【SHPI Guide】How to Prevent Production Line Downtime | SHPI Pneumatic Tubing & Fittings Guide
Introduction: Why 24/7 Non-Stop Production Matters
In factory, the last thing you want to hear is: “Hey, the line just stopped!”
Whether fully automated or semi-automated, once the production line stops, output drops, cost increase, and all pressure falls on both engineering team and downstream customer.Some people might ask:"Does a production line really need to run24/7? Can't it take a break like humans do?”
Unfortunately, the reality doesn't work like that.
Take the central air compressor as an example.
It must maintain stable pressure to supply the entire factory's pneumatic equipments. If it stops, every machine and tool that relies on compressed air goes down instantly. The same applies to injection molding machines, CNC machines, electroplating cells, and chemical tanks — all require continuous pneumatic air or fluid circulation. Even a short interruption can ruin production quality and lead to massive losses.
Instead of asking "Why must we run non-stop?”, the real question is "How can we make it non-stop?”
That's why SHPI prepared this quick Q&A guide – to help you diagnose the issue and find the solutions.Q1: Why Is 24/7 Production Line Maintenance So Challenging?
There are countless reasons why a production line may stop. The trickiest one often the small thing that brings whole system shuts down. It happens normally like without routine machine maintenance, a part stuck in supply or even one air tubing/ pneumatic tube and makes it fail. For engineers, nothing is worse than“One tiny part caused the entire system shutdown.”Q2: The Most Overlooked Pneumatic Parts: Tubes & Fittings
Tubes and fittings are often underestimated.
People tend to think,“It's just a tube, just a fitting.”
But in reality:✅ Imprecise tubing tolerance leads to unstable air pressure and immediate yield loss.
✅ Poor-quality fittings waste hours in leak troubleshooting or get stuck during maintenance, increasing downtime risks.Q3: How Do I Choose The Right Pneumatic Tubing?
The first step is always choosing the right tubing.
SHPI has prepared a detail comparison table of common pneumatic tubing characteristics and applications, ensuring you find the best match for your environment.
| Tubing | Features | Applications |
| Polyurethane Tubing - ESTER | Light, flexible, abrasion resistance | Dry and general industrial environments |
| Polyurethane Tubing -ETHER | Hydrolysis, anti-microbial, FDA compliant | High humidity, outdoor, food processing |
| Nylon Tubing-PA6 | High rigidity, high pressure resistance | CNC machines, industrial environment |
| Nylon Tubing-PA12 | Low moisture absorption, UV resistance, abrasion, chemical resistance, FDA compliant | Semiconductor, automotive, outdoor |
| LDPE Tubing | Chemical stability, FDA compliant |
Drinking
water, food processing, chemical, cooing water |
| Anti-Spark Tubing | PU inner layer(lightweight& flexible) + UL94 V-0 flame-retardant jacket | Welding, cutting, high spark zone |
Q4: How Else Can I Reduce Downtime Risks?
✔ Use SHPI One Touch FittingsHigh precision, leak-free, and tool-free. Operators can replace a tube with just one hand, instantly boosting maintenance efficiency.
✔ Adopt Spare Parts Management
Treat tubing and fittings as consumables. Build a modular spare parts inventory, and let SHPI supply them on schedule. Maintenance becomes as simple and quick as swapping consumables— no more waiting for missing parts.
Q5: What Difference Will It Actually Make?
By addressing tubing and fittings at the root, you will:
✔ Dramatically reduce downtime risks— stable pressure, stable yield.
✔ Increase maintenance efficiency— quick replacements, like consumables.
✔ Simple operation— one-hand, intuitive fitting replacement.In short: less downtime, fewer repairs, and stable productivity.
Q6: How Often Should Pneumatic Tubing Be Replaced?
This is the most common on-site questions.
The answer depends on the "working environment".
The key point is not about how long it lasts, but about replacing it at the first sign of problems.
The tubing cost is small, but a burst tube causes massive downtime cost.
| Tubing Type | Recommend Check Cycle | Notes |
| PU Tubing (General Factory Environment) | Every 1-2 years | Replace when hardened, cracked or discolored |
|
PU Tubing / Nylon Tubing (High Humidity or Food Processing) |
About 1 year | Moisture, cleaning agents speed up aging |
|
Nylon Tubing
(High Pressure or High Frequency Use, e.g. CNC, Automotive) |
Every 6~12 months | keep spare tubes ready on site |
|
Special
Environment (Welding, Outdoor, Chemical Exposure) |
Quarterly | Replace earlier if sign of wear appear |
Conclusion: Build A Stable 24/7 Production Line With SHPI
Achieving non-stop production is not about pushing equipment to the limit – it's about choosing the right tube and fittings, combined with smart maintenance planning.
Contact SHPI today for high-quality pneumatic tubing and one-touch fittings.
Together, we'll help you build a stable, reliable, and truly continuous 24/7 production line.