At one time, it was a big deal to get maintenance departments to move from reactive maintenance to preventive maintenance (PM). But many plants made the transition, at least in part. When affordable, fully-featured computerized maintenance management systems (CMMSs) became available for desktop computers, the shift was even greater.
While reactive maintenance is still being done more than it should be, companies generally support a PM orientation in their maintenance departments. But usually only when maintenance people aren’t repairing things, other departments aren’t dumping project work on them, and executives with stock options haven’t “deferred” maintenance in a cost-increasing (short-term cost saving) effort to boost the stock price.
With those and other barriers to keeping PMs on schedule and done correctly, it’s the rare shop that can keep equipment running properly by relying on PMs. You must think outside that box. Using predictive technologies, such as infrared and ultrasonic (especially if used together), is a good place to start.
