Ever since the industrial revolution, machines backed by the latest technologies are only becoming more indispensable when it comes to the business world. If machines were eliminated from the equation, industries such as automotive, manufacturing, electronics, retail, and even medicine will cease to exist.
This is why it’s understandable for business owners to want to keep all their machines well-maintained. After all, their machines are the backbones of their businesses. It’s only right to invest time, money, and resources into making sure that the machines are kept in an optimal condition at all times.
But just because machines are subjected to routine checks and regular maintenance doesn’t automatically mean that they are immune to breakdowns. Most machines may have been built for durability and longevity, however, if they aren’t cared for in the right way, that intention will be defeated.
Most of the reasons why machines fail are preventable, but because they are not common knowledge, business owners can be oblivious to them until it’s too late. If you want to preserve the optimal condition of your machines so that you won’t experience downtime, here are the three culprits that you should watch out for:
Culprit #1: Improper Maintenance
Anyone working with machines should know that maintenance is the key to preserving their equipment’s optimal condition. It’s easy to use machines when they are new because everything is working perfectly, but over time, they can accumulate sludge, oil varnish, and other contaminants.
Failing to maintain the machines properly can result in a breakdown, which means that your overall productivity will be affected. When machines fail, they can be costly and time-consuming to repair. That’s why it’s important to perform regular preventive maintenance on all your machines.
However, just because you have an employee checking for signs of damage every day doesn’t mean that they are doing it properly. For instance, they may not be greasing all the lube points that will ensure a smooth operation, or they don’t check the engine oil or other fluids that the machines need to function.
And if they are ticking all of these checkboxes, the failure may be a result of using hazardous chemical solutions in flushing the systems because they are cheaper. If you’re handling delicate machinery, it’s essential to use the appropriate oil varnish removal solution because incorrect fluids may damage the integrity of your machines.
Culprit #2: Eventual Wear and Tear
Through time, all machines will experience wear and tear even if they are properly maintained. It’s inevitable because like people, machines can grow old and weary from exhaustion. This shouldn’t come as a surprise especially if you’re using your machines every day to produce consumer goods for the market.
However, just because all machines undergo depreciation, it doesn’t mean that their lives can no longer be prolonged. That’s why machines need regular maintenance because doing so allows you to see if there are parts that need to be replaced or repaired before the damage becomes worse.
Other external factors may also contribute to wear and tear, such as weather conditions, the temperature where the machine is situated, functional stress, as well as physical impacts. Knowing that damage can be caused by both internal and external factors will allow you to be more careful when maintaining your machinery.
Culprit #3: Untrained Operators
Most of the time, the culprit behind many machine breakdowns are operators who weren’t trained enough before being put to work. The lack of comprehensive training when it comes to handling machinery can lead to long-term damage to the equipment or devastating injuries to the operators.
When business owners increase their production capacity by hiring more workers, they should also allow enough time to train the people they designate to operate machines. That’s because training the operators properly can eliminate the possibility of downtime due to negligence or abused machines.
It can also make the workplace safer because the operators were educated about the risks of handling their machinery. This can reduce the possibility of workplace accidents like getting stuck in between machines, falling objects, or malfunctions occurring all because the operators didn’t know any better.
The presence of machines in the workplace has truly revolutionized how businesses conduct their operations. The advantages of using machines in their day-to-day greatly outweigh any disadvantages they may have, but that doesn’t mean that people should be reckless in the midst of heavy machinery.
Despite all the good that can come out of using machines—increased productivity, more accurate and precise end products, cheaper production costs, and less strain on human workers—they can also be incredibly dangerous; one wrong move can cost a life. So it’s better to make ample safety precautions for your employees who are working to prolong the lives of your machines.
