No matter what your industry is, if your business involves using heavy machinery, then consistent maintenance is key. At Otahuhu Engineering, we work with companies from a variety of different sectors to establish maintenance schedules, tackle repairs quickly, and reduce downtime as much as possible.
Curious about ways to do the same for your business? Read on to discover what’s involved in machine and maintenance repair. We’ll also tackle how accessing consistent machine maintenance services Auckland-wide helps to ensure smooth operations for a broad range of businesses.
What is Involved in Machine Maintenance and Repair?
Let’s start by defining what’s included under that ‘maintenance and repairs’ umbrella. Generally speaking, any work that prevents or rectifies a breakdown is considered machine maintenance or repair, but there are a few specific instances it’s important to know about as a business owner.
Maintenance Contracts
The best way to keep your machinery and equipment in good working order is to carry out regular maintenance. Machines work all day with the same repetitive motion, and vulnerable parts can eventually give way to wear and tear.
Maintenance contracts involve entering into an agreement with a certified company providing machine maintenance services Auckland-wide. When we enter into these contracts, we become the go-to company for maintenance for that business.
From there, we establish a schedule of regular maintenance for different machines according to their needs.
On-Site Machining
When a breakdown occurs, it’s usually easier to work on the repair on-site rather than moving the machine. On-site machining involves doing repairs right then and there, completing the maintenance with portable equipment brought on-site.
Rather than transporting the machine or part off-site, we safely isolate and de-energise the part requiring a repair using lockouts (usually the same kind used for shift changes). This heavily reduces the amount of downtime.
Common on-site machining techniques include line boring, milling, and flange facing to reduce susceptibility to leaks.
Full-Spectrum Machinery Repairs
While general machine maintenance is the best prevention, occasionally, repairs will need to be made on the spot. That’s when it’s important to partner with a company that can provide full-spectrum machine repairs, no matter the type of machine you’re working with.
It’s vital that these repairs are completed as quickly as possible to reduce downtime on the floor. That’s why, at Otahuhu, we make a fast, dependable response our first priority.
Re-Engineering Services
If a machine has served one function and now needs to serve another function, re-engineering it to suit that purpose can be better than buying a whole new piece of equipment. Especially if the old machinery will become redundant with the new process.
Every single one of these services is necessary to keep your equipment running smoothly and efficiently. Without the right maintenance schedule and breakdown protocol, your business could experience machine failure, injury, and extensive downtime.
In fact, let’s take a moment now to review some of the benefits of investing in consistent machine maintenance.
The Benefits of Consistent Machine Maintenance
Increased Equipment Lifespan
In 2023, the machinery equipment and manufacturing industry collectively earned over $11 billion, making New Zealand business some of the highest spenders in the world when it comes to purchasing new machinery. In short, updating or replacing broken down machinery is incredibly expensive, not to mention the downtime.
Working with a professional to create a consistent machinery maintenance schedule will help your machinery last for as long as possible. Often, we see small problems that were missed become large, expensive ones that prompt a total replacement of the equipment. But with a careful inspection and basic maintenance on a regular schedule, you can keep your equipment humming for years to come.
Decreased Downtime
In the manufacturing industry alone, the average cost per hour of downtime is roughly $260,000. Unsurprisingly, that quickly adds up if a vital piece of machinery is put out of commission for a long time.
Consistent machine maintenance keeps everything running smoothly, ensuring you don’t lose valuable time, money, and productivity when you need it most.
Improved Safety
WorkSafe New Zealand identified that one of the most common reasons for workers being injured when working with machinery is the failure of supporting systems like pneumatic or hydraulic systems, which causes loss of pressure. In other words, a simple mechanical fault that can prompt major injury.
Business owners are responsible for the staff operating their machinery, and if an unfortunate injury is caused by faulty machinery, this can introduce liability into the equation. Consistent maintenance ensures your machinery is operating in peak condition, drastically reducing the chance that a worker will be injured by a simple mechanical fault.
Combined, these benefits all contribute to a safe, efficient, and productive business, which in turn contributes to your bottom line. Invest in high-quality machine maintenance services Auckland-wide to create a solid foundation for smooth operations!
Talk to the machine maintenance services Auckland team you can trust.
Minimise machinery downtime and help extend the life of your equipment with the expert team at Otahuhu Engineering.
Reach out to us today for high-quality machine maintenance services in Auckland.