Mining and industry are under increasing pressure to produce more. Uninterrupted uptime and production is fundamental to sustainably achieving this while remaining profitable. Operators therefore rely heavily on machine reliability to optimise productivity, and this is where service plays a crucial role. Atlas Copco portable air compressors are used by countless industries, from construction and automotive to mining and quarrying. “There is only one way to ensure that these machines run reliably to boost uptime, and that is through regular service and maintenance at the correct intervals by skilled OEM technicians using premium original parts,” states Douw van Schalkwyk, Business Line Manager for Power Technique’s Service Division.
“As service partners, we assist our customers in pushing up machine performance, availability and lifecycle, while keeping operating costs as low as possible. We have tailored our after-market service portfolio to comprehensively cover our customers’ individual needs during the life time of our products.”
Van Schalkwyk unpacks Atlas Copco’s after-market services for portable air compressors which include service, inspection and parts plans, service contracts, refurbishment and engine programmes as well as digital solutions. He highly recommends that customers make use of Atlas Copco’s service maintenance plan as it enables them to take full advantage of preventative maintenance and repairs by factory-trained technicians equipped with the correct tooling.
The service plan provides scheduled service options that will match the precise needs of customers’ compressors with genuine parts quality and professional workmanship. Customers are kept informed through regular service reports for complete peace of mind. Van Schalkwyk points out the service plans, which include preventative maintenance kits, wear and repair kits, an inspection plan and overhauling, have been developed on the basis of customer feedback, application know-how, field support, and product development experience.
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Atlas Copco’s inspection plan includes an equipment audit with a detailed report on equipment status as well as a checklist with recommendations. Regular inspection visits will provide accurate machine diagnostics and exact recommendations. “In addition to maximising machine productivity, it is easy to plan repairs ahead of time, enabling customers to include this during their shutdown,” adds Van Schalkwyk.
“There is simply no counter argument to the fact that only genuine parts guarantee quality, high performance and efficiency,” stresses Van Schalkwyk. “Using genuine parts ensure that Atlas Copco products are maintained to factory specifications, prolonging service life and minimising operating costs.”
“Our parts plan, which consists of a planned parts activity over a two- or three-year period (depending on machine utilisation levels), covers all parts required for maintenance, including filters and fluids and lubricants.” Atlas Copco’s original high quality oil and air filters have passed tough performance tests and are produced to comply with stringent manufacturing standards, offering the best possible sealing between the filter body and the engine.
Van Schalkwyk stresses the importance of using the correct lubricants to achieve maximum uptime, performance and equipment lifetime. He explains: “First of all, every type of machine needs a specific lubricant and secondly, the choice of lubricant is determined by the application and ambient conditions.” Atlas Copco lubricants last longer and perform better and have been especially engineered for their air compressors to match maintenance specifications and provide optimal protection. “Our highly qualified technicians ensure that the correct compressor and engine oil are selected.”
Atlas Copco portable air compressors are built to last, irrespective of whether they are operating 24/7 or subjected to long periods of inactivity. However, these machines often operate in gruelling environments so even the most reliable of machines eventually need refurbishing after many years of productive operation in punishing conditions. Atlas Copco’s specialist team refurbishes air compressors, including the engine, to good as new. “Combining experience and new genuine parts, we return a machine’s performance and productivity to its original state,” says Van Schalkwyk. Customers can choose from two refurbishment programmes (gold and silver) for their portable compressors. All programs include repair on the major systems of compressor and yearly maintenance with fluids. Atlas Copco offers full warranties on their refurbished engines and components.
Atlas Copco’s convenient online platforms such as FleetLink and Power Connect, enable customers, with the click of a button, to stay connected with their machines and equipment, access vital product information and make online purchases 24/7. The intelligent telematics Fleetlink system allows customers to remotely manage their machines fleet (big or small), always having the latest fleet information at hand.
By keeping customers connected to the job-site, machines and teams, FleetLink helps to optimise fleet usage and reduce maintenance cost, ultimately saving time and money. Power Connect, which is available on all smart devices, conveniently provides a direct link to Atlas Copco’s Parts Online where customers can find spare parts and consumables for their Atlas Copco equipment on the up-to-date spare parts catalogue system. Customers simply scan the QR code on their machine to go to the Power Connect Portal. “Our digital solutions enhance product performance, efficiencies and life cycles for sustainable productivity and form a vital part of our after-market service offering,” concludes Van Schalkwyk.
