Using Accelerated Life Testing techniques for preventive maintenance scheduling

Every company is dependent on some type of asset that keeps the business in business - be it a computer, a centrifuge or a megawatt transformer. In a large enterprise, reducing costs related to asset maintenance, repair and ultimate replacement is at the top of management concerns. Downtime in any network, manufacturing or computer system ultimately results not only in high repair costs, but in customer dissatisfaction and lower potential sales. In response to these concerns, this paper presents a methodology for using Accelerated Life Testing techniques for evaluating and projecting preventive maintenance schedules. It provides valuable guidelines for planning an enterprise system that monitors critical maintenance processes and assets. The paper also presents an application in a turbine where the technique was used in determining the right maintenance interval.