In manufacturing, where reliability and precision are key, maintaining your indexer machines is not just a small task but a necessity.

At Motion Index Drives, we understand the important role of well-maintained indexers in your production line. We prioritize excellence in cam-driven device engineering, designing and manufacturing. Our products are the leading indexers on the market. Our team of Certified Motion Index Drives technicians is committed to ensuring you get reliable, long-lasting equipment for your manufacturing operations. They are equipped to provide preventive maintenance programs, including detailed health assessments and 24-hour emergency breakdown support.

For project engineers, maintaining your equipment is essential. Below, we explore how to effectively maintain your indexer machines and ensure they operate at peak performance.

How to Improve the Longevity of Your Indexer Machine

Indexer machines are a significant investment. Extending their life span can enhance productivity, combat unexpected breakdowns that disrupt operations and protect the equipment’s value.

There are three key areas to ensure indexer maintenance is done correctly.

1. Keep Spare Parts on Hand

Having indexer machine spare parts readily available is important for maintaining smooth equipment operation. Think of it as a proactive approach that ensures you are prepared for any unexpected challenges.

Keeping spare parts on hand can help you:

• Achieve quick repairs: When a part breaks or suddenly stops working, having a spare on hand allows your motion technician to swiftly replace it. This quick response can help avoid or reduce long delays and keep your operations on track.
• Minimize downtime: When a machine unexpectedly breaks down, production might halt, and this downtime can be costly. Having spare parts readily available can help reduce this break in production and ensure continuous operation.
• Prevent bigger challenges: Addressing small issues quickly with spare parts can help prevent them from escalating into bigger, more expensive repairs.

To prepare for these breakdowns, there are specific parts that you will need to keep in stock for your technicians. Depending on your specific industry, indexer machine and needs, some of these spare parts might include:

• Cam followers: The number of cam followers will depend on the type of indexer in your plant.
• Belts and pulleys: Having spares of these components ensures that your technicians can quickly address any wear and tear.
• Spare indexer: If there is extensive damage, replacing the entire unit may be a better option.
• Seals: These prevent leaks and help maintain the integrity of your machine.
• Ball and race assemblies: These are located under the top dial. Having spares can help ensure continuous operation.

2. Opt for Yearly Health Assessments

Ensuring your cam indexer machine’s health can help you maintain efficiency and prevent costly breakdowns. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through an annual health assessment as part of preventive maintenance.

These assessments can be carried out by a skilled technician who will inspect your machines, understand their current status and make recommendations as needed. Regular manufacturing machine maintenance tasks are important for keeping your index rotary machine healthy.

During these health assessments, the technicians will perform a series of checks to ensure that your equipment is in optimal condition. These may include the following:

• Moto brake gaps: If the gap between the brake and motor is too big or small, it can cause the machine to stop incorrectly or not stop at all. Ensuring the brake gaps are the perfect size helps the machine operate safely and efficiently.
• Cam-followers inspection: Cam-followers guide the machine’s movement. During a health assessment, the technician would need to assess them for wear and tear and replace them if necessary to help maintain precision index conveyor maintenance.
• Backlash on the top dial: Backlash is when a small amount of movement occurs when the machine changes direction. If there is too much backlash, it can affect how accurately the machine moves. Adjusting this can help improve the machine’s overall performance.
• Verify VFD settings: The variable frequency drive (VFD) is the part that controls the speed of the motor. The technician needs to check the VFD settings to ensure they are correct for how the machine is supposed to operate.
• Adjust limit switches: Limit switches are safety devices that tell the machine when to stop. A technician needs to check these switches to ensure they work properly.
• Oil inspection: Oil helps to keep parts moving smoothly and to reduce friction. During a health assessment, the technician will need to check for any contaminants.
• Belts and pulleys: Many machines rely on belts and pulleys to help them move products through different stages of the production cycle. The technicians would need to check these parts to ensure they are in good shape. If a belt is worn out or the pulley is damaged, malfunctions can occur. Having spare parts can help with a quick repair process if needed, supporting ongoing index maintenance.
• Pre-load of the top dial: This refers to the amount of pressure applied on the top dial. If the pressure is set too high or too low, it can affect how the machine operates. The technicians should ensure this is set correctly and adjust where necessary for efficient operation.
• Evaluating each position for backlash: Technicians evaluate each position of the indexer to check for any backlash. This includes looking at how well the machine moves from one position to another, an essential aspect of index conveyor maintenance.

3. Avoid Internal E-Stop Conditions

An internal E-stop condition can cause the cam follower to hit against the barrel cam on every stop, leading to damage and costly repairs. Prevention requires focus on a few key areas:

• Regular upkeep: Keeping a machine serviced and well-maintained can help prevent many issues that lead to stopping out of position. Implementing regular index machine health assessments by trained technicians can catch problems before they become serious.
• Training: Any worker who operates a machine should receive training. This training involves understanding how to manage the machine and the steps to take if something goes wrong. Well-trained operators know how to respond quickly and effectively to challenging conditions.
• Proper calibration: Calibration involves adjusting the machine’s settings to operate precisely and accurately. Ensuring the machine is properly calibrated allows it to stop in the appropriate position.

Why Choose Motion Index Drives as Your Comprehensive Service Provider?

At Motion Index Drives, we understand maintaining your indexer machine is crucial for ensuring productivity and efficiency. That is why we offer a variety of services and support to help our customers get the most out of their equipment, including:

• Retrofitting.
• Training courses for large project implementation.
• Replacement motors.
• Recycling of old turntables.
• Design support for new projects.
• Engineering support for new and existing projects.

By choosing Motion Index Drives as your comprehensive provider, you gain access to a wide range of products and services designed to enhance your indexer machines’ performance and longevity.

Maintain Your Indexer Machines and Improve Their Life Span

Finding the time to perform regular maintenance without disrupting operations, having access to skilled technicians and ensuring the right spare parts are readily available can be challenging for any project engineer, but you do not have to figure it out alone. Motion Index Drives offers a comprehensive suite of services to support you and your team in maintaining your indexer machines effectively and efficiently.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you access expert technicians and quality spare parts for your operation.