Preventive Maintenance is primarily based on what criterion?

Preventive Maintenance is primarily based on time intervals because the core principle of this approach is to perform maintenance tasks at predetermined intervals to prevent equipment failures. By scheduling maintenance based on specific time frames, organizations can ensure that their machinery operates smoothly and efficiently, thereby reducing the risk of unexpected breakdowns and extending the equipment's lifespan.

Scheduled maintenance allows for regular inspections, component replacements, and necessary adjustments without waiting for a problem to arise. This type of maintenance is often outlined in manufacturers' recommendations, which are based on the expected wear and tear associated with regular operation over time.

While other choices, such as machine usage, temperature readings, and vibration analysis, are important metrics that can be monitored for optimizing equipment performance or identifying issues, they are more characteristic of predictive maintenance rather than preventive maintenance. Predictive maintenance uses these indicators to assess the condition of equipment and schedule maintenance based on actual wear rather than a set time schedule.