Predictive Maintenance is an approach to equipment service and repair which seeks to prevent unscheduled downtime, and avoid costs of unnecessary maintenance. The approach involves collection of equipment data, analysis of this data to predict future maintenance needs, then planning maintenance in advance of any loss of performance.
Predictive maintenance systems typically measure parameters such as vibration, heat, pressure, noise, and lubricant condition. In conjunction with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), predictive maintenance enables repair-work orders to be released automatically, repair-parts inventories checked, and routine maintenance scheduled.