Hi,

I am trying to come up with a PdM for an oven in a thermoforming line. My issue is that I don't think (correct me if i am wrong)that it is virtually impossible to predict the failure of a heting element in an oven. Anyone has come up with a descent PM for his ovens. I'd love to see what people use.

This is my monthly oven PM:

Mechanical:
1. Cooling system: check for leaks.
2. Check pin chain sprockets for wear.
3. Check machine alignment and horizontality. Adjust if necessary.

Lubrication:
1. Lubricate chains and sprockets. (use chain lube)

Electrical:
1. Inspect electrical panels and lines.
2. Clean dust from electrical panels and filtration screens. Inspect cooling fans.
3. Check and replace any broken porcelain support for all oven heaters.
4. Heating system: inspect and retighten all electrical connections.
5. Thermocouples: inspect and retighten all connections.
6. Temperature controllers: clean and recalibrate.
7. Inspect connections in electrical panels. Retighten connections if necessary.
8. Inspect and clean contactors (contact surfaces).
9. Inspect all interlock switches, emergency switches and warning signals.


Thanks,

Iyad A

Could Infrared Thermography be applied in some way...remote camera viewing heating elements...viewing the line as it exits the oven or heater area looking for abnormal variations in heat signatures over time...et al
Time to "Think Outside the Box!", I would say.

You might also post this on the Thermography Forum here as well. Might be someone with more expertise there that could help.