How do I determine the test station PM frequency? For simplicity most of the test station is PM on weekly basis by our Maintenance Dept. However when I question why they missed out some PM during the audit one reason was they are short handed. I then ask why carry out PM on weekly basis and not every 2 weeks or even monthly? They can't answer. So I thought I can get some answer thru this thread.

PM should be carried out at a frequency that maintains the capability of the machine. i.e. you might say break down occurrences is a good starting point to define PM frequency.

If maintenance dont have enough people to do the job at the required frequency then you have them (excuse the tone) under clause 6.1 of ISO9001:2000 - Provision of Resources.

If you can see a trend at the weekly PM that the machine is checked and found OK, and as such no action is taken then you might argue that you can wind out the frequency to 2 weeks or further, but this can only be based on the actual maintenance requirements of the machine - not the resources available.

I think we need to determine the frequency of PM. There must be some kind of basis for that before raising up the resources issue.

I believe most equipment manufacuters can provide you the info on PM requirements for their equipment. One could start from there.

As M. Greenaway has correctly suggested, systematic and regular tracking of
1. Machine Capability and
2. Past breakdown history (MTBF)
should help you decide and adjust the frequency.

-Atul.

Yes Johnny.

That would be my preferred first step.

Raising NC's against resources is always a very dangerous area, and can lead to very contentious reviews. Personally I have never raised an NC against resources.

Martin and Atul are right on, as usual :)

At our company, PMs are broken down to those done weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, and annually. The Maintenance crew does not do all of them, many of the weekly PMs are actually performed by the operators. This was reinforced (expanded) recently as part of our TPM program, as well as refitting equipment whenever possible to allow for hand adjustments (tightening, quick disconnects, etc...) and not needing tools.

Jonny...maybe I'm reading too much into your comment,
I think we need to determine the frequency of PM. There must be some kind of basis for that before raising up the resources issue.
but it sounds like you want to lump all PMs as being equal with the same frequency which is counterproductive in my opinion. I say it's counterproductive because you will do one of two things: Understate the frequency - causing even more problems with machine downtime until each PM is adjusted, or Overstate the frequency and your already swamped crew won't be able to handle it.

Good luck, Eileen