Pneumatic tools are integral for the functioning of various industries; they are designed and curated for intensive usage, especially in quarry drilling. This often means that the maintenance aspects of these pneumatic tools & equipment are often overlooked by many.
This guide is all about helping you understand the right maintenance procedure to ensure these tools last for longer periods of time and remain productive.
What are Pneumatic Tools?
Before exploring the maintenance regime, let us take a quick peek at what these tools are. Pneumatic tools are powered by compressed gas.
Handheld pneumatic equipment finds its application when productivity, ease of use, and safety are the topmost priority. Besides, these tools are also key in reducing the costs of productions incurred by the industries.
Every industry needs customized tools for its seamless operation. If one sector deals in the demolition of old concrete and other surfaces, as well as removing pavements, a pneumatic jack hammer is one of the essentials.
A pneumatic jack hammer helps to crack hard surfaces. Similarly, other pneumatic tools play a key role in quarry drilling and other activities.
Now that we have gained an insight into its functionality let us delve into its maintenance routine.
What does the maintenance procedure entail?
Just like any other maintenance tool, pneumatic tools involve two methods of maintenance- preventive and corrective. Each of these maintenance modes is crucial for the efficient functioning of the equipment; hence we will be taking a deeper look at each of them.
Preventive Maintenance
Preventive maintenance techniques are self-explanatory.These activities are performed to minimize tool failure. They include activities like lubrication of the drill to the removal of worn out parts. Preventive maintenance can broadly be categorized into the following essentials.
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Air Pressure and Quality
Since pneumatic equipment relies on compressed air as a power source, it is crucial to ensure that the quality of air supplied and its pressure is optimum. Additionally, it is important to confirm that the air entering the system is devoid of impurities.
For this purpose, a Filter Regulator Lubricator (FRL) can be utilized to optimize the tool performance. This tool’s primary purpose is to regulate the temperature, moisture content, and lubrication of the air that is entering the system.
Another critical pointer to remember is the pressure of the air. Pressure levels higher than the recommended levels can be detrimental to the internal components and fatal to the life of the person operating it. This is why you must always be careful of the pressure levels of the air to avoid accidents.
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Lubricating the Tools and Following Instructions
Each tool comes with its own manual, and you need to go through it before beginning the installation process. It is advised that you follow the instruction guide by heart. Keep lubricating and replacing parts as instructed by the manuals to make sure that your tools go on and stay operative for a long time.
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Optimize Downtime
The time duration during overhauling can be used wisely by evaluating and analyzing the tools with a keen vision. Visual checks go a long way in ensuring that parts failure does not occur out of the blue. Follow through with the manual guide while performing the disassembling and assembling processes.
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Storage
The longevity of these pneumatic tools entirely relies on how well you store them. Moisture can be detrimental to the tools, and therefore, it is essential to store them away from extreme and humid conditions.
Corrective Maintenance
Corrective maintenance is performed once a tool has shown signs of failure. Based on the severity of the failure, some parts might need to be repaired or replaced. This usually occurs due to some unprecedented problems that escaped your observations.
Corrective maintenance procedures can be easily avoided by staying vigilant and sticking to your preventive maintenance regime.
Final Thoughts
Handheld pneumatic equipment has proven to be of much aid in many sections of various industries. Pneumatic tools have reduced the workload tremendously in fields like quarry drilling and are nothing short of pioneers in the tools industry.
With these simple maintenance procedures, you can make sure that these tools stay robust and functional for longer durations. At the same time, you can improve its efficiency and productivity by cutting down on its downtime. So, do not forget to adhere to a maintenance schedule!
Keyword: mining equipment