Navigating the Challenges of Obsolete Equipment
Obsolete repairs are machinery assets that are no longer produced by manufacturers. When this occurs, this means that acquiring replacement parts is challenging. Neutronic strives in repairing obsolete parts, we aim to find a solution to all manufacturing faults.
Challenges of Obsolete Repairs:
Repairing obsolete parts can be challenging and costly for businesses, due to the time and knowledge required to complete the repairs. 4 reasons why manufacturing companies find obsolescence a challenge:
1) Shortage of replacement parts: sourcing the replacement components may be a challenge or impossible, this can limit the success of getting the part back up and running.
2) Technical Expertise: The knowledge of the engineers is important to think of alternative solutions, or to be familiar with the issue which has occurred.
3) Compatibility Issues: Testing equipment limits the accessibility to fix the damaged components and fully run test the obsolete repair.
4) Cost: Completing the repair may cost more, due to the cost of the components required to complete the repair. Suppliers will increase prices of parts as they know they are desirable for certain obsolete repairs.
Longevity of Obsolete Equipment
Familiarity within a workshop is important, once your employees are trained on software, it is efficient to keep this implemented for simplicity within the workplace. This helps to minimise the need to retrain your staff on new equipment.
Repairing the faulty part is often a quicker solution to ordering a replacement. Lead times can fluctuate throughout the year and could be a limitation to replacing the faulty part, consideration of repairs is a suggested solution.
The lifespan of machinery can be extended when repaired correctly. Identifying faults early can be resolved and can improve the efficiency of the machinery parts for future use.
Why does Obsolescence occur?
The main reasons as to why parts become obsolete is because of technological developments and compatibility issues within the industry, and the requirements to meet new needs. This is common within the industry as machinery is built for longevity, which can become challenging as parts will become obsolete before the end of the machinery lifespan.
Obsolescence also may also occur due to Government regulations which must be followed, for example environmental or energy regulations. Manufacturers may also stop production of a part due to new models which provide better capabilities to their customers.
How can you reduce unexpected breakdowns?
Regular maintenance is a key management system to minimise the unexpected downtime of machinery assets. Maintaining bearings, oil levels and components to OEM specifications helps to prolong the lifespan of assets, which is important when parts become obsolete.
Implementing a condition monitoring system onto your assets will help identify the first signs of faults. The system identifies anomalies and sends alerts to show when they need to be resolved, to improve the efficiency of the asset.
How can Neutronic support you with Obsolete Repairs?
Neutronic have extensive in-house testing equipment and experienced Engineers who can support customers with obsolete repairs. Familiarity is key to providing a quick solution to the problem. Once our engineers have identified the issue, we will consider the cost of replacement and repairing, to see which is the best option. If the part is beyond economical repair, Neutronic can support you with supplying a replacement.
