Golden Rules for TPM #06：Step-by-Step Improvement of People and Facilities

TPM Golden Rules

The goal of the step-by-step development of autonomous maintenance is not only to solve problems and make improvements in the workplace. It is also characterized by the "development of people who are great with equipment and machines" through continuous activities.

Importance of Step-by-Step Development of Autonomous Maintenance

Autonomous maintenance is an activity in which those of us who use the equipment and machines, autonomously perform maintenance activities such as cleaning, lubricating, tightening screws, and inspections in order to maximize the efficiency of the production system. We restore, maintain, and improve equipment to their "ideal state" by eliminating forced deterioration of facilities, as well as carry out improvement activities to thoroughly eliminate breakdowns, minor stops, defects, and other problems that impede production efficiency. At the same time, we, ourselves also grow into "people who are great with equipment and machines."

To become a person who is great with equipment and machines (strong in work), it is necessary to be familiar with their structure and functions and to acquire maintenance skills. However, it is not possible to become a person who is great with equipment in a short period of time. Therefore, we use a step-by-step approach to steadily obtain results and avoid going backwards. One of the main features of TPM is that the steps of autonomous maintenance and the four phases of becoming great with equipment are properly linked.

By improving the equipment structure and making it "the way it should be," the efficiency of the production system is greatly improved through the step-by-step method of TPM activities. We experience the benefits of autonomous maintenance firsthand, and become "a person who protects his/her own machines" without being told to do so by our superiors.

In this way, "improvement of the structure of both people and equipment" progresses simultaneously in the step-by-step development of autonomous maintenance.

Seven Steps for Autonomous Maintenance

TPM is characterized by the development of autonomous maintenance as a step in which people grow. The steps introduced here are for processing and assembly, while other steps are prepared for the device and food industries according to the type of job and process.