How to Extend the Life of Your Laboratory Equipment
Laboratory instruments are a significant capital investment — whether purchased new or as verified pre-owned units. With proper maintenance, leading instruments from manufacturers such as Perten, Bastak, Chopin, and Carbolite can provide accurate, reliable service for 15–20 years or more. Neglect, by contrast, accelerates wear and leads to costly breakdowns at the worst possible moments. Follow the Manufacturer’s Maintenance Schedule Every instrument comes with a recommended maintenance schedule covering cleaning intervals, lubrication points, consumable replacement, and periodic calibration. These schedules are not suggestions — they are the result of engineering analysis of failure modes. Document every maintenance action in a log book alongside the date, operator, and any observations. Control the Laboratory Environment Temperature and humidity fluctuations are silent destroyers of precision laboratory equipment. Electronic components, optical systems, and mechanical bearings all degrade faster under variable environmental conditions. Aim to maintain your laboratory at a constant 20°C ± 2°C and relative humidity between 50% and 60%. This is especially important for balances, NIR instruments, and polarimeters. Use the Right Consumables The temptation to substitute cheaper generic consumables for manufacturer-specified parts is understandable but frequently costly. For Falling Number instruments, for example, off-specification viscometer tubes alter the fluid dynamics of the test and produce systematically biased results — invalidating all data generated until the error is identified. Always use manufacturer-approved consumables or verified equivalents. Train Your Operators The majority of instrument damage in flour laboratories is caused not by mechanical failure but by operator error. Overloading balances, using incorrect cleaning solvents on optical surfaces, failing to allow warm-up time, and mishandling glassware are all preventable causes of instrument damage. Invest in thorough initial training and refresher sessions when procedures or personnel change. Address Issues Promptly An unusual reading, an unfamiliar noise, or a slower-than-normal response are all early warning signs that something is developing. Addressing these signals promptly — by consulting the service manual, contacting the manufacturer, or engaging a specialist — almost always results in a simpler and cheaper repair than waiting until the instrument fails completely.