Whether you work in a quality control laboratory at a major automotive manufacturer or are performing research at a university, it is common to encounter a universal testing machine that was manufactured before the 21st century. A robust testing system, whether hydraulically or electromechanically actuated, can perform effectively for upwards of 30 years when maintained with proper preventative care. As time passes, however, aging system components eventually increase the risk of system downtime. This downtime causes frustration, endangers product shipments, and can lead to the need for outsourced testing. For those using an older mechanical testing system, it is important to understand what options are available to help mitigate these risks and keep testing on schedule.
Manufacturers of universal testing machines can often help determine the risk of downtime associated with a particular system, but only you as the user can fully understand how critical a piece of equipment is to your individual operation. The best way to assess the criticality of a system is to ask yourself, “If this machine went down today, for two weeks, what impact would this have on our business?” In some environments, the impact may be none! If a system is currently unused, or if a backup with bandwidth is readily available, a machine’s criticality may be fairly low. On the other hand, if testing on a system is required in order to release batches of material to downstream customers, this means that the machine is a vital link in the production chain, and downtime could have severe financial consequences.