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Industrial Centrifuge Maintenance: On-Site Field Service

Written by Quenton Lind | August 14, 2024 at 1:56 PM

At Separators, we don't just care about centrifuge maintenance — we live and breathe it. As North America's largest independent service technician organization for Alfa Laval, Tetra Pak, and Westfalia high-speed disc centrifuges, we're all about meeting your needs head-on, whether they're routine or unexpected.

So, what all do we offer for on-site, in-person plant support? Let's walk through it.

On-site centrifuge service offerings

Our services go beyond your typical major and minor service visits. Explore each of our on-site services.

Preventative maintenance: minor service

Minor centrifuge service is a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of maintaining optimal equipment performance. While it may result in brief operational pauses, these short-term inconveniences prevent more extensive and costly downtimes in the future.

This service typically includes:

  1. Inspection of critical components
  2. Lubrication of moving parts
  3. Cleaning of accessible areas
  4. Adjustment of minor imbalances

By regularly performing these quick checks and adjustments, operators can significantly extend the centrifuge's lifespan and maintain its efficiency.

To minimize disruption, consider scheduling minor services during natural workflow lulls or coordinating with other planned maintenance activities.

Preventative maintenance: major service

Major centrifuge service, though more time-consuming, is essential for ensuring long-term reliability and preventing catastrophic failures. While the extended downtime may seem daunting, the benefits far outweigh the temporary loss in productivity. This comprehensive service involves:

  1. Complete disassembly and thorough inspection
  2. Replacement of worn parts and seals
  3. Realignment and balancing of rotating components
  4. Deep cleaning of all internal surfaces
  5. Electrical and control system checks

To mitigate the impact of major service downtime:

  • Plan well in advance, scheduling during periods of lower demand
  • Consider having a backup centrifuge for critical processes
  • Use the downtime to train staff on centrifuge operations and maintenance
  • Combine major service with other facility upgrades or maintenance tasks

Remember, investing time in major services now can prevent unexpected breakdowns and extend equipment life, ultimately saving time and resources in the long run.

Emergency service

Unexpected issues can arise at any time, usually causing significant disruptions to your operations. That's why we offer emergency service with technician support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Our emergency service includes:

  1. Immediate assessment: Our expert will quickly diagnose the issue and determine the best course of action.
  2. Rapid response: A skilled technician will be dispatched to your site as quickly as possible.
  3. On-the-spot repairs: Whenever possible, we'll perform repairs immediately to minimize downtime.
  4. Temporary solutions: If a full repair isn't immediately feasible, we'll implement temporary fixes to keep you operational. This may include installing a rental bowl so that we can bring yours back to our Indianapolis shop.
  5. Follow-up support: We'll schedule any necessary follow-up visits to ensure that your repair holds up longterm.

Our technicians are equipped with a wide range of tools and common replacement parts, enabling them to address most emergencies on their first visit. In cases of catastrophic failure, they'll work tirelessly to get your centrifuge operational again, coordinating with our support team for additional resources if needed.

Installation and startup support

Proper installation and initial setup are crucial and can make or break your equipment. We make sure your centrifuges are installed correctly each and every time by providing startup support to get you up and running smoothly.

Automation support

Modern centrifuge systems are more efficient — but that's made possible by complex automation. Our automation experts and technicians offer expert support to optimize and troubleshoot automation systems, ensuring seamless integration with your existing processes.

On-site centrifuge operator training

Want your in-house team to better understand how to keep your centrifuges in good shape? We provide on-site training to equip your team with the skills needed to operate your centrifuges effectively.

Over-the-phone troubleshooting

Sometimes, you need on-site assistance — but that don't necessarily need a service technician to be with you in person to fix your centrifuge.

In those cases, our team of experts can help you troubleshoot your issue over the phone. If your issue is bigger than a quick fix, we can deploy a service technician to your plant ASAP to get their hands on your machine to address the root of your problem.

Sending the best centrifuge experts to your plant

Our team of full-time service technicians is dedicated to providing exceptional service across the United States. And every single one of our on-site field services is committed to getting your equipment back in action with minimal disruption to your operations. We'll come when it's most convenient for you — whether that's Mondays or in the middle of the night.

And for those inconvenient emergencies? Heck, we won't even leave your plant until we know that you're in good shape — even if that means we spend the night at the hotel down the road in order to make sure your centrifuge is functioning as expected.

Why choose us for your plant's service?

When you need on-site field service, you can count on Separators to deliver prompt, professional, and reliable support. Our technicians bring their extensive expertise directly to your facility, ready to address any issue at a moment's notice. With our unwavering commitment to exceptional service and customer satisfaction, we ensure that your centrifuge equipment remains in optimal working condition, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity.

At Separators, we're not just a service company; we're your dedicated partner in maintaining the efficiency and reliability of your industrial centrifuges. We give a damn about your equipment and your business — and it shows in everything we do.