Protect my autoclave door?
It’s just a door, right?
Consider this: If ALL your equipment doesn’t work correctly, your production rate suffers – and so will your bottom line.
While a door may seem like an insignificant component, it’s really not.
Here are 3 reasons you should consider taking some time to inspect and maintain your autoclave’s door.
Like the door on your home, your autoclave’s door protects you from the elements.
In this case, the “elements” are the chemicals inside your autoclave and the process that happens.
Have you ever considered what could happen if the door failed when the autoclave is in operation?
This photo shows the results of an autoclave door that failed. (Source: University of Kentucky)
Or for many today, sticker shock!
The cost of an autoclave door equates to roughly 40% of the cost of a new autoclave.
With a new 6′ diameter door’s estimated cost being around $85,000.00, that is probably close to what many of you paid for the entire autoclave back in the “70s!
And we haven’t even considered the additional costs of cutting the existing door off so you can install the new one.
Needless to say, it pays to keep your autoclave door in good working order.
An improperly maintained door can decrease your ROI (return on investment)
through premature failure of door components and/or increased treating or cure cycle times.
Here’s an example:
Say you lose 5 charges of production per year due to a leaking autoclave door. How would that affect your bottom line? Ignore it, and over the typical 30-year lifespan of the autoclave, you could lose 150 total charges of production!
Why lose 150 – or even 1 – charge of production when it’s so easy to inspect and maintain your door?
You put a lot of money into your autoclave system.
With the door alone costing such a pretty penny, it’s vital that you do everything you can to maintain it and make any necessary repairs quickly.
A few minutes of labor, time and a little grease go a long way in keeping your autoclave’s door in optimum condition.
Do you have an inspection/maintenance plan for your autoclave?
