Are you replacing machine parts due to damage or as part of your replacement routine? Either way, it’s important to keep in mind a few important considerations no matter whether you’re looking for construction machinery parts or a grinder concrete disc replacement. We’ll discuss the role that the material has to play, including why you should be concerned if you’re doing more than your fair share of spare part replacements. So what are the factors to be given due consideration while planning for spare parts? These are the most important ones.
Whether it fits
It might sound like this is a very basic factor. But you can’t trust your eyes alone to assess whether a spare part fits or not. When it comes to some industrial machines for sale, even just a variation to the tune of a couple of millimeters can mean the difference between a great fit and a poor one.
When the part falls short, the machine may generate more mechanical forces than the part can actually handle. This can lead to damage to the part and worse yet, cascading damage to other elements dependent upon that.
On the other hand, when it’s oversized, failure can also creep in due to the equipment bearing forces it was not meant to sustain. Prioritizing the right thickness and dimensions of parts ensures better performance and fewer failures, ensuring minimal downtime and a healthier profit margin.
Type of material
Many often make a compromise when it comes to materials for spare parts. It’s easy to go with cheaper parts from inferior alloys to save up on costs. But that can be dangerous as this inferior alternative can increase susceptibility to:
- Corrosion
- Erosion
- Abrasion
- Other damage
They might look the same to the naked eye but different materials have varying characteristics at the microscopic level. The original part that you’re replacing should serve as a reference for the metallurgical characteristics you’ll want in your new spare part. In other words, prioritize getting replacements made from the same alloy or material.
Availability of support
While this is more about the reliability of the spare part supplier rather than the element itself, it still counts as a really important factor. Short of planned equipment maintenance, most parts replacements are usually instigated by an unpredicted failure or breakdown. When they happen, it means that production or operation has to take a break until you get that part.
Therefore, you want to ensure you can get what you need readily without long delays. More so for parts that don’t experience failure too often, you want to be sure that the supplier can bail you out when the rare happens. A spare part supplier with a large pool of inventory is usually a metric of excellent available support when you need it. Besides availability, be sure to also keep in mind the experience, reputation, and size of the supplier. These factors will tell you all you need to know about the supplier’s competencies and resources.
Frequency of replacements
Are you constantly replacing parts for your CNC milling machine? The problem might be an underlying one with quickly worn-out parts just the symptoms of a much more serious affliction. Addressing these symptoms through replacement is like trying to use a band-aid where surgery stitches might be more suitable.
So before you get down to replacing any parts, spare a moment to first of all figure out what’s causing it. Of course, normal wear and tear reinforce the need for preventative maintenance, but if a part is regularly replaced at half of its life span, that’s a red flag. Some common causes of overly frequent spare part replacement include:
- Settling for lesser quality replacements
- Poor handling of the machine by operators
- Poor power matching and so on
Relevance of the design
Just like many other technologies, part designs are always on the move as well. They are far from static as manufacturers work to keep on upping their game. With technological changes, the design of some equipment will also change, perhaps to ensure greater efficiency or effectiveness.
The bottom line is to consider the latest designs when choosing spare parts for your equipment. Liaising with machinery companies in UAE such as Industbay that have a habit of staying ahead of the curve could be essential to ensuring the spare parts you purchase are in line with the trends of the day.
Warranty considerations
The majority of heavy equipment companies in UAE provide warranties when you buy new machinery from them. It’s important that you keep in mind the terms of your warranty, with a particular focus on specifications about:
- Whose financial obligation it is to meet spare part replacements
- If the warranty only greenlights parts from a certain supplier or brand
- The duration of the warranty that covers replacement refunds, if applicable
Either way, you don’t want to void your warranty by using components that your supplier has not given the go-ahead. Remember, investigators will thoroughly comb through any details in the event of machine failure. So it’s important to catch up with your manufacturer’s policy on spares to avoid accidentally invalidating your warranty.
Sustainability factors
Last but most certainly not least, you should also consider whether the spare parts are sustainably or lawfully sourced. Some CNC machine suppliers in UAE put profits over environmental friendliness- sometimes even human rights- and you don’t want to get your parts from these types of companies. Instead, go with a supplier that has a keen interest in enforcing sustainability. When the environment wins, everybody wins.
Additionally, you don’t want to be linked to a supplier who has been tied to pollution or defying labor laws by using children because that taints your brand image by association. Therefore, conduct an audit of your supplier before you order anything from them.
Shop at a proven supplier of high-quality parts
Replacing parts regularly ensures your production processes are always firing on all cylinders. Getting high-quality spares is also key to profitability by ensuring a longer period of use. Before spending money on any parts, be sure to also carry out due diligence on a supplier. Do you they have experience as a hand tools distributor, if you’re looking for parts for such tools? What is their reputation among other industrial equipment suppliers? We highly recommend a proven spare part marketplace such as Industbay.