Any plant that owns a tow crimper also needs to have a quality source for the maintenance and repair of their equipment, much like car owners need a trustworthy, experienced mechanic. It’s essential to have a repair source that is available to recondition or repair crimper rolls and stuffing box components. While it may seem more difficult to find a quality crimper repair source than it is to find a good mechanic, it’s vital to the effective operations of the facility. Downtime results in the loss of valuable time and money. An experienced, knowledgeable repair company in the fiber production industry may not be as convenient as finding someone to change the oil in your car, but quality and consistency in the reconditioning and repair for critical crimper components is an absolute must. It can be impossible for the process engineer or plant mechanic to analyze and mitigate crimper issues when the components may vary with every installation or they have been incorrectly repaired.
What to Look for in a Quality Tow Crimper Repair Company
There are various aspects to consider when looking for a quality crimper repair company. Here are some of them:
- All of the components should be carefully inspected to determine what needs to be done prior to any work being started. The machinist should not simply begin fixing the parts that you have told him about.
- It’s a good idea to ask and ensure that there is recorded documentation of the inspection that includes what sort of equipment was used during the examination. Also find out where and how these records are maintained and whether there is a final inspection done after repairs are made.
- The staff should know and understand the tolerances required for proper operation, and it’s even better if there is specific staff who are dedicated to crimper component repair. Ideally, the person who works on your repair should be able to make recommendations for modifications and repairs based on process experience and sound engineering. Guessing doesn’t work for these types of repairs.
- While there may be machinists who do some of the repair work, there should be engineers onsite with experience to handle design complexities and modifications.
Once you’ve found a repair source that meets the above criteria, your work isn’t done. You need to check the work and make sure it was done properly. If you don’t have the equipment to verify the work on your components (micrometers, surfometers and fixtures), then you should go to the repair company and check their instruments and equipment, ask any questions you may have, and verify the repair results there. There, you will be able to discuss the causes and cures for any crimper problems you’re having.
DM&E Wants to Be Your Repair Source for Tow Crimping Equipment
At DM&E, we have successfully repaired, modified, and manufactured crimpers and crimper components for more than four decades. For incoming repairs, every component is inspected for its condition and recorded on an inspection sheet. Serializing the components allows the repair record to be traced for all parts. A specification book is maintained for each customer to assure that unique requirements are satisfied.
Many plants will recognize these maintenance and repair practices as something they are already doing. They have their crimper maintenance and repair procedures well managed. They will question why others have not solved the potential problems. Others will examine their operation and see changes they can implement. Crimper performance and production efficiency will improve. They will wonder why it had not been done sooner.