Data & Tools | Publications | Training |
What is it?
Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) is a systematic approach to developing a cost-effective maintenance strategy based on knowledge of how a product/system fails (random, wearout, etc.) and the financial consequences of failure. Scheduled inspections/replacement, condition-based maintenance and periodic overhaul are used in combination as part of an effective RCM strategy. RCM is a key element of asset management.
What’s the payoff?
The most economical RCM strategy is based on the perceived or actual condition of critical materials, parts, components, etc. The RCM process defines appropriate replacement/overhaul intervals and “packages” tasks into scheduled blocks. It also facilitates the identification of spare parts requirements and the most effective scheduling of manpower. RCM makes it possible to define a maintenance strategy that minimizes the risk of failure and optimizes overall ownership costs.
How can we help?
- Perform RCM analyses on your products to optimize your maintenance process
- Develop an RCM process software tool for your organization’s internal use
- Develop a failure data collection and analysis process to “feed” your RCM strategy
- Provide advisory services in other areas of maintenance management, such as Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) or Condition Based Monitoring (CBM)
- Train your staff in the RCM approach and methodologies
Related Data & Tools:
- QuART PROThe QuART software series represents the fourth generation of the highly popular "Reliability Toolkit" series of RMQ engineering aids originated in 1988 by Quanterion personnel while working at the Rome Laboratory (formerly Rome Air Development Center).
- QuART ER (Enhancing Reliability)This 2011 release features over 2 dozen new or improved tools over QuART PRO. QuART ER updates more than 10 tools and adds more than 15 new tools to the tool set available in QuART PRO, including the "Ask a Quanterion Expert" function that allows users to direct their reliability questions to an ASQ certified reliability expert at Quanterion.
Related Publications:
- Achieving System Reliability Growth Through Robust Design and TestThis book offers new definitions of how failures can be characterized, and how those new definitions can be used to develop metrics that will quantify how effective a Design for Reliability (DFR) process is in (1) identifying failure modes and (2) mitigating their root failure causes.
- Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM)The RCM process was first envisioned in the 1960s when it was discovered that the standard process of overhauling aircraft after a given number of flight hours led to little or no improvement in system reliability or safety. To address these issues, the FAA, in partnership with the aviation industry, created a working group of Subject Matter Experts to study the Preventive Maintenance process and make recommendations for improvements to maintenance practices and planning. Since that time, the RCM process has continued to evolve into the numerous RCM methods that are available today.
Related Training:
- Reliability Centered MaintenanceThis module provides a detailed guide on the steps involved in most RCM programs. The course steps the user through the classical RCM process beginning from RCM preparation to sustainment activities.