Total productive maintenance

This system is focussed on maintaining and improving the integrity of the production, safety and quality systems through the machines. It can also be used for equipment, processes and employees which add value to an organization. TPM or Total productive maintenance has been developed from the perspective of maintenance management. It focuses primarily on productivity improvements.

What is TPM?

This holistic approach to equipment maintenance strives to achieve perfect production. Therefore it focuses on achieving the following key factors:

–          No breakdowns

–          No Small stops or slow running

–          No Defects

In addition it is also focuses on maintaining a safe working environment. This inlcludes preventing accidents from happening and making sure that the enivornment is safe for everyone. So basically, total productive maintenance focuses to maximize efficiency of equipment but also makes sure ones working environment is safe. The implementation of this method creates a shared responsibility for equipment and encourages greater involvement by plant floor workers.

What does TPM Teach?

The most improtant task of total productive maintenance is to teach factories to give ownership of the machines on the production floor. Operators work daily with these machines so they know how these machines should be maintained and how these machines should be operated. This way, improving overall equipment effectiveness lies not only on the maintenance department but the whole organization.