When machinery breaks, it can sometimes cost companies thousands. Not only do you have to pay for repairs/replacements, it’s possible there may be downtime caused by certain machines breaking. Here’s how you can spend less on repairs and lower costs for your business.
Invest in good quality technology
Cheaper machinery is often built more cheaply and therefore wears out more quickly. If you want a machine that lasts, you often have to pay a premium price for it. This isn’t always the case – there are budget machines out there that are just as well made. The best way to judge a machine’s reliability is to read reviews online. There are commercial product review sites where you’ll find reviews on everything from industrial printers to commercial coffee machines.
Weigh up the value of insurance
In many cases, it’s possible to opt for a warranty or take out a separate equipment insurance scheme to keep your machinery protected. This could entitle you to free repairs if something breaks. Insurance is recommended for high-value machinery or equipment in which there’s a high risk of damage.
Learn to do your own repairs
There may be times when you can save money on repairs by fixing machines yourself. There are many sites that sell parts such as current sense resistors and you can always use tutorials on sites like Youtube to help you. Doing your own repairs may not always be feasible and you should carefully consider your own ability.
Keep machinery regularly serviced
Almost all machinery can benefit from being serviced – this can help you to spot faults early before they evolve into something costly. An air conditioning unit or a complex computer may require a professional in order to repair it, but there may be other appliances that can service yourself. Machinery may come with a handbook that teaches you how to check for faults – ensure that this is done regularly.
Encourage employees to record faults
If you’ve got employees working for you, encourage them to speak up whenever there’s a fault with a machine. Certain faults could go ignored and get worse – what may have once been cheap repairs could evolve into an expensive job. Each machine could have a handbook for recording faults or you could have a collective noticeboard or online forum for recording whenever there is a fault.
Use analytics to predict faults
Many modern machines now have smart sensors that can monitor when a part is getting worn and warn you of this. You may even be able to get reports up that allow you to predict wear and tear yourself. These machines are likely to be investments that cost a lot more than your basic machine. Some companies are able to retrofit old machines with smart sensors – however this is still pioneering technology and it may work out just as affordable to buy a new machine with in-built smart analytics features.
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