Machinery inspection services are important for any type of organisation that deals with heavy equipment or machinery. No matter if it is used excavator inspections, or for new heavy machinery. These types of inspections are not only there to prevent production errors. But it can also save you money in the long run, as its generally speaking more expensive to replace an equipment rather than having it repaired.
In this guide, you’ll learn the basics of common machinery inspection services and clarify when and in what scenario it can be useful to hire a third party inspection service.
What Is a Machine Inspection?
A machine inspection is a systematic process of inspecting a machine, or parts of it, for defects or other requirements. It can be completed under different scenarios, including inspecting the machinery before it’s shipped to a customer or scheduled on a regular basis to identify possible issues and forecast necessary maintenance needs.
What Are the Common Machinery Inspections?
Machinery and materials inspections can range anywhere from simple checklists to more in-depth customized inspections, testing, and verification checklists that are based on technical engineering requirements.
It is always a wise idea to inspect the machinery before you ask the supplier to send it to your location. The type of service may vary depending on your local regulations, complexity or size of the machinery and other relevant technical or client requirements. For those looking to import machinery from Asia, we’ve got a dedicated guide to importing machinery from China.
The 4 Most Common Machinery Inspection Services
1. Pre-Production Inspections for Machinery
The purpose of a pre-production inspection is to identify quality risks before the production process begins. The technical inspector would assess factors such as the quantity and quality of the raw material for the production of the machinery, and assess whether or not the factory is ready for mass production.
2. Pre-Shipment Inspection for Machinery (PSI)
The machinery PSI inspection is commonly used by importers and performed before the machinery is shipped to the customer. It includes checking for defects classified as minor, major, or critical based on predetermined tolerance levels. Additionally, assessing the quality of the materials used in the product, how it has been constructed, whether its weight, color, marking, and labelling are according to the design specification. But it can also include other parts as per the clients’ quality standards, technical specifications, and contractual requirements.
Check here a sample of Pre-Shipment inspection Report for Machinery:
3. During Production Inspection for Machinery (DPI)
The during production inspections are conducted to detect whether production is running smoothly and to prevent problems early on in the manufacturing process. The inspector would take a random sampling of semi-finished and finished products and for example evaluate the product line and timeline verification.
4. Container Loading/Unloading for Machinery
Machineries are often very expensive to purchase. As such, businesses often order loading and unloading services to ensure the machinery is loaded and unloaded correctly and minimize the risk of mishandling. The inspector typically evaluates a variety of factors such as the condition of the container, product information, and packaging compliance.
What Are Other Common Inspections for Machinery?
Technical inspection experts look for flaws in the construction of a machine or any other equipment that might lead to downtime or a failure. Depending on the purpose of their inspection, they may look for defects in materials, its construction, or as other stated in the technical documents, legislation, or as required by the client using various diagnostic tools. We summarized some key inspection areas below:
Visual Inspections in Machinery Inspections
These could generally be labeled into two categories: internal machine inspections and external machine inspections.
- Internal machine inspections (for example checking the working surfaces for any abnormalities, built up varnish, or sediment inside the reservoir)
- External machine inspections (for example the general cleanliness of the machine, oil leaks, any smoke).
Audible Inspections in Machinery Inspections
Audible inspections of machinery can detect defects and malfunctions in most types of machinery. They are typically conducted using ultrasound, or by the naked ear using a stethoscope. It can include:
- Checking the engine sound for any sputtering during different speed or conditions.
- The noise made by the machinery during operation.
Other Inspections in Machinery Inspections
Other common inspections include monitoring the condition of the machinery by checking the heat it produces, solid contaminants inside the machinery, touching the machinery to sense any abnormal vibrations, smelling for distinctive burnt smell or other abnormal smells. Other common checks include:
- Engine performance
- Brake systems
- Battery
- Oil level and condition
- Rear hitch
What Are the Benefits of Inspecting Machinery?
The purpose of inspecting machinery is to ensure that all parts are functioning and safe to use. As well as reducing the risk of damage and future downtime. There are multiple benefits of ordering inspection services for machinery, ranging from:
- Preventing future damage to equipment.
- Reducing downtime and replacement costs in the long-run.
- Ensure the equipment is up its best condition.
- Increase the service life of the machine.
- Improve the quality of manufacturing processes.
Conclusion: The Complete Guide to Machinery Inspection Services
Proper machinery inspection procedures, including quality control and testing, can help save your business money by avoiding production errors or downtime for replacement costs in the long run.
There are a series of inspections services available, ranging from PSI machinery inspections.
Whether you need help inspecting a machinery from a supplier, or help monitoring an unloading of a container, HQTS is here for you. We offer extensive machinery inspection services, testing, audit, certification and consulting experience, and can offer our services worldwide. Including the United Kingdom, Malaysia, China, India, Vietnam, the United States, and many other countries.
Contact us today if you have any inquires about machinery inspections.
