Scheduling Preventive Maintenance

Why Schedule Maintenance?

Unplanned breakdowns always cost more than planned maintenance — in parts, in lost production time, and sometimes in rush-shipping fees for replacement components. Scheduled preventive maintenance keeps machines running reliably and makes costs predictable.

Example: A CO2 laser tube has a rated life of approximately 4,000 hours. Replacement tubes cost around €180. If you schedule replacement at 3,500 hours, you control when the work happens (during a quiet period, with the tube in stock). If you wait for failure, the machine stops unexpectedly, you may wait days for a tube, and you lose production.

Steps: Scheduling a Maintenance Task

1. Go to Machines & Equipment and open the relevant machine.
2. Click the Maintenance tab.
3. Click Schedule Maintenance.
4. Enter a Description of the task, for example:
   • "Replace laser tube"
   • "Clean and re-level print bed"
   • "Lubricate guide rails"
   • "Replace extruder nozzle"
5. Set the trigger type:
   • Due date: a specific calendar date (for annual servicing, warranty-mandated checks, etc.).
   • Due hours: a cumulative machine-hour threshold (for tasks tied to usage, like "every 500 hours").
6. Enter the due date or due hours value.
7. Optionally assign the task to a team member.
8. Click Save.

Recurring Maintenance

For tasks that repeat (e.g., clean the lens every 100 hours), you can set the interval. After each completion is recorded, the next task is scheduled automatically at the same interval from the completion date or hours.

Viewing Upcoming Maintenance

On the machine record, the Maintenance tab shows all scheduled tasks with their status:

• Upcoming — not yet due.
• Due soon — within the warning threshold (configurable).
• Overdue — past the due date or hours.
• Completed — recorded as done.

Recommended Maintenance Schedule Examples

CO2 Laser Cutter:

• Clean laser lens — every 50 hours
• Check mirror alignment — every 200 hours
• Replace laser tube — at 3,500 hours
• Full service — annually

FDM 3D Printer:

• Re-level bed — every 50 hours or after any failed print
• Replace nozzle — every 300 hours (sooner if printing abrasive filament)
• Lubricate Z-axis lead screw — every 500 hours