Introduction to Maintenance in Production Systems

Abstract

“Maintenance is the combination of all technical, administrative and managerial actions during the life cycle of an item intended to retain it in, or restore it to, a state in which it can perform the required function” (EN 13306:2001 Maintenance terminology). This chapter examines the fundamental definitions concerning maintenance, and discusses the maintenance question in product manufacturing companies or service suppliers. Emphasis is placed on integrating maintenance with the other activities of a company (e. g., production, R&D, quality assurance, purchasing). In conclusion, a survey on the status of maintenance in industrial companies and several observations about maintenance outsourcing are discussed.