Regardless of what you use your lab equipment for, you likely want to get the most use out of it that you can. Lab equipment and its repairs can be expensive, so you want to make it last. Here are some tips on how to prolong the use of your lab equipment no matter what type of lab you have.
Carry Out Maintenance
Keeping up with regular maintenance on your lab equipment is one of the most effective ways to increase its longevity. You should schedule tune-ups when your tools need them. And don’t put off repairs either. The longer you try to use a piece of equipment that’s in disrepair, the more damage you’ll do to it. You could even end up hurting yourself or breaking the equipment beyond repair.
Conduct Inspections and Assessments
You need to conduct routine inspections to know when your tools require maintenance and repairs. You want to catch any equipment errors or damages before they have a chance to develop into something bigger. This is where regular inspections come in. You should also assess equipment for accuracy and to ensure that it meets lab quality and safety standards.
Calibrate at the Right Time
Along with proper maintenance and inspections, don’t forget to calibrate your equipment regularly. Some equipment will only provide accurate data when calibrated often. Regular use of digital (and some manual) equipment can naturally cause it to develop a margin of error. Calibration is basically like hitting a reset button. If you want accurate results and data, you must take the time to do this often.
Clean Equipment Regularly
While it may sound obvious, you’d be surprised to see how quickly equipment that doesn’t receive regular cleaning can deteriorate. Layers of dust, residue from samples, dirt, and more can put extra wear and tear on lab equipment that wouldn’t occur otherwise. Make sure you clean your tools per manufacturer suggestions after every use in the lab.
With these tips for how to prolong the use of your lab equipment, you can minimize tool repairs and get the most out of your tools. Keeping up with these tips is a great way to save money and stretch your lab budget.
