How To Reduce Downtime In Manufacturing

When Tooling Breaks ...

Downtime in manufacturing can be very costly. One way to reduce downtime is by investing in preventative maintenance. Another way to minimise downtime is by ensuring that all tooling has a healthy life expectancy. This can be accomplished by employing the right materials and conducting routine tool inspections. Let’s take a look at this in more detail.

how to reduce downtime in manufacturing

Causes of Downtime in Manufacturing

Downtime in the manufacturing industry is a frequent issue that can cause production delays and lost revenue. The causes of downtime are varied and range from human error to machinery failure. Downtime in manufacturing can be caused by many factors, such as human error or machinery failure. To avoid downtime, manufacturers have implemented various tools and technologies to increase productivity and efficiency.

How To Avoid Excessive Downtime When Tooling Breaks

Tools breaking is a common problem that arises when manufacturers are trying to produce more with less resources. The best way to prevent downtime from occurring is by implementing a system that can automatically restart the tooling in case of a break. The downtime can be costly for the manufacturer, and it can also cause production delays. Here are some options that can help you.

African engineer or worker checking and fixing machine in robot factory

Perform Risk Audits

Risk audits are a way to identify and address any potential threats to the organisation’s assets. They are conducted by an internal or external party and typically involve the identification of risk, prioritisation, mitigation, and documentation. It can also help to prevent any accidents to workers, as well as ensure that the quality is still high and that no outages take place. You can anticipate potential issues with a risk audit, ensuring that you are prepared for downtime.

Schedule The Test And Maintenance Regularly

It is a common practice for manufacturers to test their tools regularly. This is done to ensure that the tools are in good condition and also to detect any potential problems before they become serious. Manufacturers have to schedule the maintenance of their equipment on a regular basis. This ensures that the equipment is functioning well and also prevents unwanted downtime due to unexpected breakdowns.

Outsource Some Parts of The Production Process

Another option is to outsource some areas of your work. Outsourcing production to a third party can help businesses save time, money, and resources. It can also prevent downtime. Outsourcing production to a third party is not a new concept, but it is gaining more traction in the current digital era. Outsourcing production process has been around for decades and can mean that some output is taking place should you experience downtime internally.

Do Documentation

There are a few benefits of keeping documentation for manufacturing equipment. One advantage is that it ensures that the equipment is always up-to-date and operational. Another is that it helps in reducing the risk of failure.

The more documentation you have, the easier it will be to locate what you require when you require it. It also helps in reducing the risk of accidents and injuries. The documentation can also be used as an effective training tool for new employees or as a reference when troubleshooting problems with the equipment.

Bellcliffe Engineering offers a variety of mill refurbishment services in the event that tools break and for any routine maintenance. Please feel free to contact us if you need assistance or advice from our knowledgeable team.