Total productive maintenance

Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) is a holistic approach to equipment maintenance that strives to achieve near perfect production processes. Autonomous maintenance is the process where operators are involved in maintaining their own equipment while emphasising proactive and preventative maintenance. Improved processes and continuous improvement are key fundamentals of TPM. The TPM process ensures fewer breakdowns, stops, and defects while also lowering costs and engaging employees from C-level on down. Effective communication techniques and top management support help the functionality of TPM. TPM improves equipment operating conditions, enables the achievement of Takt time at the highest possible machine effectiveness, and sustains equipment at an optima level of performance and reliability. TPM also lengthens the life expectancy of equipment, reduces or eliminates breakdowns, eliminates slow running or small stoppages, and aims for zero defects and zero accidents while engaging operators to be 100% involved and committed. This article provides an overview, introduction, and implementation guide to TPM.