William N. Berryman

Engineering Consultant
Morgan Hill, California

Condition-based maintenance (CBM) programs are established based on information collected, such as equipment failure and adjustment points, and determination of mean time between failure (MTBF) of equipment. This information can be gathered in many ways, through data collection processes in the program architecture, predictive technologies (e.g., vibration analysis, ferrography, and thermography), and building automated systems that provide input based on the various adjustments that take place.

This information is compiled and, through either software or statistical analysis, the condition of the equipment can be established at a point in time, or a prediction of when equipment maintenance should be performed (in terms of frequency or run time) can be made.

This is one of the most cost-effective methodologies of maintaining equipment, because only required maintenance is performed. Establishing criticality of the equipment plays a large part in these cost savings.

Reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) is a common application of time-based scheduled preventive maintenance procedures, and of predictive maintenance technologies applied to a specific application that allows for equipment life optimization.

RCM is a very effective methodology for many maintenance programs and, if the program architecture is designed appropriately, could provide cost savings and cost avoidance opportunities.

The keys to an effective RCM are the following:

1. Identifying a delivery method that is, computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) procedures

2. Ensuring that all equipment is...