Sequential imperfect preventive maintenance policy with random maintenance quality under reliability limit

Abstract

To determine the optimal maintenance number for a system with random maintenance quality in infinite time horizon, a sequential imperfect preventive maintenance model considering reliability limit is proposed. The proposed model is derived from the combination of the Kijima type virtual age model and the failure rate adjustment model. Maintenance intervals of the proposed model are obtained through an iteration method when both failure rate increase factor and maintenance restoration factor are random variables with a uniform distribution. The optimal maintenance policy is presented by minimizing the long-run average cost rate. A real numerical example for the failures of numerical control equipment is given to demonstrate the proposed model. Finally, a discussion is presented to show how the optimal average cost rate depends on the different cost parameters. The results show that in order to satisfy the practical requirements of high reliability, it is necessary and worthwhile to consider the system's reliability limit in preventive maintenance practice.