Which maintenance strategy uses real-time equipment conditions to determine service timing?

Condition-based maintenance is the strategy that utilizes real-time equipment conditions to decide when maintenance should occur. This approach relies on monitoring the actual performance and health of equipment rather than adhering to a fixed schedule or running maintenance based on assumptions. By leveraging various sensors and data analytics, condition-based maintenance allows organizations to perform services only when necessary, optimizing both maintenance costs and equipment uptime.

This strategy is particularly effective because it can prevent unexpected failures, extend the lifespan of equipment, and ensure that resources are allocated efficiently. In contrast to preventive maintenance, which operates on a set timetable irrespective of the equipment’s current condition, or reactive maintenance, which addresses issues only after they arise, condition-based maintenance is proactive but grounded in empirical data. This distinctive reliance on real-time monitoring makes it a forward-thinking approach in maintenance management.

Scheduled maintenance, meanwhile, schedules maintenance activities based on predetermined intervals or usage metrics, not on the actual condition of the equipment. Hence, condition-based maintenance stands out as the most tailored and adaptive strategy for maintaining equipment effectively.