How to maintain your robot for optimal performance

Think of your robot like a luxury car. Would you want to run it non-stop for a year without an oil change?

If you are new to automation, you might also be new to the concept of preventative maintenance.

Industrial equipment, and especially robots, need to be checked, cleaned, and repaired on a regular basis. Otherwise, you could waste thousands of dollars when your equipment breaks down – for good.

Learn more about preventative maintenance and our tips for industrial robot maintenance below!

What is preventative maintenance?

Every manufacturer needs to include preventative maintenance as part of their regular production activities.

Performing preventative maintenance on an industrial robot means consistently reviewing the robot’s condition, replacing parts as needed, cleaning out cabinets and exterior, and more. “Preventative” means keeping your equipment running according to the manufacturer’s guidelines rather than letting it break down.

Other common maintenance tasks include:

• Inspecting the power supplies, safety equipment, and cooling fans
• Checking brake functionality
• Backing up the controller data
• Measuring robot repeatability
• Replace batteries as needed

Preventative maintenance looks different for every piece of equipment. Even brands have varying requirements for maintenance. For example, a KUKA robot, a FANUC robot, and an ABB robot all have different timelines when they need to be checked, as well as unique grease formulas for each brand.

Why is maintaining your industrial robots important?

If you are going to invest in industrial robots, you might as well take care of them!

Maintaining your robots (as well as the rest of your equipment) is key to extending their useable life. Just like a car, your equipment needs to be serviced every once in a while to keep it running smoothly.

Other benefits of preventative maintenance include:

• Decreasing unplanned downtime
• Improving workplace safety
• Increasing production efficiency
• Increasing cost savings

As you can see, it’s well worth the effort to regularly check up your industrial robots and equipment.

5 tips for robot maintenance

Now that we have you convinced, use these five tips to properly maintain the industrial robots in your facility.

1. Keep a schedule

Number one on this list is keeping a schedule of equipment maintenance.

It’s easy to let it fall to the wayside for weeks or even months, and then suddenly your equipment needs to be replaced.

Save yourself the time and money by storing all maintenance documents in one easy-to-access location and set reminders.

2. Use the right grease

As mentioned above, different industrial robots brands have unique grease blends. If you use the wrong grease, you run the risk of clogging your robot and causing considerable damage to the joints.

Check the equipment manual to see what grease you need to order and be sure to clearly label what robot it’s for to prevent costly accidents.

3. Perform a 50-cycle verification test

A 50-cycle verification test will allow you to see how your robot is currently running.

You might notice repeatability issues or other concerns that need to be addressed during maintenance that otherwise would have passed unnoticed.

Also, you can perform another test after maintenance. This will ensure that everything is good to go before reinstalling your robot into the production line.

4. Replace parts as needed

Depending on the age of your robot, as well as how many hours it has worked, you might need to replace some parts.

Don’t fret! Fixing up your robot doesn’t need to be costly. With iGAM and HGR Industrial Supply, you can find affordable robot parts and equipment to get your production line back on track without straining your wallet.

5. Clean inside and out

Finally, make sure your robot is clean inside and out. Grease, dust, and other particles can coat your robot and get into the cabinet, potentially causing electrical damage or other issues.

This can become a safety issue for your employees, so it’s crucial to clean up your robot with each maintenance period.

Keep operations running smoothly with a little planning

With a little effort, you can improve productivity, increase your cost savings, and extend the life of your equipment.

Visit iGAM for up to 80 percent off industrial robots and equipment

iGAM is the leading online marketplace for used industrial robots, robot parts, and manufacturing equipment.

We specialize in providing affordable products that meet the demands of your business and enjoy working with our customers to deliver the results they expect. With unbeatable prices, selection, and customer service, iGAM aims to be the ultimate destination for automation products across the industry and an essential part of every manufacturer’s asset management strategy.

Contact an iGAM Specialist today to find the equipment you need to meet your production goals.