Pumps require repair and replacement. It’s a fact of life in the world of industrial pumps. A huge challenge is that as pump models become obsolete and therefore older parts, built to unique specifications, may no longer be available. This means companies must plan carefully for the end of an industrial pump life cycle to ensure replica pump components can be manufactured and seamlessly integrated into their facilities.
Commit to Part Replication
Often an original part is discontinued, due to the sheer speed of change in pump technology and component manufacturing. This is where expert replicators step in. They can manufacture a precise replacement part, thus reducing downtime and lost productivity when repairs are made. These experts can also advise you about the expected life cycle of various parts – and the life cycle of a pump – so you can accurately determine what replacement parts you should keep in stock thus optimizing your stores inventory.
Pump Replication
Pump replication experts can even recreate an entire pump. This is ideal when an older pump reaches the end of its life cycle, because it allows your company to replace it on the same foundations and use the same applications. A different pump will require different foundations and potentially extensive changes to your piping system and downstream equipment.
Establish a Strong Parts Monitoring System
Pump parts must be monitored carefully to maintain optimal efficiency. Although industrial plants are growing and new technology is continually being integrated, many internal components deteriorate over time and may not be achieving the same level of efficiency like when they were originally installed. A pump operating outside of its BEP (Best Efficiency Point) can cost a company tens of thousands of dollars extra per year in additional energy consumption. An active monitoring system that analyzes pump performance on a daily basis can help establish trends and provide the actionable data required to make effective decisions relating to the timing of pump component replacement.
Begin a Configuration Management Program
In addition to monitoring the performance of individual parts, plants must also establish a program for cataloguing and analyzing any changes made to their entire infrastructure. The moment a part is changed within a complex line process, the entire process must be updated and recalibrated to ensure optimal performance with the refurbished pump. By monitoring how the production process has changed over time, companies then have access to precise data when troubleshooting performance issues and when additional components are required. This process should be carried out through close collaboration between engineering , maintenance and production teams to ensure both decision makers and technicians have a comprehensive understanding of the changes that were necessary .
Through building close working relationships with parts replication specialists and by creating best practices policies on parts analysis, companies can mitigate issues relating to the management of their industrial pump system’s life cycle.