Each robot requires preventive maintenance to ensure that it maintains optimum performance and consistency on the production line. Failure to perform regular preventive maintenance checks on the robot may result in damage or malfunction of the components, resulting in slower production or even downtime. Proper maintenance of the robot may extend its life for many years or even decades, and regular preventive maintenance can double the life of the robot.

Different robot companies give different preventive maintenance times. For example, FANUC Robotics says that preventive maintenance of industrial robots should be done every 3, 850 hours or 12 months, which is absolutely not to be ignored. However, KUKA Robotics recommends more than 10,000 hours of preventive maintenance of the robot. It is important to look at the manual of a particular robot to determine the best time to maintain.

Regardless of the length of maintenance recommended in the manual, the maintenance schedule for the robot can avoid unplanned downtime due to mechanical problems. Because once it is down, it will cost expensive money. Although planned maintenance may cause the robot to stop production in a short period of time, it is simply a fraction of the production time that can be lost when the robot is unexpectedly shut down.

So what do the daily preventive maintenance checks include? The following are the maintenance procedures proposed by FANUC and Motoman Robotics:

Backup controller memory;

Monitor robots regularly and check robots, wires and cables;

Check the brakes;

Check the compactness of the robot;

Listen to sound vibrations and noise;

View the lubricated joints of the robot according to the manual of the specific robot (if the lubrication has been completed, analyze the degree of lubrication);

Visually inspect the teach pendant and controller cables;

Check cable connections, cooling fans, power supplies, safety equipment, and other operating equipment;

Test and replace RAM and APC batteries if needed;

If the robot needs to be repaired, the technician should report the problem in order to schedule the necessary repairs.

RobotWorx is a certified integrator for several different robotics companies including FANUC, Motoman, Unio, KUKA and ABB. RobotWorx's professional team will inform customers of all the details of the industrial robot maintenance program so that the customer's robot can maintain optimum performance and consistency.