What type of maintenance involves temporarily using parts from other systems to repair a malfunctioning system?

Cannibalization maintenance is specifically focused on using spare parts or components from one system or piece of equipment to temporarily repair or restore functionality to another system that is experiencing a malfunction. This practice is often employed as an expedient solution to minimize downtime, particularly in operational environments where immediate repair is critical. By temporarily borrowing parts from a non-essential or redundant system, the goal is to keep operational systems running while a more permanent repair solution can be arranged.

In contrast, routine maintenance refers to regular checks and servicing performed to keep equipment in optimal condition, preventative maintenance focuses on actions taken to prevent failures before they occur, and discrepancy maintenance deals with addressing known issues or malfunctions that have been identified but not necessarily requiring immediate attention. Cannibalization is unique in its approach to addressing immediate operational needs by reallocating resources effectively.