What type of maintenance involves using tools like infrared thermography?

Predictive maintenance involves using tools such as infrared thermography to monitor the condition of equipment and predict when maintenance should be performed. This technique helps identify potential issues before they lead to equipment failure, allowing for timely interventions that can prevent unexpected breakdowns.

Infrared thermography specifically detects temperature variations in equipment surfaces, which can indicate problems such as overheating components, electrical faults, or insulation breakdowns. By analyzing these thermal profiles, maintenance teams can make informed decisions about when to service equipment, thereby optimizing maintenance schedules and minimizing downtime.

This proactive approach contrasts with preventive maintenance, which is scheduled based on time intervals rather than actual condition, and reactive or corrective maintenance, which addresses issues only after equipment failure has occurred. As such, predictive maintenance, utilizing advanced tools and techniques, is key to ensuring the reliability and efficiency of machinery and systems.