Perspectives on Smart Maintenance Technologies – A Case Study in Large Manufacturing Companies

Abstract

The manufacturing industry faces significant technical challenges due to the industry 4.0 technologies, which play an essential role in maintenance development. Maintenance in industry 4.0, also named smart maintenance, maintenance 4.0, predictive maintenance, etc., is boosted using industry 4.0 technologies, such as Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Big Data and Analytics, Cloud Computing, Augmented Reality (AR), Additive Manufacturing (AM), etc. Previous research presents several smart maintenance technologies, but the manufacturing industry still finds it challenging to implement the technologies cost-effectively. One problem is that there is insufficient research on how smart maintenance technologies can be implemented cost-effectively and add value to the manufacturing industry. Therefore, this paper aims to explore perspectives on smart maintenance technologies: 1) if there are any implemented smart maintenance technologies, 2) in what context, 3) added values, 4) challenges, 5) opportunities, 6) advantages, and 7) disadvantages with the technologies. This paper presents the results of a case study based on an online open questionnaire with respondents working in maintenance organizations in large manufacturing companies.