Maintenance Engineering Theory
Understanding MTBF, MTTR & TPM
Key equipment reliability principles from Total Productive Maintenance (TPM):
- MTBF vs. MTTF: MTBF applies to repairable machines; MTTF applies to non-repairable components (e.g. lightbulbs).
- The Leverage of MTTR: While improving MTBF requires redesign or preventive maintenance, reducing MTTR through modular spare parts and rapid diagnostics yields instant availability gains.
- Exponential Reliability R(t): Assumes constant random failure rate $lambda = 1 / ext{MTBF}$ during standard useful life.
- Preventive Maintenance ROI: Shifting from reactive firefighting to scheduled PM reduces total cost of ownership by eliminating expensive emergency dispatch.
Measure overall plant performance in the OEE Lab.