Product category:
Bearings
News Release from: SKF UK | Subject: Integrated Maintenance Solution
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 08 November 2001
Maintenance contract cuts machine costs
SKF is now able to offer a comprehensive range of products and maintenance services which will allow manufacturers to fix the costs of a key element of maintenance without additional costs or risks
SKF has long recognised the requirement to maximise machine service life and is now able to offer a comprehensive range of products and maintenance services, known as an SKF Integrated Maintenance Solution (IMS) contract Co-ordinated by SKF Service, the company's dedicated maintenance unit, IMS will allow manufacturers to fix the costs of a key element of maintenance, while at the same time gain improvements in plant up-time, and therefore productivity, without additional costs or risks
Furthermore, machine life cycle costs will be reduced and maintenance staff may be redeployed to other proactive plant improvements.
Every IMS contract is unique, tailored to a client's specific plant requirements.
At the outset, an assessment/audit evaluates the true costs incurred for component consumption and supply, the critical problem areas for plant reliability, the current maintenance practices and organisation effectiveness, as well as the key business goals for the plant/site in the future.
Areas for improvement against best-in-class benchmarks are then identified and an improvement plan for maintenance effectiveness is designed, with achievable and measurable goals.
Once the IMS audit is complete, SKF works in partnership with the customer, giving access to all of SKF's technical resources, in order to strengthen the customer's existing maintenance and technical skills.
A Proactive Reliability Maintenance (PRM) process is then established.
Through a defined process, involving the appropriate use of condition monitoring techniques, the causes of problems are diagnosed and a root cause analysis process, to eliminate recurrences, is implemented.
At this stage, moving objectives are set, known as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), to continuously remove or reduce problems and progress towards attaining World's Best Practice in plant efficiency and reliability for the relevant industry sector.
The PRM process effectively encompasses predictive maintenance diagnostics and root cause analysis, correction KPIs, and an operational review process, providing a platform for continuous improvement.
This is followed by the recommendation of new technology upgrades to improve machine performance.
To ensure that appropriate skills are applied to perform key maintenance tasks, SKF provides detailed training courses for all relevant staff.
These courses are focussed on all facets of maintenance that directly impact on the overall return on plant assets.
An IMS contract is a partnership that typically runs from three to five years and includes a defined cost structure and amortisation period.
It includes a guarantee that SKF will meet the objectives by performing to its predetermined level or better.
A monthly fee includes bearing and seal supplies, condition monitoring equipment and on-site services, plus software support.
Importantly, the contract covers the technical resources to determine, correct and eliminate repetitive machinery problems.
IMS contracts can cover specific applications through to complete site contracts. Request a free brochure from SKF UK ...
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