MTBF Tracking Sheets

I have used a simple excel spread sheet with the columns that I needed for the purpose I had in mind. I then printed a single page and put in a binder for the individual piece of equipment. I gathered the data and input to the computer on a schedule that made sense for the equipment I was tracking. Worked well for me and dispelled some impressions concerning the reliability of the equipment.

As Jim says, collect some data or review records for the failure rates.

Chances are that your machines are complex enough that you see several types of breakdowns. The rule of thumb says that you will go after the type of breakdown that is the most frequent or the most expensive first.

The best approach may be to look at what kinds of things can go wrong. Create a spreadsheet that looks at each step of the machines process and describe what goes wrong when some tolerance is violated. Look for ways to detect variation that causes the process to go bad. Then sample or monitor the feature using some sort of statistical tracking (SPC). Shifts in the SPC line will indicate the need for maintenance if you are monitoring the right variable.

Do you have a CMMS - Computerised Maintenance Management System?

Most CMMS gives MTBF and MTTR reports.