Preventive approaches are becoming increasingly important in maintenance. Preventive maintenance enables industrial companies to improve the efficiency of their production processes and avoid expensive downtime. Carsten Müller, Managing Director of ESW, explains how to make the switch from reactive to preventive maintenance: "There are a few important steps to consider when making the switch. The transition can be managed effectively with the help of structured measures and modern technologies." ESW is introducing digital tools such as QR codes for its customers. These make it easier to handle maintenance logs and documentation and support maintenance teams in establishing efficient working methods.
Focus on critical machines
According to Müller, however, preventive maintenance also requires adjustments and further developments in order to meet actual operating conditions and changing requirements. The changeover begins with an analysis of all previous maintenance processes and costs. Identifying susceptible machines, maintenance costs and exact downtimes helps to clearly define the pain points of the reactive approach.
Preferred maintenance intervals for critical machines
"Once this step is complete, preventive maintenance begins where potential failures have the greatest impact on production and quality," says Müller. Critical machines are given priority maintenance intervals and extended inspection steps. With target-oriented maintenance plans, the frequency of breakdowns is reduced and companies can extend the service life of their central machines.
QR codes as a secret weapon
Digital technologies such as sensors and IoT systems enable precise monitoring of your own machines in real time and prevent unexpected breakdowns by detecting deviations at an early stage. Combined with QR codes placed on each machine, maintenance staff on site can quickly access detailed logs and instructions. The QR codes give each technician immediate access to maintenance-related information and machine history via their mobile device.