By Pieter du Plessis, Group Product Engineer at Welding Alloys
Keeping an eye on the wellbeing of your equipment and machines can greatly improve your sustainability efforts.
For example, having preventative maintenance schedules in place can lead to up to 20% savings in raw material usage, as well as a 30% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.
So, if you’re actively trying to become more eco-conscious in your operations, what value can preventative maintenance bring to the table?
Welding Alloys, an expert in cladding and hardfacing applications, looks at the importance of minimizing equipment downtime to ensure energy is used as efficiently as possible.
Pieter du Plessis, group product engineer at Welding Alloys, explained, “When comparing the energy requirements of replacement versus the maintenance and repair of components, it is always more beneficial to adhere to preventative maintenance when aiming to improve sustainability goals.”
Wear on Parts and Components
Many parts and components of machinery experience continuous friction, heat, and stress during operation and will gradually wear out over time.
As part of an effective preventative maintenance strategy, these require inspection, maintenance, and repair to delay or avoid costly replacement.
Pieter du Plessis, group product engineer at Welding Alloys, explained, “Well-maintained machinery tends to consume less energy as everything is ticking as it should. In turn, this will significantly lower your carbon emissions and leave you with a more affordable bill at the end of the month.”
Energy Efficiency
One of the advantages of keeping your machinery in order is that it can improve your energy efficiency.
“Performing constant maintenance checks on your tools and equipment will allow your assets to always operate at the height of their efficiency,” said du Plessis.
du Plessis continued, “It’s also worth noting that preventative maintenance to reduce downtime can actively help with resource conservation. Any inefficiencies and hiccups in your processes can waste lots of precious energy, as your assets will need to work twice as hard to overcome the fault and keep operating as usual.
Equipment Longevity
Looking at the condition of your tools will no doubt increase their life expectancy.
From regular inspections to cleaning and timely repairs, preventative maintenance measures allow you to identify issues before they escalate into bigger, more troublesome problems.
This means that you can monitor your equipment’s health and tackle any hazards on the spot, which will then favor optimal longevity and reduce the need for frequent, expensive purchases.
In this respect, extending the lifespan of your machinery will cut your wastage levels, too.
For example, regularly replacing worn-out tools with brand-new assets can generate significant waste, putting a dent in your sustainability efforts.
Employee Training
Educating your staff about the impact of downtime on the environment might encourage them to review the performance of their own tools, too.
Fostering a culture of sustainability within the business is a crucial step to make preventative maintenance a priority task on everyone’s agenda. This will empower workers to contribute to the company’s eco-friendly goals, as they will feel the responsibility to promote sustainable behaviors in their operations.
If you’re in a senior position, provide your co-workers with training sessions on maintenance and environmental best practices. With all the right resources and knowledge, they are more likely to embrace an eco-conscious mindset and play an active role in preventing energy-consuming downtime.
Reduced Emissions and Water Consumption
Preventative maintenance help can minimize emissions and aid to lessen your carbon footprint.
Underperforming machineries tend to emit higher levels of pollutants, affecting the wellbeing of your surroundings.
Conversely, well-maintained equipment is more likely to operate in a clean, effective fashion. By monitoring your machinery’s health and performance, you can avoid leaks, spills, and other malfunctions that could harm the environment.
What’s more, preventative maintenance can help minimize water consumption, too.
Every day, just under three billion liters of water, equivalent to 1,180 Olympic swimming pools, are lost due to leaks.
However, by monitoring your tools on a regular basis, you can identify and rectify any problems causing water leaks and ensure they’re adequately conserved to drive your operations forward.
From improving your business’s energy efficiency to extending your equipment’s longevity, there are many ways in which preventative maintenance can support your sustainability efforts.
By checking the condition of your assets consistently, rather than when the damage is done, you can minimize downtime, save money on expensive repairs, and make a difference in the overall health of your surroundings.
Guilliaume Roeckel is a Global Machines Sales Director at Welding Alloys.
Lift & Access is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
