Machine Maintenance

Machine maintenance tends to be the non-existence aspect of recent trips.  By this we are talking about gauges not working, platens not clean, and the overall operation of the machine being suspect.

In most shops the fact of maintenance is non-existent and much like the refrigerator at home as long as parts come out or the soda is cold everyone is happy. However, let it produce bad parts or the soda is not as cold as would like and there are problems. Every thing is called out in the manual from the manufacture. All it takes is to follow the program they have in the book.  In fact, if the schedule is not called out, why not call the manufacture and get one.  Is it going to cost moneys, yes, yet in the end the savings are tremendous.

Areas that people should be doing on the floor may include all or some of the following:
1- cleaning of the platens
2- oiling / greasing of the ways, tie bars, sled
3- monitoring of the heats
4- monitoring of oil temperature
5- safety switches
6- noting any problems with the press
7- cleanliness of the press
8- operation of the press,  (relates to #6)
 

In areas of technical expertise what is the calibration program, filter cleaning, oil filtration, sampling program.  Is the press set up to be tested with calibrated gauges?
Does maintenance exist and if so do they use any program to monitor and maintain the presses? Currently there are numerous programs on the market that will detail the maintenance schedule.

The point is that if the press is not operating properly then how do people expect to get the same quality parts all the time. The press needs to be maintained it costs money not to have it running or to be malfunctioning on every 20th shot.  If the gauges don't work how do people know where they are?

Thanks for the time.

STEVEN L SILVEY
Sr. Technical Service
General Polymers Division
Ashland Distribution