Preventive maintenance, also referred to as scheduled or preventive servicing, is a maintenance strategy aimed at avoiding failures and unexpected disruptions through regular inspections, servicing, and preventive actions. Instead of waiting for a machine or system to fail, preventive maintenance is planned and performed proactively to increase reliability and extend equipment service life.

Objectives and Benefits

• Failure prevention: Regular inspections and maintenance make it possible to detect and resolve potential issues early, before they lead to serious failures.
• Extended service life: Ongoing care and maintenance increase the lifespan of machines and systems.
• Cost control: Although preventive maintenance involves costs, these are generally lower than the expenses associated with emergency repairs and production downtime.
• Improved safety: Maintaining and inspecting safety-critical components reduces the risk of accidents and equipment failures.

Methods of Preventive Maintenance

1. Time-based maintenance: Maintenance activities are carried out at regular, predefined intervals, regardless of the actual condition of the machine.
2. Condition-based maintenance: Maintenance is performed based on actual operating conditions and machine status, for example by monitoring temperature, vibration, or operating hours.

Typical Measures

• Cleaning and lubrication: Regular cleaning and lubrication of moving parts to prevent wear and corrosion.
• Replacement of wear parts: Timely replacement of components subject to natural wear, such as filters, seals, or bearings.
• Functional testing: Regular checks of the functionality and performance of machines and systems.
• Calibration and adjustment: Ensuring that machines and measuring devices are correctly calibrated and adjusted for optimal performance.

Implementation

Implementing a preventive maintenance strategy requires careful planning and organization. Key steps include:

• Creation of a maintenance plan: Defining maintenance intervals and specific tasks for each machine or system.
• Staff training: Ensuring that maintenance personnel have the required skills and expertise.
• Documentation: Recording all maintenance activities and results to ensure traceability and continuous improvement.