Equipment Used in Production
The company I have chosen for this discussion is Apple Inc., a well-known technology company that produces various products, including the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook.
Apple Inc. uses a variety of equipment in the production of their products. For example, for the production of their iPhones, they use automated machines for assembling the parts, high-precision CNC machines for milling the aluminum bodies, screen printing machines for printing circuit boards, and various testing equipment to ensure the functionality and quality of their products.
Potential Malfunctions and Breakdowns
In such a complex and high-tech production environment, numerous potential malfunctions or breakdowns might occur. Some examples might include a malfunctioning machine that incorrectly assembles parts, leading to defective products. CNC machines could break down, causing delays in production. Screen printing machines might malfunction, leading to poorly printed circuit boards. Testing equipment could also fail, leading to a lack of quality control and potentially faulty products being shipped to customers.
Preventive Actions Through a TPM Program
A Total Preventive Maintenance (TPM) program could be incredibly beneficial in avoiding these potential malfunctions or breakdowns. TPM involves regular and systematic inspection, cleaning, and repair of equipment to prevent breakdowns before they occur (Stevenson, 2020). For Apple Inc., TPM actions might include regular inspection and cleaning of the assembly machines to ensure they are functioning correctly and are free from dust or debris that might interfere with their operation. Regular maintenance and inspection of the CNC machines could ensure they are operating within their specified tolerances and prevent any potential breakdowns. Similar actions could be taken for the screen printing machines and testing equipment.
Implementing a TPM program would not only help to prevent potential malfunctions and breakdowns but it would also increase the overall efficiency and productivity of the production process. By preventing machine downtime, Apple Inc. could ensure their production schedule is maintained, leading to a more reliable supply of products to their customers (Ginder et al., 2020).
For example, a few years ago, Apple faced a significant setback when one of their key suppliers, TSMC, faced a production halt due to a computer virus. If TSMC had a robust TPM program in place, they could have prevented this issue, thereby avoiding the production halt that affected Apple’s supply chain and ultimately their bottom line.
References
Stevenson, W. J. (2020). Operations Management. McGraw-Hill Education.
Ginder, A., Robinson, A., & Robinson, C. J. (2020). Implementing TPM: The North American Experience. CRC Press.