In JIT/lean systems “preventive maintenance” is designed to provide a rapid response after a breakdown has occurred to get the equipment back on line as fast as possible. True False
The correct answer and explanation is :
Correct Answer: False
Explanation:
In Just-in-Time (JIT) or Lean manufacturing systems, preventive maintenance (PM) is a proactive approach designed to prevent equipment breakdowns rather than reacting to them after they occur. The primary goal of preventive maintenance is to maintain equipment in optimal working condition through regular inspections, servicing, and scheduled maintenance tasks.
Why the Statement is False?
- Preventive Maintenance vs. Reactive Maintenance:
- Preventive Maintenance focuses on planned and scheduled maintenance activities to prevent failures before they happen.
- The statement describes reactive maintenance (or breakdown maintenance), which is performed only after equipment has failed.
- JIT and Lean Principles:
- JIT and Lean systems emphasize waste reduction, continuous improvement (Kaizen), and minimizing downtime to improve efficiency.
- Unplanned equipment breakdowns cause disruptions, leading to production delays, increased costs, and inefficiencies—contrary to JIT principles.
- Preventive maintenance ensures smooth production flow by identifying potential issues before they result in failures.
- Total Productive Maintenance (TPM):
- Many Lean systems incorporate Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), which integrates preventive maintenance to enhance equipment reliability and avoid unexpected breakdowns.
- TPM involves operators in routine maintenance tasks to increase equipment uptime and productivity.
- Impact on Operations:
- If companies relied solely on responding after a breakdown (reactive maintenance), it would lead to unplanned downtime, costly repairs, and production delays.
- Preventive maintenance helps reduce emergency repairs, extend equipment life, and improve safety.
Conclusion:
The statement is false because preventive maintenance is not about rapid response after a breakdown but rather about scheduled maintenance to prevent breakdowns from occurring in the first place.