ABSTRACT
Total productive maintenance (TPM) is a philosophy, a set of principles, and specific practices aimed at improving manufacturing performance by improving the way that equipment is maintained. The goal of TPM could be described as the development of robust, stable value streams by maximizing overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Some key elements of TPM are: preventive maintenance; predictive maintenance; breakdown maintenance; corrective maintenance; maintenance prevention; and autonomous maintenance. TPM should play a prominent role in any lean manufacturing initiative. TPM shares with lean a strong focus on teamwork and operator involvement, and the need for vigorous, visible commitment and leadership from upper management. Reliability-centered maintenance is generally viewed as belonging to the maintenance function or department, whereas TPM is owned by all. The higher equipment OEE resulting from an effective TPM process enables smoother, more stable material flow with fewer hold-ups and, therefore, shorter lead times. OEE is the product of three factors: availability; performance; and quality.
