Have you heard about predictive maintenance for businesses? This may not be a usual term because many are not yet aware of its meaning. This is in contrast to the more commonly known phrase, preventive maintenance.
Predictive maintenance refers to the maintenance of machines before they even break down or before a problem happens. However, it’s more than just keeping a regular maintenance schedule, like what happens in preventive maintenance. Instead, it rests on knowing exactly when a specific tool or equipment needs a tune-up.
Predictive maintenance considers that some equipment may function better than others due to differences in age, quality, and the depreciation level of equipment.
To guide you on how predictive maintenance works, read on to know more.
Go One Step Ahead With Smart Predictive Maintenance
Predictive maintenance is already an effective form of maintenance by itself. Yet if you want to elevate the maintenance method of your business, switching from manual to automated or smart predictive maintenance is a good solution.
Here’s why. Smart predictive maintenance is a type of modern maintenance technique that uses multiple maintenance approaches and technologies, such as 60 Hertz Energy CMMS software. This goes up a notch higher than ordinary predictive maintenance, in three ways:
- It’s easy to integrate with other maintenance systems you’re using.
- It can monitor a wide network of other connected assets.
- It automates some necessary maintenance tasks.
How Predictive Maintenance Works
Before your business can understand the benefits of switching to predictive maintenance, it’s essential to know how it works first.
Predictive maintenance relies on internet of things (IoT) sensors connected to a console through a wireless system. The IoT enables the collection and analysis of specific data from a machine.
Then, the data detected by the sensors are fed to a computer that presents it to your computer’s users in a manageable form. The data given by the IoT sensors can provide plenty of insights into how a specific machine is running.
How Predictive Maintenance Benefits Your Business
Predictive maintenance is a proactive type of maintenance strategy that helps your company avoid the chances of equipment failure. As its name implies, you can now predict when exactly your equipment will need maintenance even before it fails.
Hence, it should now be easier to imagine how predictive maintenance benefits your business. To wit:
It Extends Your Equipment’s, Life Span.
Machinery and equipment in business can mean an expensive capital investment. Thus, it’s fitting to aim to maximize your equipment’s life.
It Minimizes Any Planned Downtime in Your Business.
Once in a while, it’s normal to take out or pull out machines temporarily. Without a proper system in place, you may be taking equipment out of commission more frequently than is necessary. With predictive maintenance, you can reduce the pull-out time for equipment. This means the repairs and upgrades to your machines won’t eat up too much time.
The Need to Apply Predictive Algorithms
One of the most challenging and mind-intensive facets of predictive maintenance is the process of building prognostic algorithms. This refers to determining the variables, then analyzing how each of those variables connects and relates with each other. The ultimate goal is to have a near-accurate prediction of when machine failures may ensue.
Typically, the general rule that applies is this. The more variables you use, the more accurate your models are. The initial models will then be based on history stored either in a cloud system or in a file cabinet.
The Pros and Cons of Predictive Maintenance
No guide to something as technical as predictive maintenance may be complete without discussing its pros and cons. Although beneficial, this isn’t to say that predictive maintenance is without flaws. It’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons while applying each to your company to ascertain whether or not it can truly work to your advantage.
Pros
- It improves the reliability of all your assets because you’re sure they’re functioning well and can be relied upon on days when production is on a roll to catch up with rising demand.
- It maximizes asset uptime.
- It optimizes the use of each machine’s spare parts.
Cons
- It may take a while before your team can get the hang of predictive maintenance.
- It requires familiarity with all the software and other applicable systems to run and function effectively.
- It may incur high upfront costs for your business.
How to Establish a Predictive Maintenance System
Ending this guide is a brief rundown on how you can effectively establish a predictive maintenance system. Some tips you can apply are as follows:
Always Start Small.
When you start small, you’re avoiding the likelihood of potential errors and mistakes when establishing your predictive maintenance system. You can have one or two assets first before employing preventive maintenance for the entire company.
Identify the Required Resources You’ll Need.
The key categories of the necessary resources to establish a predictive maintenance system are training, labor, materials, and technology.
Create Machine-Learning Algorithms.
These exact algorithms you create are what you can use to help you predict any potential equipment failure before it even occurs.
Conclusion
Unexpected breakdowns and machine failure can be a bummer in any business. This is especially true in the manufacturing industry. It can have a devastating effect on the company due to breakdowns and production delays, and even issues with delivery and shipment. It’s also a pressing matter regarding customer service and business profitability.
This is the reason why applying predictive maintenance is crucial. The guide presented here should give you a good heads-up on how predictive maintenance can serve your businesses in many ways.
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