ABSTRACT
This chapter provides some pointers for using the equipment to build quality into the product. Reliable product quality is a prerequisite for doing business. An extremely effective method for implementing quality maintenance and making zero defects a reality is to use autonomous maintenance to root out accelerated deterioration. To prevent defects, the operators have to understand the symptoms that give them clues before defects actually occur. They must learn to recognize abnormal equipment conditions that can affect quality, the ones that give the vague impression that the machine is acting strangely. Only then can the operators hope to achieve zero defects. One extremely effective way to achieve zero defects is to develop a "quality maintenance" program in which the operators set up equipment so defects do not occur and then manage it properly to maintain that condition. The operators need to change "adjustment" to "control."
