Preventive Maintenance
Last updated 2026.02.13Definition
Preventive Maintenance refers to planned maintenance activities performed before equipment or machinery failures occur. Through regular inspections, part replacements, cleaning, and lubrication, it aims to maintain equipment functionality and prevent unexpected breakdowns. Unlike breakdown maintenance, it is executed according to predetermined schedules or operating hour criteria.
Application in Manufacturing
In manufacturing environments, preventive maintenance is a key strategy for stable production line operation and cost reduction.
Main Application Methods
- Time-Based Maintenance (TBM): Regular inspections based on operating hours or calendar schedules
- Usage-Based Maintenance: Part replacement according to production volume or operation cycles
- Checklist Operations: Standardized daily/weekly/monthly inspection items
- Lubrication Management: Regular lubrication of bearings, gears, and wear-prone areas
Evolution with AI-Driven Maintenance
Recent manufacturing AI is evolving preventive maintenance into predictive maintenance. By utilizing sensor data and machine learning, it predicts optimal maintenance timing based on actual equipment conditions. This reduces over-maintenance and enables precise intervention at the right moment.
Key Points
- Downtime Reduction: Minimize unplanned stops through scheduled maintenance
- Equipment Life Extension: Delay aging through regular care
- Cost Efficiency: 30-40% maintenance cost reduction compared to breakdown maintenance
- AI Integration: Transition from prevention to prediction through sensor data analysis