Industrial Equipment Winterization: What Manufacturers Should Check Before Cold Weather
As temperatures begin to drop, manufacturers and industrial facilities have more to think about than turning up the heat.
Cold weather can affect equipment performance, materials, lubrication, hydraulics and other components throughout a facility. For maintenance teams, October is a good time to evaluate critical equipment and address potential problems before winter conditions arrive.
A winterization plan doesn’t have to mean a major overhaul. In many cases, it starts with identifying equipment that deserves closer attention and taking care of smaller issues before they become production problems.
Start With the Equipment That Matters Most
Every facility has equipment that production simply can’t afford to be without.
Motors, conveyors, hydraulic equipment, material handling systems and other critical machinery should be reviewed before winter arrives.
Look for signs of:
- Excessive vibration
- Unusual noise
- Worn bearings
- Leaks
- Loose or damaged components
- Lubrication problems
- Alignment issues
- Components that have been operating outside normal conditions
Identifying these issues during a planned inspection is much easier than dealing with them during an unexpected shutdown.
Don’t Overlook Bearings and Lubrication
Bearings are critical to the operation of many types of industrial equipment. Wear, contamination, inadequate lubrication and other problems can eventually lead to equipment failure.
Changing temperatures can also make existing problems more noticeable.
Maintenance teams should review lubrication requirements and inspect bearings and other rotating components as part of their seasonal maintenance planning.
If a bearing is already showing signs of wear, waiting until it fails can turn a relatively manageable maintenance issue into a much larger repair.
Check Alignment and Vibration
Equipment alignment is another area that deserves attention.
Misalignment can contribute to vibration, premature wear and reduced equipment performance. Northwest Installations’ millwright services include precision alignment because properly positioned equipment is an important part of reliable operation.
A seasonal inspection provides an opportunity to look at equipment that may have developed alignment or vibration issues during the year.
The goal isn’t simply to keep equipment running. It’s to keep it running correctly.
Give Conveyor Systems a Closer Look
Conveyors are another critical part of many manufacturing operations.
Belts, rollers, bearings, tracking and other components should be inspected for signs of wear or developing problems.
A small conveyor issue may not seem significant at first, but when a conveyor is part of a larger production process, a failure can quickly affect other areas of the operation.
Northwest Installations provides conveyor installation, repair, maintenance and inspection services to help keep material moving efficiently.
Take Advantage of Planned Downtime
One of the best opportunities to address maintenance issues is during a scheduled shutdown.
If equipment already needs repair, alignment, relocation or modification, planning that work around scheduled downtime can help minimize the impact on production.
It also gives maintenance and engineering teams an opportunity to coordinate the work, identify necessary materials and make sure the right equipment and skilled labor are available.
Planned downtime is easier to manage than unplanned downtime.
Winter Preparation Is Really About Reliability
Preparing industrial equipment for winter isn’t simply about protecting machinery from cold temperatures.
It’s about entering the winter months with equipment that has been inspected, maintained and evaluated for potential problems.
Addressing worn components, alignment issues, conveyor problems and other maintenance concerns before they become failures can help facilities improve reliability and reduce the risk of unexpected downtime.
Northwest Installations has provided millwright, mechanical, industrial repair, fabrication and conveyor services to manufacturers throughout Northwest Ohio for nearly four decades.
Before winter arrives, take a look at the equipment your operation depends on most.
A little planning now can help keep your facility moving when the temperatures drop.
Northwest Installations, Inc.
Millwright & Mechanical Services | Northwest Ohio