Joint Policy Optimization of Quality Control, Condition-Based Maintenance and Spare Ordering for a Degradation System

Abstract

A joint policy of quality control, condition-based maintenance and spare ordering is proposed for a degradation system subject to the delay time concept. First, considering the fact that product quality is largely dependent on system state, a two-stage inspection policy is proposed, in which the system state is detected during the initial deterioration process, but the product quality is checked after the defective state is found by an inspection. Then, based on the condition inspection information, quality information and failure information, the corresponding maintenance activity is chosen. Combining the state of the spare part when the system replacement is required, all possible events during an inspection interval are discussed and then a mathematical model of average cost rate is established. Afterwards, a simulation-based optimization approach coupling discrete event simulation and response surface methodology is devised to obtain a near optimal joint policy. Finally, a numerical example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed policy by comparing it with the comparative policy.

Keywords

• quality control
• condition-based maintenance
• spare ordering
• delay time
• simulation-based optimization