Delay time modeling for optimized inspection intervals of production plant

Abstract

Periodic inspections remain as one of the effective maintenance strategies currently used in industry. One of the key decision variables in such a strategy is the determination of the inspection intervals that can be regular or irregular. To clarify the objective of the type of the maintenance strategy we are concerned with here, consider a plant item with a maintenance strategy of inspecting every period T hours, days, weeks, months,., with repair of failures undertaken as they arise. The inspection consists of a check list of activities to be undertaken, and a general inspection of the operational state of the plant. Any defect identified leads to immediate repair, and the objective of the maintenance strategy is to minimise operational downtime. Other objectives could be considered, cost, availability, output,., but for now we consider downtime reduction. © 2009 Springer-Verlag London.