Geometric approach to machine exploitation efficiency: modelling and assessment

This article presents a new approach to the exploitation assessment of machines and devices. A key aspect of this approach is the construction of the assessment model based on the geometric representation of measures associated with each other, which covers the full specifics of the exploitation process. This approach is successfully implemented by the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) model, which is fully susceptible to the geometric modelling process due to the three-way system of assessed exploitation aspects. The result of this approach is the vectored OEE model and its interpretation in terms of time series of changes in values of components. Methods of determining vector calculus measures were developed, including the second-order tensor and gradient. This is the subject of the variability of the reliability conditions of machines or production processes. It allows for the realisation of an exploitation assessment based on dynamic changes in the values of their components in the time domain. This is a significant difference to the classical static approach to such an assessment. The developed new geometric OEE model was confirmed by verification tests using the LabView software, based on two parallel data sets obtained with analytical and simulation methods using the FlexSim software.