Maximizing Machine Potential: Unleashing Optimal Performance and Efficiency through Effective Maintenance

Large enterprises rely on a vast array of machinery to keep their operations running smoothly. From production lines to data centers, these machines are essential to the success of the business.

However, machinery can be expensive to purchase and maintain. That's why it's important for large enterprises to have a comprehensive machine maintenance plan in place.

In this post, we will delve into the types of machine maintenance, how to choose the right maintenance strategy for each piece of equipment.  

Types of machine maintenance

There are four main types of machine maintenance:

• Preventive maintenance: This type of maintenance is performed on a regular schedule, even if there are no apparent problems with the machine. It involves inspecting the machine for wear and tear and making repairs or replacements as needed. Preventive maintenance can help to prevent major failures, which can be costly and disruptive.
• Corrective maintenance: This type of maintenance is performed when a machine breaks down. It involves diagnosing the problem and making the necessary repairs. Corrective maintenance is typically more expensive than preventive maintenance, but it is sometimes necessary to keep a machine running.
• Condition-based maintenance: This type of maintenance is based on the condition of the machine. Sensors are used to monitor the machine for signs of wear and tear, and maintenance is performed based on the results of these measurements. Condition-based maintenance can help to reduce the frequency of unnecessary repairs while still keeping the machine in good working order.
• Predictive maintenance: This type of maintenance uses data analysis to predict when a machine is likely to fail. Maintenance is then performed before the failure occurs, which can help to prevent downtime and costly repairs. Predictive maintenance is the most advanced type of maintenance, but it also requires the most sophisticated data analysis tools.

In addition to the four main types of maintenance, there are a number of other factors that large enterprises should consider when developing a machine maintenance plan.

These factors include:

• The criticality of the machine: Some machines are more critical to the operation of the business than others. These machines should be given a higher priority for maintenance.
• The age of the machine: Older machines are more likely to require more maintenance than newer machines.
• The environment in which the machine is used: Machines that are used in harsh environments, such as those that are exposed to dust or moisture, may require more frequent maintenance.

Planning the right maintenance strategies for your machines

The importance of planning machine maintenance, especially for large portfolios, cannot be overstated.

Here are some of the key benefits of planning machine maintenance for large portfolios:

• Prevent unplanned downtime: Unplanned downtime can be costly and disruptive to a business. By planning machine maintenance, businesses can help to prevent these outages by identifying and addressing potential problems before they occur.
• Reduce operating costs: Machine maintenance can help to reduce operating costs by minimizing the need for repairs and replacements. Preventive maintenance helps to identify and fix small problems before they become major issues, which can save businesses a lot of money in the long run.
• Improve overall productivity: A well-maintained machine is more likely to operate efficiently and produce high-quality output. This can lead to improved productivity and profitability for businesses.

A well-planned machine maintenance program helps prevents unplanned downtime, reduce operating costs, and improve overall productivity.

To determine the appropriate maintenance strategy, consider these four questions:

1. Do the total failure costs outweigh maintenance costs?
2. Does each task target a specific failure mode?
3. Does it address failure at the optimal point?
4. Is it the most cost-effective and efficient option for that failure mode?

Best practices for optimizing machine maintenance

Whether you're starting fresh or upgrading to more advanced types of maintenance management strategies, there are a few things you should do to develop the best possible plan and get the most out of your investments.  

• Start by assessing your current maintenance practices: What types of maintenance are you currently performing? How often are you performing maintenance? Who is responsible for maintenance?
• Develop a maintenance plan based on your assessment: Your plan should outline the types of maintenance that will be performed, the frequency of maintenance, and the responsible parties.
• Invest in a maintenance management software: A maintenance management software can help you to track maintenance tasks, schedule repairs, and generate reports.
• Train your employees on maintenance procedures: Your employees should be trained on how to perform basic maintenance tasks, as well as how to identify and report problems.
• Use high-quality parts: Using high-quality parts can help to extend the life of a machine and reduce the need for repairs.
• Document all maintenance activities: This documentation can help you to track the history of a machine and identify any trends that may need to be addressed.

Religiously recording maintenance activities will also help you set up and implement maintenance strategies like predictive maintenance using machine learning (ML), which relies on high-quality data to accurately predict impending failures, their reasons, and preventive measures.

Using a CMMS to optimize machine maintenance at scale

A CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) software is a game-changer for maintenance operations.

It centralizes maintenance information, optimizing the utilization and availability of physical assets like machinery, vehicles, and plant infrastructures.

Further, it helps:

• Streamline management, organization, scheduling, data entry, and reporting to save valuable time.
• Boost reliability and prolong equipment lifespan through asset management, tracking, and analysis.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and safety standards by standardizing maintenance across teams and worksites.
• Optimize maintenance tasks and enhance equipment management for improved operational efficiency.

With a CMMS solution like Facilio, you gain a powerful platform to streamline and automate maintenance tasks, from reactive to preventive and predictive maintenance.

Why Facilio when there's no lack of CMMS vendors out there?

Hear it from Hateim Ibraheem, the Property Operations Manager at IDC Brookfield:

We imagined & designed ICD Brookfield Place to be a new benchmark in the geography for sustainability, customer experience, well-being, and technology utilization.

We invested in state-of-the-art materials and technology to future-proof the building. We needed a cutting-edge Centralized Property Management Platform to maintain and run in that way.

We'd love to help your organization achieve operational excellence. Tell us about your maintenance priorities over a quick call, and we'll get solving for you right away!