Sewing, overlock and flatlock machines run all day. Every breakdown stops an operator - and often the whole line behind them. Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) makes everyone, not only mechanics, responsible for keeping machines healthy.
TPM focuses on preventive maintenance, operator involvement, removing breakdowns, slow running and defects, and longer machine life.
The 8 pillars
| Pillar | On the floor |
|---|---|
| Autonomous maintenance | Operators clean, oil and check their own machine daily |
| Planned maintenance | Mechanics service machines on a schedule, before they fail |
| Quality maintenance | Remove machine causes of defects (skipped stitches, puckering) |
| Focused improvement | Small team Kaizens on repeated problems |
| Early equipment management | Think about maintenance when buying and setting up machines |
| Education & training | Basic maintenance skills for operators, deeper skills for mechanics |
| Safety, health & environment | Needle guards, clean and safe work areas |
| Office TPM | Apply the same ideas to planning, store and admin |