If your pneumatic conveying system goes down unexpectedly, the costs can mount up quickly. That’s why you should build preventive maintenance into your operational routine.
Specialists in pneumatic conveying, like www.aptech.uk.com/pneumatic-conveying-systems can give you professional advice, but here are three practices you should adopt to improve your troubleshooting.
Recognise the warning signs
It’s impossible to prevent gradual wear, but if you spot the signs early you can fix small problems before they turn into big ones. Some of the obvious clues are increased throughput time, reduced accuracy in dosing, leaks in joints or tubing and rising pressure in the system. If you notice any of these, you should carry out an immediate inspection and review your maintenance schedule.
Follow the instructions
Keep your OEM manual handy. It gives you essential information on how frequently you should perform maintenance and replace parts, as well as the skills and duties required of your technicians. It also tells you which spare parts you should keep in stock, especially components that take time to source, such as blowers and solenoid valves.
Regular inspection and replacement
Inspect and replace parts regularly. Before each shift, your operators should check for clogs and damage, confirm the pressure of the seals and temperature of the blowers every day and inspect the valves weekly. Once a month, filters and grease seals should be cleaned, while you should conduct an annual inspection of the whole system, replacing worn seals, screens and gaskets.
Preventive maintenance can significantly extend the life of your pneumatic conveying system, minimising unexpected failures and production loss.
