Equipment utilization based maintenance task scheduling in a job shop

Abstract

This study examines, through a series of simulation experiments, the performance of a dynamic job shop, where the equipment is subject to failure. A number of decision rules are developed and tested based on individual machine utilization, for the purpose of scheduling the maintenance activities, in terms of a number of selected performance criteria, under different operating conditions. In addition to maintenance sequencing, the issues of, first the level of preventive maintenance activity and, secondly, the size of the maintenance workforce are examined concurrently. The results of the simulation experiments are analyzed and an attempt is made in arriving at some general conclusions concerning the relative effectiveness of the various types of decision rules under consideration.