One of the biggest complaints we hear from job shops is that machine tending robots come with a hefty price tag up front. But, what if you could extend the lifespan of your robot? Then, you’d see a greater ROI, right? While machine tending robots are an investment for any job shop, they also require a bit of work to make sure that investment pays off in the long run.
Machine tending robots don’t last forever, but with proper care and upkeep, they can function for many years, so your team can continue to produce high quality machined parts without running into significant damage or issues from your equipment.
The Importance of Proactive CNC Machine Tending Robot Maintenance
You take care of your car, your home, your clothes, and just about everything you own on a regular basis. With regular upkeep, these items last longer and are less likely to break down overtime. The same is true for machine tending robots.
For job shops and manufacturing businesses relying on CNC machines, having machine tending robots function at their peak is essential to maintain production goals and meet customer demand. When robots operate at optimal levels, they contribute to seamless operations, higher-quality outputs, and ultimately help businesses remain competitive.
By regularly inspecting and servicing machine tending robots, manufacturing businesses can avoid unexpected breakdowns that could disrupt production, leading to costly downtime and delays in meeting customer demands. Preventive care also helps identify and address issues early on, preventing small problems from escalating into significant repairs or replacements. Without regular maintenance, issues could go unnoticed for a while, leading to bigger, and costlier, performance problems down the line.
Wear and tear is normal, but excessive damage is preventable. Eventually, after as much as 100,000 hours of use, it might be time to replace your robots rather than repair. But, investing in preventive care throughout the robot’s life will maximize its productive years and ensure it consistently supports your business goals.
8 CNC Machine Tending Robot Maintenance Tips
The typical lifespan of machine tending robots is impressive, often spanning as much as a decade, but this longevity is contingent on proper preventive maintenance. Luckily, with the help of these tips, it’s easy to keep your machine running in top condition for many years.
1. Understand the manufacturer's maintenance schedule
Once you purchase a machine tending robot, you’re not going to be left high and dry. The manufacturers of these robots provide comprehensive manuals so job shops can effectively use their new equipment. In these manuals there will be information about recommended maintenance and upkeep.
For instance, in your manual, you can expect to find a recommended maintenance schedule tailored to the robot’s design and components. Following this schedule is crucial, as it includes specific intervals for inspections, part replacements, and adjustments. By adhering to the manufacturer’s guidelines, you’re ensuring that maintenance is timely and that the robot is always kept within its optimal operating parameters, reducing the likelihood of unexpected malfunctions.
2. Conduct regular cleaning of robotic components
Let’s be honest, the factory floor isn’t always the cleanest place to be. Dirt, dust, and debris from normal day-to-day use can accumulate on and within machine tending robots, affecting their performance.
As a result, establishing a weekly, monthly, and quarterly cleaning routine is essential. Weekly cleanings can focus on wiping down exposed parts, while monthly maintenance might involve cleaning internal components, replacing batteries and checking coolant levels. On a quarterly basis, you may turn to the help of a mechanic or technician to ensure all parts are in working order. Keeping the robot clean prevents buildup that can lead to overheating or mechanical failures, thus maintaining smooth operation.
3. Monitor and replace parts that are prone to wear
Some parts, such as belts and gears, undergo significant wear due to repeated use. Regularly inspecting these high-wear parts and replacing them as needed will prevent sudden breakdowns that could disrupt production.
Additionally, it’s important to regularly conduct a visual inspection of your robots to see if there are any noticeable damages, including dents, leaks, or missing bolts. Keeping an eye on these issues will allow operators to make quick adjustments as needed.
4. Conduct software updates
Machine tending robots rely on complex software to execute precise tasks. Regular software updates provided by the manufacturer often include new features or performance improvements. So, keeping the robot’s software up-to-date ensures that it continues to operate efficiently, with access to the latest functionalities. But, as a precautionary measure, don’t forget to backup any configurations before updating.
5. Make calibration and precision adjustments
Over time, your machine tending robot may experience slight deviations in precision due to usage and environmental factors. This, if left unchecked, can impact the quality of the items produced in industries that require a high level of accuracy, such as medical devices or aerospace.
To combat this, regularly calibrating the robot ensures it maintains its accuracy, which is crucial for tasks that require exact positioning. Calibration adjustments help prevent minor misalignments from impacting production quality or causing wear to other components.
6. Conduct ongoing staff training
While machine tending robots work autonomously, there’s still some assistance required from operators to program functions and check components. For maintenance purposes, operators also need to understand the machine’s functions and nuances. Conducting ongoing training for staff ensures they can perform routine maintenance, operate the robot safely, and identify early signs of potential issues.
Additionally, empowering operators to troubleshoot on their own minimizes downtime and keeps operations running smoothly without needing to wait for assistance from an outside technician. Moreover, regular training ensures compliance with industry safety standards, especially when new safety protocols or regulations are introduced.
7. Maintain continuous monitoring of robot performance
A large benefit from automated machine tending and Industry 4.0 is the emphasis on data to inform operations. Tracking key performance metrics (like cycle time, efficiency, overall equipment effectiveness, and error rates) helps identify patterns or deviations from normal performance. Continuous monitoring allows you to catch and address small issues before they escalate into major failures. Modern robots often come with built-in sensors or software for real-time performance tracking, making it easier to implement this ongoing oversight.
8. Consult the manufacturer when needed
For complex issues or when performance problems persist, it’s beneficial to consult the manufacturer. Manufacturers have in-depth knowledge of the robot’s design and can provide specialized support or advanced troubleshooting techniques. Promptly reaching out to the manufacturer can prevent prolonged downtime and ensure repairs are performed to factory standards.
By following these maintenance tips, you’ll keep your machine tending robots functioning at their best, ensuring that your CNC operations remain efficient and productive over the long term.
The Key to Longevity for Your CNC Machine Tending Robot
Ultimately, the trick to extend the longevity of your machine tending robot is to keep it in good condition. This requires establishing routine maintenance checks and working with your operators to ensure that all issues, even minor ones, are addressed appropriately.
When faced with faulty components or a build up of debris, it’s important that these issues are taken care of right away, so they don’t grow into larger problems. But, if you ever need an extra hand with CNC machine tending robot maintenance, you can always reach out to the Automation Within Reach team.
Whether you’re using a DC series, RC series, or RCX series machine tending robot, you can refer to the manual that came with your equipment. But, you can also refer to any of the documents available to you to help you get the most out of your machine. And, if you’re still looking for some extra guidance on proper maintenance practices, reach out to an automation expert anytime.
To learn more about our range of automated machine tending solutions, or for extra information about your machine, get in touch with our team today!
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