What Is Autonomous Maintenance?

With growing technological advances and the ever-changing competitive landscape, businesses must optimize their performance and save costs. One method that has gained popularity in recent years is autonomous maintenance.

Autonomous maintenance (AM) is a set of activities performed by operators to improve equipment reliability and performance. The goal of AM is to shift responsibility for basic maintenance tasks from maintenance technicians to operators. This not only reduces the overall cost of maintenance but can also improve equipment uptime and reliability.

Autonomous maintenance aims to eliminate or minimize downtime because of equipment failures. In order to achieve this goal, AM focuses on three main areas:

Components of an Effective AM Program

There are three key components of an effective autonomous maintenance program:

1. Condition-based monitoring
2. Preventive maintenance
3. Operator-led maintenance

Condition-Based Monitoring

Condition-based monitoring is a system that uses sensors to detect when a machine or piece of equipment is not functioning properly. The sensors signal a control panel that alerts the operator of the problem.

Operators must be trained in basic maintenance tasks such as cleaning, lubrication, and inspection. This training should be specific to the equipment they will maintain.

• Cleaning
  • Keeping equipment clean is the first step in effective AM. Dust, dirt, and other contaminants can build up over time and cause equipment to malfunction. Regular cleaning can help prevent these problems.
• Lubrication
  • Another important component of autonomous maintenance is proper lubrication. Lubricating moving parts is essential for preventing wear and tear. Over time, lubricants can break down and need replacement. Operators should be trained in how to check lubricant levels and when to add new lubricants.
• Visual Inspections
  • Visual inspections are a key part of AM. Operators should be trained to look for signs of wear and tear, such as cracks or rust. They should also know how the equipment is supposed to operate. This knowledge can help them identify problems before they cause major damage. Regular visual inspections can help identify potential problems before they cause equipment to fail.
• Preventive Maintenance 
  • Preventive maintenance is a scheduled program of maintenance designed to prevent equipment failures. Operators should be familiar with the equipment standards and specifications so that they can identify when something is not working properly.

Operator-led Maintenance

Operator-led maintenance is a system where the operator handles the maintenance of the equipment. The operator is trained to identify problems and fix them before they become major issues. Operators should be actively involved in the AM program. This includes participating in meetings, providing feedback, and helping to resolve issues.

Autonomous maintenance programs can be tailored to the specific needs of each organization. The key is to ensure that operators are properly trained and have the necessary tools and supplies to perform these tasks.

Benefits of Autonomous Maintenance

The benefits of implementing an autonomous maintenance program are:

Reduced Downtime

By shifting responsibility for maintenance tasks to operators, businesses can reduce the amount of downtime because of equipment failures.

Improved Equipment Reliability

Autonomous maintenance programs can help improve equipment reliability by preventing failures before they happen.

Increased Operator Involvement

Active involvement from operators can help improve the overall effectiveness of the AM program. Proper communication between operators and maintenance technicians can help improve the flow of information and resolve issues more quickly.

Improved Safety

Autonomous maintenance programs can help improve safety by reducing the number of hazards in the workplace.

Overall, autonomous maintenance is a proactive approach to maintenance that can help improve equipment reliability and reduce downtime. When properly implemented, AM programs can provide significant benefits to businesses.

Cyber gear can help you create an effective autonomous maintenance program for your organization. If you have questions about autonomous maintenance or want to learn more about our services, please contact us at (586) 531-7116.