Why Using OEM Genuine Parts Is Critical for Your Equipment?
Why is it important to use OEM genuine parts when repairing your equipment? Here are three simple, yet important, reasons.
Employee Safety. Safety can be compromised when processing machinery is not properly maintained with genuine parts. Extensive research, time, and money are invested in developing OEM products to ensure the highest standards of safety and performance are met. When using knock-off parts, there is no guarantee these components meet the OEM’s current standards. They are not subjected to the OEM quality requirements or design standards and are often made from substitute materials which drives the lower purchase cost. Off-spec designs, however, can affect the function and safety of the product, which can lead to premature wear, damage to equipment, and even accidents, putting operators at a considerable safety risk.
Operating Performance. Using genuine parts is the only way to ensure the highest product quality and integrity is maintained. It is also the only way to ensure you have the latest material specs and design for the product.
Return on Investment (ROI). The life-cycle cost of parts from third-party suppliers is invariably much higher when knockoffs are made to a different quality standard. The initial purchase cost can often be higher when parts do not fit correctly or need to be re-machined to fit the current geometry of the mating component.
According to Steve Fielding, senior vice president of corporate accounts at Kadant Solutions, “Using genuine parts ensures the highest product quality and integrity is maintained when repairing OEM equipment. We have witnessed numerous cases of aftermarket parts used incorrectly leading to equipment damage, production losses, and safety risks. These outcomes can be minimized when Kadant genuine parts are used.”
OEM VERSUS KNOCKOFF PARTS
Let’s take a couple of real-world examples of Kadant Solutions Genuine Parts versus a knockoff part. The spray nozzles below appear the same. You can get the one on the left for 50% less than the one on the right. Why would you go with the more expensive option?
The answer is thread galling. Thread galling issues are common with high-pressure spray nozzles during installation and removal. However, using Kadant’s OEM spray nozzles with Arrestech nozzle enhancement stops thread galling and speeds installation.
Let’s look at another example.
When working with a creping blade holder all conforming tubes are the same, right? 
Wrong. When using a Kadant Conformatic™ creping blade holder there is a liquid conforming tube that is critical to its operation. If the liquid load tube is replaced with a solid plastic tube, or even worse, a solid stainless rod, this will drastically reduce the efficiency of the creping holder and result in uneven load, poor blade profiles, and a tendency to vibrate and cause chatter marks.
The DST-style blade holder parts that should be replaced regularly on paper machine applications are the top-plate assembly, pivot rod, and load tubes. We recommend the top-plate assembly and pivot rod be checked bi-annually for any damage and replaced every two years. The load tubes are recommended to be changed annually and inspected every six months. Each of these recommendations depends on the blade holder application.
Why is it important to use Kadant genuine parts when replacing these elements?
Kadant Solutions DST-style blade holder load tubes are designed to a different diameter and quality than other aftermarket brands. If a paper machine uses a Kadant Solutions DST-style holder such as a StaClean™ blade holder, other aftermarket load lubes will not fit correctly leading to shorter blade life and a less efficient process.
Look for the Kadant Solutions Genuine Parts seal to be reassured you are using the highest quality repair parts.
