Clay B.
Lifetime Supporting Member
I just read the the post about repairing parts and it was pointed out that in most cases an upgrade would correct the issue without getting obsolete parts repaired.
http://www.plctalk.net/qanda/showthread.php?t=25936
A large part of my job is making just this decision. I am not an intergrator or a machine builder. My salary is paid by the compony I work for making and selling parts. So whether to upgrade or go down the get parts repaired road becomes complicated reather quickly. Below is my hit lists of factors I use when making this decision. if anybody has other ways to look at this or can elaborate I would really like to see what you think.
First question: Can I still get OEM parts and what has the markup gone to.
Second question: Will upgrade improve production. Will the increase in production cover the cost of the upgrade.
Third question: How much downtime will be incurred making the upgrade. We all know simply changing componets rarely works and some form of debugging is involved.
Forth question: Will training need to be done and to what degree.
Fifth question: How much time do I really have before upgrade is the only thing I can do.
sixth question: What is the time and material cost of the upgrade. Can I create a Capital Expence for this project.
As you can see these questions are general and get a lot more specific depending on the job.
Just a FYI... 2 things I see get overlooked the most
Training mainteance personal on the modified equipment and Spare parts for the modified equipment.
Editors Note> I apologize for the spelling, I have my dictionary here at home but left my reading glasses at work.
http://www.plctalk.net/qanda/showthread.php?t=25936
A large part of my job is making just this decision. I am not an intergrator or a machine builder. My salary is paid by the compony I work for making and selling parts. So whether to upgrade or go down the get parts repaired road becomes complicated reather quickly. Below is my hit lists of factors I use when making this decision. if anybody has other ways to look at this or can elaborate I would really like to see what you think.
First question: Can I still get OEM parts and what has the markup gone to.
Second question: Will upgrade improve production. Will the increase in production cover the cost of the upgrade.
Third question: How much downtime will be incurred making the upgrade. We all know simply changing componets rarely works and some form of debugging is involved.
Forth question: Will training need to be done and to what degree.
Fifth question: How much time do I really have before upgrade is the only thing I can do.
sixth question: What is the time and material cost of the upgrade. Can I create a Capital Expence for this project.
As you can see these questions are general and get a lot more specific depending on the job.
Just a FYI... 2 things I see get overlooked the most
Training mainteance personal on the modified equipment and Spare parts for the modified equipment.
Editors Note> I apologize for the spelling, I have my dictionary here at home but left my reading glasses at work.
