Terotechnological Approach to Design of Equipment

It is an acknowledged fact that optimum plant capacity utilisation is directly related to the maintenance factor of the plant and machinery. A very conservative estimate of our investments in plants, machinery and equipment puts the figure at about Rs. 25,000/- crores. Even a bare minimum expenditure of 3% on maintenance will result in an annual maintenance expense of Rs 750/- crores. This is a significant amount if we take into consideration the capital inflow needed for expansion of industrial activity in our country. In this era of high technology and increasing sophistication, there is no escape from investment in capital intensive plant and machinery if we desire to catch up and keep pace with the developed countries of the world. This means more expenditure on maintenance and likely increase in loss if maintenance activities are not properly organised and brought up to date. Routine inspection and programmed overhauls will not enable ui to increase plant availability and capacity utilization and cut down costs.