A Numerical Study on the Structure of Optimal Preventive Maintenance Policies in Prototype Tandem Queues

Taehyung Kim, James R. Morrison

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

While high levels of automation in modern manufacturing systems increase the reliability of production, tool failure and preventive maintenance (PM) events remain a significant source of production variability. It is well known for production systems, such as the M/G/1 queue, that optimal PM policies possess a threshold structure. Much less is known for networks of queues. Here we consider the prototypical tandem queue consisting of two exponential servers in series subject to health deterioration leading to failure and repair. We model the PM decision problem as a Markov decision process (MDP) with a discounted infinite- horizon cost. We conduct numerical studies to assess the structure of optimal policies. Simulation is used to assess the value of the optimal PM policy relative to the use of a PM policy derived by considering each queue in isolation. Our simulation studies demonstrate that the mean cycle time and discounted operating costs are 10% superior.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2019 Winter Simulation Conference, WSC 2019
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages2281-2291
Number of pages11
ISBN (Electronic)9781728132839
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2019
Event2019 Winter Simulation Conference, WSC 2019 - National Harbor, United States
Duration: Dec 8 2019Dec 11 2019

Publication series

NameProceedings - Winter Simulation Conference
Volume2019-December
ISSN (Print)0891-7736

Conference

Conference2019 Winter Simulation Conference, WSC 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNational Harbor
Period12/8/1912/11/19

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