OBSOLESENCE


components, so that you can have a better idea of how long they will still serve you. Finally, make a list of components that are already obsolete or are about to be made obsolete by the OEM.


Step 2: Resource planning Strategic obsolescence management requires resources. Do you have a dedicated budget for periodic upgrades and last-time purchases? Can you afford to hire an obsolescence manager to help you keep track of components life cycles and plan repairs when needed? Most importantly: do you have partnering


agreements with a reliable automation parts supplier? When obsolete components break, knowing who to call can make the difference between hours or weeks of costly downtime.


Step 3: Risk analysis Critical applications, which are essential to operate the entire system, are the ones you should prioritise when putting together an obsolescence plan. If a component of these applications broke down, how much would downtime cost your business? Draw up a risk assessment form to decide whether you can risk them breaking down or whether preventive maintenance is the most convenient option. Analyse how worn their moving parts are,


and research whether they are still available from the OEM or whether there are compatible products on the market. If they’re already obsolete, contact a specialised supplier to get a quote. Since a failure of these components would impact the functionality of the overall system, timely replacement might be the way to avoid unplanned downtime.


Step 4: Shopping and stocking Industrial parts need to be grouped based on their risk of becoming obsolete. For components that are already obsolete,


Obsolescence is the result of technological progress and as such cannot be stopped completely


evaluate the possibility of stockpiling some spares while they’re still relatively abundant on the market. For end-of-life (EOL) components, OEMs may send a last-time buy (LTB) notice and even provide special quotes. This might be the best time to squirrel away some spares. Don’t forget that for larger spare parts you


might need to have a dedicated space in your warehouse. This space and its correlated costs have to be accounted for in step two.


Step 5: The right supplier Based on your analysis of how critical a part is to your process, the speed at which it will wear and its risk of becoming obsolete, you should draw up a plan of where you can source these parts from and how quickly. For example, if a supplier doesn't regularly


hold a specific obsolete VSD in stock, they'll have to source it from a third party, which could be located halfway around the world. Working with an industrial automation parts


supplier like EU Automation means you are safe in the knowledge that when a part does break down, we have the stock and the contacts to get you obsolete replacements quickly.


Step 6: Putting together a database All the data collected so far should be recorded and safely stored. This information is invaluable and collating it into an easy understandable format could save precious time in case of breakage. This doesn’t necessarily mean investing in


an elaborate database. For small to medium plants, it can be enough to have a clear spreadsheet detailing the conditions of critical parts, their likelihood of breaking down, and the contact information of suppliers who have them in stock or can provide them quickly.


Step 7: Reviewing and updating Effective obsolescence management is a full-time job. It takes careful management to keep automated systems pitch perfect, which is the reason why larger businesses opt for hiring an obsolescence manager and sometimes even one or more last-time-buy purchasers who are responsible for managing EOL parts. However, smaller plants can go a long way


by simply keeping their spreadsheets updated and organised. Make sure you subscribe to OEMs’ newsletters to be notified when parts are discontinued and last-time-buys are available. Plan regular checks to update your spreadsheets, increasing their frequency for parts that are already visibly worn. By incorporating obsolescence


management into maintenance plans, companies can minimise the impact of breakdowns, eliminating last minute repair costs and saving money in the long run.


EU Automation www.euautomation.com


Reviewing and updating data is the last step of a proactive obsolescence management strategy NOVEMBER 2021 | ELECTRONICS TODAY 37


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46