Secrets to Extending the Life of Your Industrial Equipment
In manufacturing, industrial equipment is the backbone of your production. However, it also represents a significant capital expense when it comes time to replace it – and if it breaks down without warning, this significant expense also becomes an unexpected expense.
Working with a knowledgeable industrial contractor who takes measures to extend the life of your equipment allows you to get the most out of your investment and helps you plan in advance for replacement.
Rebuild, Not Replace
While industrial machinery is designed to handle tough, repetitive tasks, wear and tear is normal, and eventually the machine will break down. Components degrade, moving parts become misaligned and machinery efficiency decreases. Industrial environments usually mean heavy workloads and harsh operating environments – and a lack of regular maintenance accelerates wear and tear on your machines.
When your equipment begins showing signs of wear, a full replacement might not always be necessary. A rebuild is often an effective way to restore full functionality to your equipment and extend its lifespan.
When performing a rebuild, your industrial contractor will typically disassemble the equipment, inspect individual components and replace any worn-out parts. Major components like motors, hydraulic systems and gears can often be rebuilt, saving you the expense of purchasing brand-new machinery.
Rebuilding industrial equipment can also shorten downtime, as the process is typically less time-intensive than purchasing and installing a completely new system.
With the help of an experienced industrial contracting company like Lee Contracting, a custom rebuild can be a boon to your balance sheet while keeping your production on track.
Machining: The Best-kept Secret to Equipment Longevity
Sometimes certain components become obsolete and are no longer available to purchase from the manufacturer. Don’t despair, this still doesn’t mean you have to replace the equipment entirely.
An industrial contractor with machining capabilities, like Lee Contracting, can repair or replace parts to the exact specifications you need. Our skilled machinists fabricate custom parts from scratch to fit the requirements of a wide range of industrial equipment.
Custom machining offers a level of precision that mass-manufactured parts can’t always match, so it’s an excellent option to maintain or upgrade older equipment without the cost of a full replacement. It also helps prevent future wear and tear and further extends the operational life of the machine.
Don’t Forget About Regular Maintenance
While rebuilds and machining give you a huge advantage, they’re only part of the equation. Regular maintenance is a time-tested way to extend equipment life. Simple tasks like lubricating moving parts, tightening loose components and cleaning go a long way in keeping your equipment operating at peak performance for longer.
The key here is consistency. You can’t just do it whenever you happen to think about it or hear an odd noise coming from the machine. Just as your car operates better with regular oil changes and tune-ups, your industrial equipment needs a consistent maintenance schedule to prevent minor issues from becoming major problems.
Look at routine maintenance as a small investment that adds time to the life of your equipment and saves you from having to make expensive repairs or replace the equipment sooner than necessary.
Rebuilds, machining and regular maintenance are not just about fixing problems, they’re about protecting your assets. Through Lee Contracting’s “Power of One,” you have an industrial contracting partner that can perform all three to the highest standards to help you maximize the return on your investment while saving time and money.
Trust us, your finance department will thank you.
Want to extend the life of your industrial equipment? Contact us to see if your machinery could benefit from a rebuild with custom machining.
