Automate preventive maintenance: from hour meters to work orders
Automated preventive maintenance turns machine usage into work orders: when spindle hours, cycles or calendar time reach the plan, the system opens a work order with the checklist and parts, schedules it in a production gap and notifies the technician. Completion is logged with readings, so the next interval is calculated and maintenance history is always available.
Guilherme Rodrigues ItinoseUpdated 2 min read
Key takeaways
- Trigger by usage (hours, cycles) when wear depends on use, by calendar otherwise.
- Every work order carries a checklist, parts and estimated time.
- Schedule maintenance in production gaps, not in the middle of urgent orders.
- Log readings at completion to spot trends.
- Start with the machines whose failure hurts the most.
Most small plants practice “maintenance when it breaks”. Not because they don’t know better, but because nobody has time to track what is due.
The automated loop
- Trigger: spindle hours, cycles or calendar time reach the plan.
- Work order: created with checklist, parts and estimated time.
- Scheduling: placed in the next production gap.
- Notification: technician and supervisor receive it on their phone.
- Completion: checklist ticked, readings and photos logged.
- Next interval: calculated automatically.
Example plan
| Machine | Item | Trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Machining center | Way oil and filters | 2,000 spindle hours |
| CNC lathe | Chuck lubrication and jaws check | Weekly |
| Compressor | Condensate drain and filter | 500 running hours |
| All machines | Coolant concentration | Daily reading |
Make the data visible
A short weekly view of overdue, due and completed orders keeps maintenance on the agenda. Linking breakdowns to the plan shows which intervals need adjusting.
CNC Pulse provides machine hours and alarms from FANUC controls, and our automation team builds the work order flow around your process.
When to outsource this
- Maintenance is done only when something breaks
- Plans exist on paper but nobody knows what is due
When not to
- You already run a CMMS that the team uses daily
FAQ
Do I need a CMMS?
A full CMMS helps larger teams. Small plants can start with a spreadsheet or simple app plus automation that creates work orders and reminders.
Where do hour meters come from?
From the machine control when it can be read, or from production records. Monitoring systems can provide spindle hours automatically.
Calendar or usage-based?
Usage-based for wear driven by running time; calendar-based for items that age regardless of use, like some lubricants and safety checks.
How do I avoid stopping production?
Plan maintenance windows in low-load periods and let the system propose the next free slot.
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