A structured approach to the selection of condition based maintenance

Condition based maintenance (CBM) triggers maintenance activity on a parameter which is indicative of machine health. Regular tasks, which are the staple of planned preventive maintenance become scheduled inspections and measurements rather than repair or replacements, and actions are only scheduled when they are really needed. It is important that CBM is applied to appropriate problems in plant, rather than as an overall policy. The first stages of the structured approach define the problems from failure history and plant criticality. Plant criticality, in terms of safety, capital value, and influence on value of production, determines areas which are likely to be cost effective. Management evaluation and control aims to maximise cost effectiveness by regular review of selection of plant and techniques. This paper details a structured method for achieving the above, which combines a theoretical model with practical experience, and describes successful applications in the automotive industry and in the building services sector