Why Shutdowns Are a Great Time to Perform Predictive and Preventive Maintenance

In today’s ever-evolving manufacturing landscape, more companies are adopting lean manufacturing principles. A key component of success with this strategy is having machine tools ready to run parts at a moment’s notice. This is where predictive or preventive maintenance can be a huge help.

WHAT ARE PREDICTIVE AND PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE?

Predictive and preventive maintenance can both help your shop floor stay productive. Though they sound similar, preventive and predictive maintenance differ in when and why they are performed. Preventive maintenance is regularly scheduled, like an annual check-up for your machine. Predictive maintenance is performed based on conditional factors occurring in a machine that may be indicators of future failure. Both types of maintenance are beneficial and should be performed in tandem when the need arises.

PERFORMING CHECKS

Performing checks on your machine tool at scheduled times and comparing the results to baseline results taken when the machine was new or known to be in good working order allows you to use the results of the checks to determine if components are beginning to fail or fall out of tolerance. Once you have this information you can make a plan for fixing the issue at a time of your choice. Thus, you can plan the downtime and ensure that it is minimally disruptive to your production.

ADD PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE TO YOUR PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

For instance, if you perform backlash tests on the machine axes when the machine is new and within factory specs, you’ll have great baseline metrics to compare subsequent tests against later on. As part of the preventive maintenance you’re already doing to the machine tool, add these predictive maintenance checks. If a problem is found, you can schedule a time to have the issue fixed. The same could be done with spindles by monitoring heat, vibration, runout, or noise. Compare the values found to the baseline test results and determine if the spindle is developing an issue.

WHAT YOU NEED TO PERFORM PREDICTIVE OR PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

Being able to plan your downtime is paramount to success in a lean manufacturing situation, and having the tools and parts available to keep your machine running is essential.

Okuma’s CARE PM kits contain parts specifically curated to perform preventive maintenance on your machine. These CARE kits include the suggested components to properly maintain your machine tool with additional add-ons available for any other concerns you may have about your machine.

Want to get started to plan your preventive maintenance? Contact your distributor today and request your Okuma CARE PM kit.