A new year is synonymous with creating new financial and production goals, especially in the manufacturing world where small adjustments have big impacts.
To help you prioritize your compressed air system this year, we have made a list of practical tips to extend the lifespan of your current compressed air equipment.
1. Engage in a Routine Maintenance Plan
We include this point in many of our compressed air discussions because it really can’t be emphasized enough! The simplicity of sticking to a maintenance plan can save you thousands of dollars in preventable repairs, hours upon hours of unexpected downtime, and our latest point is that it can drastically increase the lifespan of your compressed air equipment!
For a deeper dive on your maintenance plan, check out this article we’ve published previously. But, some simple tips that your list should include are:
- Sample your compressed air lubricant quarterly
- Ongoing leak detection & repairs
- Keep your equipment environment clean
- Check that in-line filters aren’t clogged
2. Stay on Top of Your Air Quality
Compressed air must be clean and dry to prevent damage to the system and improve operational efficiency. Contaminants like dust, moisture, and oil can cause rust, filter clogs, and reduce the performance of your machinery.
While these tips could be sub-points of your maintenance plan, we’ve isolated them because sometimes the obvious can be easy to overlook.
- Install high-quality filtration systems
- Use a compressed air dryer to prevent moisture buildup
- Routinely inspect and replace air filters (hello, maintenance plan!)
3. Optimize Environmental Conditions
Sure, we know you can’t influence your local weather but you can control the environment in which your compressed air system operates. Excessive heat, humidity, or dust can accelerate wear and tear. Make sure that your equipment is housed in a clean, dry, and well-ventilated area to help maintain the correct operating and temperature and safety requirements.
And, to your facilities that have your compressed air equipment right next to your boiler: we implore you to reconsider.
4. Engage in a Compressed Air Audit Every 3-5 Years
It can be tempting to stand strictly by what you can observe with your own two eyes during your routine inspections.
However, a compressed air audit will benefit you in ways that y(our) beloved maintenance routine cannot. An audit can:
- Reveal hidden air leaks
- Expose incorrect pressure discharges
- Provide an opportunity to address energy inefficiencies
- Provide a specific plan-of-action to make immediate improvements
5. Utilize System Automation
When it comes to preserving the life of your equipment, system automation is an excellent inclusion. Automation ensures that your equipment is only providing the necessary energy to meet demand and reduces the occurrence of overworking your machinery. Not only can automation improve the longevity of your equipment by minimizing unnecessary run time, but it also makes your life way easier by doing the thinking for you.
CASE iZ is our #1 recommendation for automation and control of compressed air systems; their proven track record of drastically reducing carbon emissions is a major bonus too!
All in all, there are many practical things you can implement right away to increase the life of your compressed air equipment. Not all changes have to be major to improve your productivity but we can promise that all of them are majorly worth it!