TPM is a long term strategy aimed at ensuring the maximum availability and reliability of machines and production equipment. Since availability is the key factor influencing the productivity level (OEE), we need to track production running time to capture all losses caused by breakdowns, setups, planned and unplanned maintenance, programmed breaks and any organizational issues, e.g. idling reasons. If the measurement of these losses is accurate, we can finally calculate the level of micro-stoppages and speed losses which affect Performance – the second element of the OEE calculation method.
Effective TPM maintenance strategy is focused on preventing breakdowns, micro-stoppages and speed losses. The key element, apart from Autonomous Maintenance, is to set Planned Maintenance to prevent machine failures and breakdowns. This will result in Focused Improvement to reduce micro-stoppages and losses that effect efficiencies.
Module 11 of Academy presents the complete TPM strategy and its components in a friendly way. In particular, we will learn about the new role for maintenance technicians and production operators (AM, referred to in Module 12)
TPM is also a philosophy and way of thinking concentrated upon the general rule of preventing instead of reacting to a problem.