http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/index.asp 300 editor@iaeme.com International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET) Volume 8, Issue 10, October 2017, pp. 300–307, Article ID: IJMET_08_10_033 Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=8&IType=10 ISSN Print: 0976-6340 and ISSN Online: 0976-6359 © IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed HEURISTIC APPROACH TO SCHEDULE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS USING K-MEANS METHODOLOGY Abdelhakim Abdelhadi Engineering Management Department, Prince Sultan University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ABSTRACT: This paper aims to implement non hierarchal clustering methods to cluster the maintainable machines and schedule their maintenance as part of a company’s manufacturing strategy. We consider clustering maintainable machines into virtual groups based on their need for maintenance according to the time to failure and according to the location those machines. Nonhierarchical clustering method is used to cluster machines into virtual cells based on their location and time to conduct preventive maintenance. It is a methodology that identifies and exploits the common similarities among the attributes of a set of objects and clusters them into cells. It is designed to group items into clusters, K. This approach will lend itself to the reduction of scheduling process and standard process plans can be developed to complete the job in each cell. Spare parts needed for maintenance will be ordered in economical quantities which will help in cost reduction. Machine grouping will have a positive influence on human resource management and spare parts management. The result of this research will lead to will group machines into virtual clusters based on the time to failure and the geographical location of the maintainable items. Clusters developed using k-means algorithm will minimize the cost of conducting the maintenance since the clusters have a main common factor, location and time to conduct the maintenance. Keywords: Operations strategy, Maintenance management, Maintenance, Non- hierarchical clustering method, Spare Parts Cite this Article: Abdelhakim Abdelhadi, Heuristic approach to schedule preventive maintenance operations using K-means methodology, International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology 8(10), 2017, pp. 300–307. http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=8&IType=10