Development of a maintenance management support system based on a Hierarchical Fault Classification

In order to perform effective maintenance activities in manufacturing syste ms, it is necessary to assess the nature of failures and to generate inform ation available for selecting appropriate an maintenance policy for individ ual cases. For acquiring information concerning failure, a systematic metho dology for managing maintenance information is essential. Therefore, the Hi erarchical Fault Classification (HFC) method was proposed. The aim of this study is to develop the computer system which supports the decision making in practical maintenance management. This system is based on the HFC method , and can provide procedures and information for maintenance management: an alyzing various failures that occurred, identifying their process, selectin g appropriate maintenance policy and estimating the maintenance effect for the maintenance activities performed. We offer some examples to demonstrate the performance and the advantages of this system. Significance: This study is to develop the computer system by using HFC tec hnique, which supports failure assessment, collects and compiles maintenanc e experience, and evaluates maintenance effects objectively.