Introduction
In automobile and aviation maintenance, upkeep and ensuring the proper functioning of vehicles and airplanes is paramount. The maintenance of such systems requires a substantial amount of spare parts, tools, and strategic planning. Throughout this procedure, the maintainer must utilise and separate the necessary tools and replacement parts at various stages of upkeep. To efficiently carry out the maintenance tasks, the maintainer must effectively organise and separate the essential tools and spare parts at multiple maintenance stages. Placing these tools and spare parts is crucial in promptly completing the planned tasks. Throughout the maintenance process, the maintainer and storekeeper must coordinate to ensure the required spare parts are procured and made readily available at the appropriate time.
There is no standardised or universally accepted protocol for categorising and classifying spare parts and tools in maintenance. Any prescribed rules or regulations do not govern tool storage, retrieval, usage, and placement. The complexity of the working system leads to an exponential increase in the number of spare parts required, thereby making the management of tools and spare parts an even more challenging task.
In this paper, the author proposes implementing the library classification and cataloging concept in the maintenance industry, specifically for spares and tools. The author suggests that by correlating these two concepts, the maintenance industry can benefit from a more organised and efficient approach to managing spare parts and tools.
Materials and Methods
Throughout this study, we will attempt to discover an appropriate application of classifying and categorising in the maintenance field in various practical situations. In this present investigation, we aim to comprehend the diverse forms of repairs and fixes in the maintenance sector and analyse the concepts of repair, rectification, preventative maintenance, and servicing. We are researching alternative approaches to incorporating library cataloging and classification into a different domain. A potential resolution involves adopting the most fitting approach. In this article, we will strive to execute the probable result of separation in any exemplary model or instance.
Literature Review
The author says that This study aims to analyse practical maintenance management approaches in the industry, focusing on proactive and progressive strategies. Deficient maintenance management can negatively impact an organisation's competitiveness, reducing throughput, inventory, and poor performance. Companies are replacing reactive strategies with proactive and progressive approaches, requiring increased training, resources, and integration. A survey was conducted to determine the relationship between maintenance and production methods. 1 The manufacturing industry faces challenges due to global market growth and competitiveness, requiring high-equipment effectiveness and flexible systems. Maintenance operations are crucial for minimising unplanned downtime, ensuring product quality, and maintaining competitiveness. Intelligent maintenance systems (IMS) help optimise maintenance operations, providing decision support tools and smart prognostic and health management tools. This article reviews recent advancements in maintenance methods, identifies research challenges, and outlines future research directions. 2 illustrated by the author.
Discussion
Study of maintenance industry
In the maintenance industry, Machinery and Equipment are any mechanical, electrical, or electronic device intended and used to carry out a specific function and generate a particular outcome.3 Maintenance refers to collecting all activities to preserve a system in a state where it can fulfil its function. Frequently, these systems are production systems. Some maintenance tasks can be performed concurrently with production, while others can be carried out during regular production interruptions such as evenings, weekends, and holidays. However, in many instances, production units must be temporarily shut down for maintenance. This situation may result in management challenges between a company's production and maintenance departments. On one hand, the production department relies on maintenance to ensure the long-term performance of its equipment. To enhance and ensure the smooth operation of any industry, it is necessary to periodically maintain the machinery and equipment through scheduled preventive maintenance or any necessary repairs.
Management of tools
The practical and smooth functioning of maintenance relies heavily on managing tools, which can be periodic or in response to breakdowns. Proper organisation of tools and testers for targeted servicing is crucial to completing tasks within the scheduled timeframe. Using the appropriate tool for each job reduces unnecessary complications and potential damage to the system. Providing the maintainer with easy access to the necessary tools minimises physical effort and maximises output. Planning tools' availability and time-sensitive management are essential for successfully carrying out any maintenance activity. The systematic arrangement of tools and utilities in any maintenance-related task ensures that the work is done correctly and efficiently illustrated.Figure 1
"Tool management involves two main aspects: documentation (master data) and logistics (transaction data). Documentation includes all the information necessary for a smooth and understandable production process. It allows for managing spare parts, experiences in production, and associated data. Various functions are available to manage, process, print, and integrate this data with other applications." 4 Unlike spare parts, tools must be returned after maintenance tasks and placed in their designated storage location daily. Different industries employ various methods such as Radio Frequency Identification, QR scanners, or barcodes to ensure the tracking and proper handling of tool transactions and storage.
Management of spare parts
Let's delve into Aviation and Automobile maintenance; they follow primarily two types of servicing provided to their customers. Preventive maintenance and Breakdown maintenance (Snag rectification). In preventative maintenance, planned activity is coordinated according to the guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOP) with a list of tools and replacement parts. Specifically, we observe that the replacement parts are once again divided into mandatory and non-mandatory during the planned servicing, as the parts are to be replaced after meeting certain conditions specified by the manuals or SOPs. But in contrast, snag rectification is an entirely different approach. During the rectification, if the part or component that needs to be repaired is more intricate or interconnected with other parts or systems, the maintainer needs to detach and reattach it back into the system after rectifying the snag-induced components. 5 In Snag rectification, the consumables are once again categorised by mandatory and non-mandatory parts required for affected parts and necessary replacement parts and lubricants such as rubber seals, safety pins, grease, lubricating oils, and other disposable components required for other components involved during the disassembly process need to be replaced.
The management of tools also plays a significant role in the efficient and smooth functioning of maintenance, whether it be periodic or breakdown maintenance. Proper cataloging of tools for targeted servicing is crucial to completing tasks within the scheduled timeline. Having the right tool for the job reduces unnecessary complications and prevents damage to the system. This allows maintainers to exert less physical effort while achieving maximum output. Planning the position order and time-sensitive management of tools is necessary to carry out complicated and complex maintenance tasks. The sequential arrangement of tools and utilities in any maintenance-related task ensures proper and efficient execution.
