What is Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)?
Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) is a maintenance philosophy that focuses on preventing and improving equipment reliability. The goal of TPM is to reduce the number of breakdowns, reduce the amount of time spent on maintenance, and improve equipment performance.
There are three main principles of Total Productive Maintenance:
- Reducing unused capacity (or "slack") in the production process, so that all processes are running at full capacity and no resources are wasted
- Minimizing variability in machine performance through regular preventative maintenance, so that machines can deliver consistent output over time
- Ensuring seamless product flow through efficient repair processes so that machines can be fixed quickly
What Are the Goals of TPM?
As a management system that focuses on reducing costs and improving quality by making equipment maintenance a top priority, the goals of TPM are to:
- Reduce costs by ensuring that all equipment is working at peak performance
- Reduce downtime by preventing breakdowns before they occur, which saves time and money
- Increase productivity by making sure that all equipment is working properly, which increases output
Why Is TPM Important?
Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) is an important part of a company's maintenance strategy because it allows for more efficient and effective maintenance operations. The goal of TPM is to reduce the time, cost, and waste associated with producing equipment that is not up and running.
TPM makes it easier for employees to perform their jobs, which increases morale and productivity. It also reduces work stoppages, which means less waste and fewer product defects.
How Do I Implement TPM in My Business?
Implementing TPM in your business can be a great way to increase efficiency and reduce waste. The key, though, is to get it right the first time! Here are some tips for getting started:
- Talk with your employees about TPM as a whole and how it will help them be more productive.
- Educate yourself on what TPM is and how it works — you do not want to accidentally start implementing poorly researched or outdated practices.
- Find out what your vendors' policies are regarding TPM. This will help you know whether or not any of their products are compatible with TPM principles.
- Set up a system for monitoring equipment using sensors linked up to computers that keep track of its condition; this will allow you to see when machines need repairs or maintenance before they break down completely.
- Make sure all employees know how important it is to follow safety precautions at all times when working with machinery that has been identified as needing regular maintenance checks (e.g., changing oil every three months).
