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Reliability analysis and life cycle cost optimization: a case study from Indian industry

Laxman Yadu Waghmode (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Annasaheb Dange College of Engineering and Technology, Ashta, India)
Rajkumar Bhimgonda Patil (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Annasaheb Dange College of Engineering and Technology, Ashta, India)

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management

ISSN: 0265-671X

Article publication date: 7 March 2016

1260

Abstract

Purpose

Reliability analysis is required to identify the components or subsystems with low reliability for a given designed performance. Life cycle cost analysis helps understand the cost implications over the entire life span of a product. The purpose of this paper is to present a case study describing reliability analysis and life cycle cost optimization of a band saw cutting machine manufactured and used in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The data required for reliability analysis is collected from the manufacturer and users of band saw cutting machine. The parameters of failure distribution have been estimated by using ReliaSoft’s Weibull++6 software. The life cycle cost is divided into various cost elements such as acquisition cost, operation cost, failure cost, support cost and net salvage value.

Findings

The results of the analysis show that the components such as band wheel bearing, guide roller bearing, limit switch, carbide pad, hydraulic cylinder oil seal, control panel dial, control panel and solenoid valve are critical from reliability and life cycle cost analysis perspective.

Originality/value

With certain design changes it is found that the reliability of the system is increased by 15.85 percent while the life cycle cost is reduced by 22.09 percent. The study also shows that the reliability analysis is useful for deciding maintenance intervals.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank SPM Tools, Ichalkaranji for providing the required data for this work.

Citation

Waghmode, L.Y. and Patil, R.B. (2016), "Reliability analysis and life cycle cost optimization: a case study from Indian industry", International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, Vol. 33 No. 3, pp. 414-429. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQRM-11-2014-0184

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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