Preventive maintenance is a proactive approach to maintenance. It focuses on regular, planned service checks that should minimize the risk of unexpected machinery downtime and costly repairs.
Typical PM activities done during regular checks include:
- Equipment cleaning
- Technical liquids refilling
- Minor repairs
Nowadays, most companies have adopted digitization and use software for maintenance scheduling and tracking of preventive maintenance tasks. Some organizations go even further by implementing condition-based maintenance, which relies on data from machine sensors.
Benefits of preventive maintenance
A reactive approach, i.e., servicing a device after it broke down, is the most expensive option. Preventive maintenance, on the other hand, allows organizations to reduce costs (for repairs, unexpected downtimes, and excessive energy consumption).
Moreover, PM helps to improve machine lifespan and mitigate safety risks of potentially dangerous failures.