停机时间在机器自动化方面是不可避免的。在找出失败的部件之后，许多机器自动化专业人员会倾向于运送有缺陷的部件以尽快得到服务。通过将观察分组在一起并仔细观察，机器自动化领域中的许多人可能会发现问题可以在内部得到解决，而不是将一部分发送给另一方。
一定要向公司内部的员工详细介绍，因为有些人可能亲眼目睹了失败，并能够提供更为亲密和有价值的见解。
众所周知工厂自动化机器由多个相互连接的零部件组成。正因为如此重要的是不要忽略已经发生或可能发生的相关问题。如果一个驱动器出现故障，最好的做法是将其与所连接的电机一起发送，以便一起检查预防性维护。通过与机器操作人员协商，您可能会发现其他部件可能会随电机和驱动器一起被发送到预防性维护。
请记住经过认证的专家可能会指出其他人可能不认识或想到的机器细节。没有人愿意遇到问题，解决这个问题，再次遇到问题，因为缺乏对细节的关注。无论你只有两根电线要脱钩还是一千二百根，记录一切。
确保你使用的是坚固的，将继续加贴。请勿使用会因油脂或灰尘而脱落的胶带。另外，在拍摄之前，期间和之后的操作。这些照片可以帮助您在以后避免巨大的头痛。另外，在可能的情况下，请确保在设备退出服务之前保存任何参数并记录任何设置。
通过记录必须尽可能具体拆卸的所有部件或电线，您可能会避免许多令人头痛的事情。没有人希望拆卸机器的一部分，以后发现电线或螺栓错位，这将导致工厂自动化和制造空间中的每个人都感到可怕的停机时间。不要害怕拍摄视频或拆解过程中的几张照片;深入的视频甚至照片往往是非常宝贵的，尤其是在一年中的繁忙时间或忙碌的时候。
为了让您的时间与服务中心保持一致，请务必准备好书面或打印文件的解释。如果有多个员工与服务中心通信的可能性，请确保他们掌握了所有可能有助于解决问题或解决问题的详细信息。请务必妥善包装部件，以免造成运输损坏。由于懒惰或缺乏主动研究正确的包装过程，没有人希望快速无痛的修复变成扩展的修复。大多数单位需要3-5英寸的包装绝缘，以确保粗暴处理不会损坏部分或零件。
Downtime is inevitable when it comes to machine automation.
When production stops, orders will likely stack up quickly, hitting start on the “profits lost” clock.
After the failed part is identified, many machine automation professionals would lean towards shipping the flawed part to get serviced as soon as humanly possible.
While MRO Electric and Supply appreciates the business, we want to ensure our customers are as well-informed as possible and able to fix issues of their own, if able to.
By grouping observations together and looking at them closely, many of those in the machine automation space may find that the issue can be fixed internally, rather than sending a part out to another party.
Be sure to press the in-house employees for details, as someone on the clock may have witnessed the failure first-hand and would be able to provide more intimate and valuable insight as far as what may have happened.
As many know, factory automation machines consist of several interconnected parts and components. Because of this, it’s important not to overlook related issues that have occurred or may occur.
If a drive (such as a Fanuc Robotics Drive) were to fail, best practice would be to send it along with the motor it’s connected with in order to have preventative maintenance checked together.
By consulting with the machines’ operators, you may find that other parts could be sent to preventative maintenance along with motor (such as a Fanuc CNC motor) and drive.
Keep in mind, certified experts will likely be able to point machine details out that others may not recognize or think of.
Nobody wants to run into an issue, fix said issue, and run into it again, due to lack of attention to detail.
Whether you have only two wires to unhook or twelve hundred, document everything.
When you uninstall the damaged unit, label your wires. Be sure what you are using is sturdy and will remain affixed.
Do not use tape that will slip off with grease or dust. Also, take before, during and after pictures of the operation.
These pictures can save you from a tremendous headache later on. Also, when possible, make sure to save any parameters and record any settings before the unit has been taken out of service.
By documenting all of the parts or wires that had to be disassembled as specifically as possible, you would likely be avoiding many headaches.
Nobody wants to disassemble a section of a machine, later to discover a wire or bolt is misplaced, which would lead to dreaded downtime that everyone in the factory automation and manufacturing space dispises.
Don’t be afraid to take a video or several photos of the disassembling process; in-depth videos or even photos are often invaluable to refer back to, especially when in a rush or a busy time of the year.
In order to make your time count with the service center, be sure to prepare your explanation on a written or typed document.
If there’s a possibility of more than one employee communicating with the service center, ensure they’re up-to-speed with all details that may be of help to fixing the issue or issues at hand.
Be sure to avoid shipping damage by packing the part or parts securely and appropriately. Nobody wants a quick and painless fix to turn into an extended fix due to laziness or lack of initiative to research correct packaging processes.
Most units need 3-5 inches of packaging insulation on all sides, to ensure rough handling won’t damage the part or parts.
