Case study: RCM – yes, no or maybe?

The basic research question of this paper is how to determine the optimum maintenance concept for an industrial installation in a practical, i.e. with a reasonable input effort, way. The paper starts out with a critical review of maintenance concepts available from literature. These concepts are considered for use in a specific case, i.e. a paint spraying robot in an automobile manufacturing plant, and it is decided to implement a RCM‐like approach. The original RCM concept is modified in order to better fit the specific needs in terms of technical and organizational requirements of the company in question. The paper concludes with some general thoughts on the applicability of such an RCM‐like concept for the company in question.