HIT 300 PROPOSALMUNYARADZI MAKUDO

H1210472U

Design of an RCM system aimed at improving productivity

1.0 Introduction

Many companies in Zimbabwe are facing economic downturn due to use of poor maintenance systems (machine stoppages and breakdowns). This project will focus on a company named Steel Force which currently is practising poor maintenance.

1.1 Problem Background

Steel Force (Pvt) Ltd is a small concern that runs 3 lines of business ,a wire nail manufacturing plant, a bicycle assembly section and trades in other steel products. The plant’s current output is pegged at 65% of design capacity. Instead of producing 2500 kg of nails a day, the plant is only managing about 1600 kg.

1.2 Problem Statement

The wire nail manufacturing plant at Steel Force is producing 35% below the design capacity and coupled to this, is a loss of 5 kg of raw material and 20% loss of production time per day.

1.3 Aim

• Designing an RCM system for implementation at Steel Force (Pvt) Limited so as to improve productivity of the wire nail production plant.

1.4 Objectives

• 1. To improve productivity from 65% to 71.5%. • 2. To reduce machine stoppages from an

average of five to three stoppages per day per machine.

• 3. To reduce scrap generation from 5 to 3 kilogrammes per day.

• 4. To design an asset register for Steel Force (Pvt) Limited.

1.5 Scope

The system will help Steel Force (Pvt) Ltd improve its productivity however other companies in similar circumstances can also use the system.

1.6 Justification

• The system could save valuable time if implemented effectively

• The system will help counterfit the economic downturn at the company.

• The project is in support of the Zim-Asset cluster on value addition and beneficiation

1.7 Research Questions

• 1. Why are machines constantly breaking down? • 2. What type of maintenance system is currently

in place? • 3. What alternative maintenance system can be

used? • 4. Why does it take long to re-set the machines

after minor stoppages? • 5. What type of asset register is suitable for Steel

Force?

1.8 Limitations

• Frequent visits to Steel Force will not be possible

• The inadequate of technical books in the HIT library especially for the design.

1.9 Conclusion

• The design should enable most companies including Steel Force to increase their productivity significantly.