Many manufacturers that have been in operation for decades struggle with similar questions when it comes to their older machines. Regular maintenance is a must, of course. But what about bringing your equipment back to that prime efficiency and quality it had when it was new?
Rick Moscarino, Senior Product Development/Apps Specialist for Ultra Tech Machinery, gets this question at least a couple dozen times a year. Finding the right engineering group is key to getting answers that benefit you the most.
“A remanufacturer should know manufacturing inside-out. And they should know that there is a ton of potential in remanufacturing machinery or rebuilding a component of a critical machine,” said Moscarino.
That potential is key. Instead of simply restoring a machine, remanufacturing can make the machine better, particularly as needs may have changed since it was purchased. Controls can be retrofitted, and upgrades are possible at almost any stage of the process. With years of experience in the field, Moscarino notes that a good remanufacturer is able to minimize disruption, improve functionality and help a company bring new life to critical systems.
“I ask two important questions whenever I’m talking with a client about the possibility of remanufacturing. First, what’s the five- to 10-year outlook for the machine? And second, what systems are required to fulfill current needs?”
Due to the significance of this undertaking, Moscarino also recommends that companies ask a series of critical questions when considering remanufacturing.
What is the approach to upgrades?
Moscarino said, “We are always bringing upgrade ideas to the job. It’s not unusual for us to reconfigure components to standards that are better than those of the original OEM. We make more adjustments that were likely made by the original manufacturer, allowing the components to wear longer.”
Safety guidelines often change. Will the process ensure that current standards are met?
In the case of one company, Moscarino’s team at Ultra Tech Machinery made upgrades to outdated safety components when safety controls and guarding were not up to code. Such review and safety upgrades should occur with every rebuild. Because standards are always evolving in response to industry developments, this step is crucial.
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