Which activities are typical in preventive maintenance for an industrial robot?

• A. Reprogram the control software for every task, remove all guarding, and repaint the robot.
• B. Only replace sensors when they fail, ignore lubrication.
• C. Increase payload to test structural limits.
• D. Inspect and replace belts, lubricants, drive motors, sensors, cables, alignment checks, guarding, and calibrations.

Answer: (D)

Preventive maintenance is about proactively addressing wear and tear before failures happen, keeping the robot safe and reliable. Regularly inspecting and replacing wear items and critical components — belts, lubricants, drive motors, sensors, cables, along with alignment checks, guarding integrity, and periodic calibrations — helps maintain accuracy, reduce unexpected downtime, and extend the robot’s life. The other options go beyond maintenance: reprogramming software for every task, removing guarding, and repainting are not standard preventive tasks and can compromise safety; replacing sensors only after failure and neglecting lubrication is reactive and neglects essential upkeep; and testing structural limits by increasing payload is not maintenance and risks damage.