Reliability analysis and life cycle cost optimization: a case study from Indian industry
International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management
ISSN: 0265-671X
Article publication date: 7 March 2016
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