Preventive maintenance, what to know and how to take action

Regular maintenance is key to increasing productivity and profitability. It is strategic to avoid costly and damaging downtime. Industries such as robotics and automation require a properly trained workforce, given the extreme complexity and variety of programming languages or software programs. Over the past decade, several academic projects have tried to produce a standard programming language for robots. The latter has never been widely adopted, as robot manufacturers have continued to develop their languages to gain a technological advantage over competitors. Plc technology may help manufacturers by preventing management issues. If the PLC controls the the whole system, a comprehensive platform including hardware and software will eliminate any interfacing difficulties.

Maintenance, some frequent issues

The robot manipulator arm represents the mechanical unit, consisting of a fabricated structural frame supported by mechanical links and joints, guides, linear or rotary actuators, control valves, and sensors. Robot programming after their arm replacement occur is a hazard that mechanics face on the job. To ensure maximum freedom of movement, it is important to inspect joints and gears for action through lubrication or replacement of any overused components. Thus, maintenance and security are priority tasks through several checks on protection devices such as safety mats. The robot should stop working when emergency buttons are pressed. Check for any leaks or damage, such as dents, that impair performance. Thorough inspection allows the detection of hydraulic fluid leaks or damage to cables and hoses.

Frequency and deadlines

Repair and replacement are a must-do. Sometimes routine operations are enough to prevent worse trouble, including cleaning sensors. Sensor cleaning, chamber cleaning, and robot scanner cleaning prevent debris from building up. We take action if sensors are not secured or cables are not intact. The above-mentioned trained staff monitors the movement of the machines within the location by carrying out tests on the remote control Since nobody wants to rely on defective machines with faulty components, it is important to stick to a schedule. Arms, actuators, cables, and hoses are pivotal for specific maintenance activities, such as sensor calibration, and robot braking systems. Monthly Tests on power supply avoid dangerous outcomes such as overheating.

Preventive maintenance vs. reactive maintenance

Proper maintenance needs promptness, regular updates, and timely training of personnel specialized in activities crucial to keeping parameters high and activating safety devices. The system is effective when a trained team word takes into account risk analysis, and then carries out scheduling as well as maintenance activities. Ordinary operations generally lead to extraordinary results such as highly efficient performance of the whole system. System downtime is the enemy of accuracy and speed. Any lacking, inadequate attempt to calibrate or lubricate the machine may cause damage that staff struggles to correct through reactive maintenance interventions. The latter, as opposed to preventive interventions, is often costly and results in inevitable delays on the production line. Small interventions are enough to extend the life of components and sensors. Thus, action is taken in favor of worker safety, to avoid collisions, malfunctions, and, therefore, often irreparable damage.

Beyond maintenance: Parts availability and self-diagnosis.

When all components are in good condition, the reduced margin of error goes hand in hand with improved efficiency and safety. The software and hardware work reliably to perform programmed tasks exactly as planned. In addition to maintenance, critical is self-diagnostic capability to reduce downtime. Some robot controllers have sufficient capacity for computational power, memory efficiency, and input-output ingenuity to also function as system controllers and manage many other machines and processes. Of course, even the operation and maintenance of the most sophisticated devices require spare parts availability, without which the goals cannot be hit. Therefore, the advice is to assess their availability to avoid the costly imported parts.