In order for production robots to retain their optimal efficiency and functionality, these machines should be subjected to regular inspection and preventative maintenance. It’s worth noting that because robots must do their work within ordinarily predictable space and time limitations, maintaining them properly is an important part of keeping them safe for the people and equipment that must share a workspace with them.
Optimum performance of robots can be best maintained through regular and periodic preventive maintenance activity. Most figures are based on a 3,840 hour period of operating time, meaning that the average factory or production robot should undergo preventative maintenance after operating for that number of hours.
When you run a robot beyond this operating time frame, the proper maintenance frequencies are best to be calculated in proportion to the divergence between actual operating time and the aforementioned 3,840 hours. While any given type of production robot will require different maintenance procedures, it can be useful to run your maintenance shifts in accordance with the units which have the most frequent maintenance needs.
This can make the administration aspect of these tasks simpler than running a different schedule for each unit. You should refer to each robot’s “Mechanical Unit Maintenance Manual” as well as the “Electrical Unit Maintenance Manual” for more detailed maintenance descriptions for each mechanically unique unit.
Should you fail to provide regular preventive maintenance for your robotic machines you will be running the risk of experiencing the following issues:
- Position Deviation: The robot begins to function outside of intended perimeters.
- Repeatability Issues: The robot loses its ability to smoothly perform repetitive movements.
- Cable Damage: Wear and tear on power and data transmitting cords, wires, and cables.
- Loss of Programs: The breakdown of software, and the disruption of manufacturing processes.
- Safety Issues: Malfunctioning robots can fail to behave predictably, resulting in a risk of injury for your staff.
For more information about robot maintenance, contact Robot World for all your robot services and repairs today!
