Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-s2hrs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-13T04:59:33.230Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Optimal inspection policy for a multi-unit machine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 July 2016

Dror Zuckerman
Dror Zuckerman*
Affiliation:
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
*
∗Postal address: The Jerusalem School of Business Administration, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91905, Israel.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

We consider a machine which generates income at rate I during its operating time. The machine is composed of N independent stochastically failing units. A failure of each one of the units causes a breakdown of the machine.

The machine's status (good or failed) is observed continuously, by a controller, at zero cost. In the event of a breakdown, exactly one unit is failed, and a series of inspections is performed, in order to identify the failed unit and the reasons for its failure. At any time along the inspection process only one unit can be tested.

An inspection of a given unit is characterized by its cost rate and inspection time. At the end of the inspection process, the failed unit is repaired at a known cost, and a new operating cycle is started.

Our objective is to formulate an optimal inspection strategy under two optimality criteria: long-run average net income, and total expected discounted net income.

Keywords

MULTI-UNIT SYSTEMINSPECTION STRATEGYPERMUTATIONOPTIMALITY CRITERIA
Type
Research Papers
Information
Journal of Applied Probability , Volume 26 , Issue 3 , September 1989 , pp. 543 - 551
Copyright
Copyright © Applied Probability Trust 1989 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

[1] Abdel-Hameed, M. (1987) Inspection and maintenance policies of devices subject to deterioration. Adv. Appl. Prob. 19, 917–931.Google Scholar
[2] Barlow, R. E. and Proschan, F. (1975) Statistical Theory of Reliability and Life Testing. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York.Google Scholar
[3] Pierskalla, W. P. and Voelker, J. A. (1976) A survey of maintenance models: The control and surveillance of deteriorating systems. Naval Res. Logist. Quart. 23, 353–388.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[4] Zuckerman, D. (1980) Inspection and replacement policies. J. Appl. Prob. 17, 168–177.CrossRefGoogle Scholar