Moving large pieces of machinery is one of those tasks that can require a lot of time and commitment. Yet at the same time, it can also prove to be very fruitful if you move everything without a problem. That’s why it’s a very good idea to try and minimize the downtime during a machinery move. Using machinery movers can help with that, and there are a variety of other things to focus on as well.
Start planning early
When you want to minimize machinery moving downtime, a very good idea is to start the planning process early on. The idea here is that you want to plan around 2-3 months earlier, create a moving timeline, contact the machinery movers and ensure that everything is handled professionally. Also, assign roles and train your team beforehand. Organizing all of these processes will help a lot, it will remove a lot of potential downsides, and it will ensure that your team is prepared for any issues.
Hire specialists
Let’s face it, the DIY route is expensive, challenging and it can lead to malfunctions. The most important thing is to hire machinery movers that know how to make sure everything is moved adequately. The reality here is that you want professionals that know rigging, which have the right training and certifications. And on top of that, you do want to consult with facility engineers and electricians. Moving machinery is no joke, and if anything goes wrong, it can lead to major downtime.
Parallel tasking might help
A lot of the time, you experience downtime because you follow sequential steps and don’t go with parallel tasking. For example, as the machines get disconnected, you can prepare the destination site and perform all the tasks needed there. You can also epoxy the floors and clean everything at the destination beforehand. And while there, you could get any replacement parts and consumables. It’s effective, and it will certainly make the process better and easier here. Make the most out of any possible downtime, as it can save you time from any future work.
Create a backup for your machine
Most of the time, you have things like machine parameters, part programs and software settings that need to be backed up. Otherwise without a backup, you can end up dealing with issues. If any of those software parts are damaged, then you end up with problems, and that’s certainly something you want to avoid. You should have a physical copy of the backup, but also one online, just in case the physical disk is not available anymore.
Perform an inspection of the new spot
Inspections are important because it helps a lot if you can check whether the new place is ready to use. Plus, you want to check and see if the flood ratings are all in place, if the utilities match the machine specs, but also if the area is clear of any obstructions and problems that might arise. Vibration isolation and climate control are also things that you want to check as well.
Start using labels and color-coded tags
The reason why this matters is because the re-assembly process can be difficult for most pieces after machinery moving is over. The thing is, you want to label all connections and parts. You can also take pictures and videos to see how everything is connected. Documenting everything will help a lot, and it certainly speeds up the re-assembly process as well.
Split the move into multiple phases
A lot of the time, companies use machinery movers and want to speed up the moving process. But what they don’t realize is that everything needs to be ready, set up, and it can take a while to do so. Splitting the move into multiple phases can help quite a bit. That’s especially true if you have more than one machine you need to move.
When you deal with this, the best rule of thumb is to try and group machines based on priority. Another thing to consider is a staggered move schedule. Add a buffer between the machine relocations and ensure that the move takes place outside of those peak periods. The weekend, plant shutdowns or times when it’s easier to move, that’s when you want to tackle this, in order to get the best possible results.
Try to use backup or temporary equipment
In order to avoid downtime, it could very well be a good idea to try and rent some equipment, so you can still do the work you need. Leasing/renting stuff is a good idea as it costs a little, but you can avoid production-related losses. Portable air compressors or generators are a good option, and the same thing can be said about shifting production to sister facilities or any alternate lines you have. All these things are good if you want to avoid downtime during the machinery moving process.
Monitor the moving process in real time
That can be a good idea because you can narrow down any issues as they happen, and maybe even prevent potential issues as well. With that in mind, using messaging apps, tablets, having a move coordinator and so on, all these things can help more than you might expect. If this is a multi-day move, you want to conduct a progress review on a daily basis. The main idea is, you want to be up-to-date with all the move-related progress, and make adjustments if those become a necessity.
Another thing you should do is to use shock and vibration sensors during the machinery moving process. That’s the thing, you want to ensure that these machines will not get any type of damage. And many of them can have their functionality affected by vibrations as you move them. So the best approach is to have tilt and shock indicators, along with the use of low-impact rigging techniques. In case any damage occurs, those sensors can provide proof for the diagnostics or insurance claims.
Calibrating and leveling everything after the items arrive
Naturally, whenever you use machinery movers, there will be situations where these machines need to be re-assembled and re-calibrated. You need to spend as much time on this as possible, and ensure that they are working the way they should. When you level everything, you want to use precision levels, along with dial indicators, laser alignment tools, test cycles and many others. You always want to be certain that you’re using the right parts and everything is calibrated properly.
Speaking of that, it makes sense to stock some spare parts and any consumables you can in advance. Not only will it help you in case problems arise, but it’s the smart thing to do. You can never be too careful, and in the end, that’s the most important aspect. It can take a little bit of time to do everything adequately, and if you manage everything the way you should, in the end that can prove to be a game-changing approach. Stock the right equipment and consumables, with things like repair kits, fluids, seals, filters and belts/gaskets being a priority.
Closing thoughts
Making sure you have very little to no downtime during the machinery moving process is very important. Time is money, and the long your production process is affected, the more money you lose. That’s why you want to use these tips, since they will help you minimize downtime, while ensuring your production is affected as little as possible!