Results
The Implication of classification and Cataloging
Cataloging and classification are simply ways of organising library materials so that retrieval will not be difficult for library users. Therefore, there is a strong need to organise library collections for easy access for users because the collections will be useless. The foundation of any library to operate and function. Let's examine the integration of this fundamental discipline system into the disorganised, inconsistent system of overseeing tools and replacement parts.
To investigate the potential of incorporating a classification and cataloging system in the management of tools and replacement parts. We will attempt to introduce two distinct systems, tools and replacement components.
Adoption in management of tools
In the management of tools, for each assignment or rectification, tools are necessary. They must be transitioned daily from the tool bay after finishing maintenance to clean the work zone and machinery. This procedure is implemented to guarantee the reduction of human error and unintentionally forgetting tools in operational equipment. For this, we must examine a wide range of various kinds of tools required for any sort of task. To execute this, we need to know the specifics of the total number of tools and testers present in the inventory of any organisation, and they need to be listed and recorded according to the type and quantity. To comprehend the purpose, we will simulate a list of tools, discuss the categorisation concepts' implementation, and then catalog. Let's observe the various types of tools utilised in the typical maintenance servicing of an automobile. As per Table 1, tools are categorised using name, dimension, type, and identification number, and with the company's name.
Table 1
List of tools for typical servicing of automobile
As the inventory of tools is explained for typical maintenance in Table 1, we will examine and analyse it to comprehend the implementation of the concept of tool management. For the processing of categorising tools, there is a need to categorise broadly based on the type of tools. Then, we will explore the further classification of tools by considering the size of the tools. Additionally, information about the manufacturer of the tools and their identification can also be included. Grouping the tools according to a broad spectrum makes it easier for the user to locate the individual tool. The tools are planned so that tools of the same type are placed together and labelled clearly. Positioning tools of the same type in one place will assist the maintainer in utilising the resources efficiently and ensuring proper placement. In Figure 2, an attempt is made to classify tools by focusing on a single type of tool and concentrating on only one kind of tool, the 'open-end wrench'.
Table 2
List of spare parts for typical servicing of automobile system
Adoption in management of spares
"Service parts management is the primary element of a comprehensive strategic service management process that companies use to ensure that the appropriate spare part and resources are in the correct location at the correct time".6 The correct spare part is available at the right time and location for the smooth functioning and operation of maintenance activity. Identifying the spare parts is challenging as not everyone on the service floor can locate the parts through visual inspection. These spare parts must be identified using careful labelling or part numbers. In spare parts management, we do not return the spares as they are used during maintenance activity, except for a few exceptions. To understand the extent of adoption in spare parts management, we need to examine the typical servicing of a vehicle. This process will help us better understand the number of different types of spares involved in maintenance activity, as shown in Table 2.
Implementing the library classification and cataloging concept is similar to what we have adopted in tools. However, when it comes to spare parts, we must consider their usage and the quantity we have on hand. In the case of spare parts used, inventory will not be returned to the store as they are consumed in the task. In spare parts management, various subcategories of tools will be within a broader category. For example, if we take the instance of a 'Filter' type of spare part, we may have different types of filters in the store, such as air filters, oil filters, hydraulic filters, and so on. Understanding the significance of this classification and the cataloging system is essential as it allows the storekeeper and maintainer to easily and systematically provide the required spares for a specific task. By maintaining a well-structured management system, the organisation can monitor the usage and consumption of spare parts, anticipate future needs, and order fast-moving items.
During regular maintenance, consumables and tools are clearly understood for the same task. When classifying the inventory, we can create a single entry that includes a comprehensive list of spare parts, testers, and tools required for the maintenance task. In the case of breakdown servicing, we can predict the requirements based on the affected area or the type of issue identified. This allows us to retrieve the necessary items from the store and quickly assemble the breakdown equipment.
Modification in Classification
Dewey Decimal System (DDS) would be preferable to apply in this scenario, as it can easily identify the subject with clear boundaries. We can utilise the principles of the DDS to develop a suitable and sustainable system for implementation in the maintenance sector. This system is a progressive step towards organising the maintenance industry's storage, retrieval, and utilisation of tools and spare parts. It is the first instance where the library's approach is being discussed in the context of the maintenance field. There is a broader opportunity to adopt a system that will streamline the classification and categorisation of tools and spare parts in a unified format, benefiting customers, maintainers, and manufacturing companies in achieving mutual understanding.
When we correlate the DDC for this vertical, we can state that it can categorise a simple tool for expressing the extent of application. The wide division of tool 'wrench' has been further classified based on various kinds of wrench and combinations. In Figure 2, the author attempts to illustrate a single example of an 'open end spanner'. Let's examine this tool's classification level in detail in Table 3.
Table 3
Level of classification
In my study, I have discovered that implementing this method helps me categorise different kinds of tools systematically and in an orderly way. Because of classification, it is easy to catalog the item without any complications. Safety and inspection of the tools are of utmost importance in the aviation and automobile maintenance industry. Leaving behind removed parts, used tools, and other cleaning materials can create problems. These items can cause malfunctions when the equipment is in operation, obstruct the workflow, or even damage the components, ultimately compromising the equipment's integrity.
Scope of Future Research
Implementing library classification and cataloging in different facets will create further research and exploration opportunities. This will enable the improvement and enhancement of various systems more effectively and efficiently.
Compliance with Ethical Standards
This article contains no studies of human and animal participants performed by authors. I have not used AI-based software to generate the data published in my manuscript.
Article DOI
