Operating a roll forming machine around the clock without regular maintenance, of course it significantly raises the risk of breakdowns. Moreover, it could lead to injuries when workers try to fix or operate the malfunctioning machine improperly.
Adopting a "replace parts when they break" approach can be detrimental to your business. You might end up facing long time delays while waiting for replacement parts, causing disruptions in production and order fulfillment. Buy some easy broken parts standby roll forming machines is another good choice for keeping machine’s normal producing work.
While each maintenance program varies based on the specific roll former you have, there are some general guidelines that can be applied universally to ensure optimal performance.
Safeguarding Your Metal Forming Equipment
The Cooling System
Operator should maintain the coolant mixture meticulously. We can use a refractometer daily to measure the precise concentration of lubricated oil, and obeys to the supplier's recommended ratio of oil to water. Incorrect ratios may cause rollers to stick, then the roll forming machine's daily work can't be continuous next.
Lubrication Practices
Regular lubrication is vital for the smooth operation of your roll former equipment. For a machine in operation on a two-shift basis, from Monday to Friday, for 250 days a year, here's a practical lubrication schedule:
- Cutting and punching dies should be lubricated daily.
- Roll former shaft bearings require monthly lubrication.
- Bearing base and slide blocks need lubrication annually.
Hydraulic System Maintenance
Hydraulic system is the important part for finishing punching and cutting actions, all the actions will be controlled by roll forming line’s PLC control system. When injecting hydraulic oil to new roll forming equipment or performing oil changes, ensure it passes through a 10-micron (or finer) filter to eliminate impurities. The frequency of oil replacement depends on machine working time. Consult an oil service company to determine the appropriate replacement interval, typically twice a year.
Machine operators should frequently check oil levels and change in-line hydraulic filters based on the indicator. The yellow range is the optimal time for new change; waiting until the indicator enters the red range is not advisable, as it signifies the oil is no longer being filtered.
Cleaning Hydraulic Oil Tank
Regularly cleaning the hydraulic tank helps reduce impurities, cleaner and more efficient hydraulic system will ensure all roll forming machine lines always work well.
Above are all practical maintenance tips we have summarized on the daily working, you can ensure your roll forming machine runs effectively. Free from impurities that could damage your output or disrupt your production process. Drawing from real-world operator experience, these steps are essential for the longevity and reliability of your roll forming equipment. Once they have good ideas of the maintenance, write down and teach other operators, then the practical experience will be more and more detailed.