Within automotive paint shops, millions of dollars in downtime costs can be attributed to fan failures. Eyes-and-ears maintenance practices and dedicated routes are not enough to predict failures, even due to common issues like fan imbalance.
When issues are caught early enough, simple maintenance practices like cleaning fan blades and replacing discharge cones can save the entire asset from failing and causing unplanned downtime.
There are several inherent challenges related to monitoring paint exhaust and supply fans.
When simple maintenance practices like impeller cleaning or cone replacement are not maintained over time, it can create common problems like fan imbalance.
Even when these practices are implemented, maintenance errors can create asset damage. Example: improperly balancing healthy equipment for the sake of maintaining a route.
Some automotive plants follow a preventative maintenance route where fans should be balanced and inspected. However, it is also possible that this maintenance causes more damage due to a lack of standardization across paint fans.
By implementing KCF continuous machine monitoring, it is possible to not only track asset health over time, but also ensure that preventive maintenance is done correctly. This allows for company-wide standardization across plants as well as documenting maintenance practices in SMARTdiagnostics.
I am excited to drive change in partnership with you, find new efficiencies, take on complex challenges, and increase uptime across the Ford network while making your team's work life more engaging and fulfilling. Please contact me to discuss your unique asset challenges!