There isn’t a single key to unlock success in the industrial world, as it depends on many factors. Still, timely maintenance is surely among them. Failing to anticipate malfunctioning or damage by wear can send critical resources down the drain. It’s as accurate for big robots and other complex machinery as for industrial hoses. Here’s how these hoses can live longer and better.
Why Maintenance Is Necessary
Downtime is one of the worst nightmares on the factory floor, often leading to painful losses. The only way to avoid downtime loss is by staying ahead of the game. Still, that’s only one of the reasons engineers and managers should remain attentive to the condition of hoses. Sudden failures can release dangerous gases and chemicals, threatening everyone around. However, replacing them too soon would be costly and ineffective.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a silver bullet that can fix all problems. There are just too many types of industrial hoses carrying fluids. Still, some essential maintenance tips apply to all of them. Hoses must be stored and handled carefully to avoid corrosion, kinks and other physical damage. They also must be installed by trained professionals.
Main Materials for Industrial Hoses
There are many kinds of hoses available on the market for industrial use, and Teflon or PTFE and metal are some of the common ones. Below is more information.
Teflon
A Teflon hose is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). It is suitable for high and low-temperature applications and is used in the chemical, food processing, and pharmaceutical industries. To ensure proper maintenance, a Teflon hose mustn’t be kinked. The hose should also be properly checked for signs of stiffness and brittleness. Neutral detergents are important when cleaning this type of hose.
PTFE (Teflon) hoses have two main types: smooth bore and convoluted. The smooth bore has a smooth straight tube liner made of PTFE with an outer braid of stainless steel. This type of hose offers low friction and some good flow characteristics and is typically suitable for places where minimal pressure drop is crucial, as well as easy cleaning.
The convoluted PTFE hose has a corrugated PTFE tube liner, which ensures better flexibility. It is very light and has a longer life span than the smooth bore.
Most Teflon hoses can be reinforced with stainless steel wire braids to increase their strength and pressure resistance. They also use various connection types, including swivel and fixed-type flanges. They can be used for applications such as chlorine transfer, where they are combined with specific materials, such as Hastelloy wire braids.
Metal
Metal hoses are essential in several industries, from medical to automotive. They transport gases, oil, and a multitude of chemical compounds. The structure and fittings must often be inspected for physical damage to ensure longevity. Typically, they can be cleaned simply by using hot water with regular detergent.
Monitoring with IoT
Recently, industrial maintenance has gained a powerful ally: the Internet of Things (IoT). Thanks to IoT technology, critical components such as hoses can be monitored in real-time, allowing for preventive and proactive actions. Modern industrial facilities also rely on data analysis to keep track of hoses’ lifecycles, how long they’ll stay in optimal conditions, and how much strain they can still handle. Above all, it’s necessary to have spare parts should any emergency arise.
