What is the main focus of total productive maintenance (TPM)?

The main focus of total productive maintenance (TPM) is on eliminating waste and ensuring equipment effectiveness. TPM is a holistic approach that integrates maintenance with the overall production process. It emphasizes improving the operational efficiency of machinery while actively involving every employee in the maintenance process. This approach leads to the reduction of downtime, increases in productivity, and enhances the reliability of equipment. By focusing on waste reduction, TPM fosters a proactive maintenance culture that anticipates and prevents issues rather than just responding to them, ultimately achieving higher overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

In contrast, maximizing tool usage emphasizes simply using equipment more frequently, which may not address underlying issues that cause inefficiencies. Increasing the number of machines in operation does not necessarily correlate with productivity or effectiveness, as it could lead to overextension of resources. Focusing solely on cost reduction overlooks the importance of maintaining quality and operational effectiveness, which are critical components of TPM. Thus, the chosen answer reflects the comprehensive nature of TPM in maintaining and improving equipment efficiency throughout the production lifecycle.