ABSTRACT
In the previous chapter, we learned that an effective maintenance program incorporates three types of inspections: operational inspections, replacement inspections, and those inspections that necessitate an equipment shutdown. In all three of these inspection classes, there often is the need to utilize diagnostic techniques in order to predict maintenance by identifying a particular disorder and its magnitude. Just as the physician has many diagnostic techniques to assist in preventive medicine so does the predictive maintenance program necessitate the use of diagnostic methods. The techniques should be utilized regularly on all critical equipment so that imminent failure can be predicted and scheduled maintenance and repair can take place before breakdown.
