduced productivity and, ultimately, financial losses.
While planned downtime, such as routine maintenance, is a necessary aspect of operational upkeep, its impact is less disruptive as it can be seamlessly integrated into scheduled production pauses or carried out when machinery isn’t in operation.
On the flip side, unplanned downtime, triggered by unforeseen equipment failures that demand urgent maintenance and part replacements, creates a wealth of issues for manufacturing businesses, causing substantial challenges.
According to a study by Vanson Bourne, a staggering 80 per cent of companies have grappled with at least one episode of unplanned downtime in the past three years, resulting in financial losses running into thousands.
So if you want to be one of the 20 per cent that managed to avoid downtime with proper planning and maintenance, let’s find out how you can.
Replacing Bearings
Bearings are often regarded as unsung heroes within machinery, and for good reason, as they play a pivotal role in facilitating smooth and efficient operations.
These unassuming components enable the rotational motion between two parts, reducing friction and supporting the weight of the machinery. Their significance is particularly evident in preventing downtime, as they allow for uninterrupted production.
Over time, bearings endure wear and tear due to the constant mechanical stresses they face, so changing them at the right time is paramount in avoiding downtime. Regularly scheduled replacement isn’t just a standard maintenance task, it’s a proactive strategy to avoid potential failures that could lead to costly and unexpected interruptions in production.
By adhering to a regimen of regular bearing changes, businesses can ensure the longevity and reliability of their machinery, helping them mitigate the risks associated with unforeseen breakdowns and maximising operational efficiency.
Bearing Lubrication
As well as changing your bearings regularly, another crucial part of avoiding downtime is preventing bearing damage, which can be achieved by adequate lubrication.
Thus, applying the right grease at appropriate intervals is paramount for achieving optimal bearing performance. Inadequate lubrication or the use of the incorrect lubricants can eventually lead to bearing failure, causing unplanned downtime as issues need to be rectified.
Regularly inspecting the condition of your bearings during operation through basic condition monitoring measurements is imperative, acting as a preventive measure against unforeseen machine halts.
If any issues are flagged during these inspections, planned maintenance can be strategically implemented to align with your production schedule, mitigating major losses through downtime.
Our website features a comprehensive range of lubricants and basic condition-monitoring tools to support you with this.
Here at North West Bearings, we take pride in stocking originally manufactured bearings and lubricants from industry-leading brands.
As a ball bearing supplier, our commitment lies in offering top-tier quality bearings to optimise machine performance and ensure operational excellence in the manufacturing sector.