» Articles » True cost of automation downtime explored in new white paper from Mitsubishi Electric

True cost of automation downtime explored in new white paper from Mitsubishi Electric

What exactly is the cost of automation downtime to the modern day manufacturing industry? That is the question being posed by a new white paper from Mitsubishi Electric, which PIF explores in this article.

Unexpected production stoppages are increasingly unacceptable in modern manufacturing environments. This is especially true in the food industry where lost output, penalty clauses and upset customers are all common pitfalls.

The true cost of automation downtime

Fortunately, much of today’s automation equipment is extremely reliable and will run for many years. This can mean that the provision for correct care and maintenance can easily be overlooked. In the absence of a coherent plan, on the rare occasion when problems do arise, the results can have a catastrophic effect on productivity.

Free downloadable white paper

A new white paper from Mitsubishi Electric, which is free to download, provides an overview of service support options that can be used to avoid or mitigate the effects of an unplanned stoppage. This includes cataloguing and managing automation equipment of any age and from any vendor. It also covers ensuring provision is made to monitor, service and – if necessary – provide a replacement route for both current and legacy hardware and software.

Service and support provision can often be provided, under contract, by automation equipment manufacturers. The white paper reviews both the implications of not looking after automation equipment and conversely the benefits of a bespoke support service that can be adapted for the requirements of each individual department or plant.

The cost of down-time can run to thousands of pounds an hour

The cumulative cost of downtime is often under-appreciated but can literally run to thousands of pounds an hour. Considerations such as up-to-date backup copies of operational software can make the difference between a quick changeover of hardware, such as a PLC, to many hours of reprogramming if the code is corrupted or lost.

Many elements beyond the obvious parts, labour and lost production however contribute to the overall losses, including:

  • Knock-on effect on other systems.
  • Penalty clauses.
  • Increased liability insurance.
  • Insurance claims.
  • Cost of investigation and review.
  • Health and Safety investigations.
  • Additional shift work to catch up.
  • Reputational damage.

The white paper, entitled The True Cost of Automation Downtime, explores all of these issues and suggests remedies that will help minimise costs and disruption caused by unexpected stoppages. Download a copy today to ensure you fully understand your options in order to avoid or minimise disruption from a sudden glitch in your automation components and systems.

Download the full white paper for free here.

Company Profile

Mitsubishi Electric Europe

As the UK arm of one of the world’s leading manufacturing companies, Mitsubishi Electric has been supplying automation products and solutions to the UK for over 35 years.

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