A simulation-based approach for detecting undesired product lifecycle features in maintenance system design

Abstract

A maintenance system that consists of data acquisition system and decision rules for process execution is modeled and examined for achieving better maintenance. Accuracy of sensors for monitoring and combinations of process activation rules are decided to achieve desired lifecycle, but those may bring unexpected behavior of a maintenance system and will affect the management of lifecycle. This paper describes a simulation-based approach for detecting undesired features of lifecycle to be used in maintenance system design. An improvised maintenance system for an elevator system is employed for explaining the approach. Though the model of functional structure of the elevator and degradation of conditions still contain unrealistic assumptions, simulation of behavior of a maintenance system seems to provide a good estimation of undesired lifecycle features.