Planning for Success: Equipment manufacturers

If you will need to consult the manufacturer on any details of design or maintenance during the analysis, try to agree in advance how that process will work so that the analysis isn’t stalled waiting for information.

Details that you may need include

  • Information about parts and materials used
  • Background information on the reasoning behind the manufacturer's recommended maintenance
  • Design specifications, and how your own usage may differ from the maker's assumptions

Don't expect too much from manufacturers. Makers of specialist equipment may have extensive failure records, especially if they routinely carry out maintenance on behalf of several clients, but it isn't uncommon for a manufacturer to have less concrete information about equipment failure than their customers.