Maintenance is the ongoing struggle to keep machines running reliably and efficiently, while offsetting unintended setbacks and downtime. Much of maintenance is preventive and proactive, which means putting in work ahead of time. Smart manufacturers realize this direct example of cause and effect, which forms the support system for a total productive maintenance (TPM) approach….
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After more than a year of construction, Chicago-based Boeing is set to unveil their finishing plant in Zhoushan, China. To commemorate the occasion, the company finished production on a 737 MAX jet – the prominent model planned to come out of the plant – and delivered it to Air China. The plant intends to…
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There are many ways to ensure your equipment is well-maintained. Having qualified personnel, sticking to a rigid maintenance plan, and even adopting operator accountability are all good starts. But more important than any of these initiatives is keeping your staff well-educated. Here are three important steps you can take right now to initiate better execution…
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Unlike AC motors, DC motors require much more from a maintenance crew to properly keep running. But how does one quickly spot for problems in a DC motor without tearing it down unnecessarily? Here are few tips, using only basic inspection methods, to root out some probable issues that need addressing. How does the commutator…
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Proactive maintenance should be a swift, decisive solution to prevent mechanical failure. To execute it effectively, you need an equally decisive method of determining when it’s applicable. Many manufacturers rely on ultrasonic detectors or sensors to alert them to impending failures. Another among these robust tools — yet not as often utilized — is infrared…
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The November 2018 Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® is out, and with it come insights into one of the United States’ most talked about economic sectors. Recent ISM reports have been rocky and unpredictable, which makes the upswing portrayed in November’s report a welcome sight for many following the industry. Sentiments remain cautious, but optimistic….
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The new year is approaching, making this a perfect time to start setting up some goals for your company. Many businesses have had a lot of success using the SMART system for creating company goals. If you haven’t heard of SMART goals or haven’t been sure how to implement them, there’s no time like the…
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Maintaining temperatures on the production floor is always a concern, but it’s especially critical during the coldest months of the year. Machinery needs to run at consistent, safe temperatures, employees need to work in a comfortably warm space and you need to keep an eye on your energy bills during the uptick in heater usage….
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How much does a recall cost? There are varying dollar amounts you can put on the event itself, including the cost to repair faulty equipment, lost production time, materials, and labor. There’s even a cost incurred for disposing of recalled product. Be sure to add litigation costs to the list, as well. And let’s not…
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No manufacturing plant welcomes an OSHA audit. Even more dreaded than an audit, however, are findings during the course of an audit that violate OSHA codes and standards. Every manufacturer needs to consider their internal practices and standards very seriously to make it through an audit unscathed. But more than just surviving an audit, manufacturers…
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