Optimal spares and preventive maintenance frequencies for constrained industrial systems

The research investigates the influence of an effective maintenance system on the efficient performance of any industrial system. The core concept of the research explains that the simultaneous focus on the spares inventory subsystem as well as on the preventive maintenance subsystem must be considered when developing a quality maintenance programme. Considering and developing such aspects separately will lead to suboptimal performance since there exists a trade-off between overstocking and undersupplying spares for preventive maintenance activities. Details on the technique chosen are discussed, namely simulation modelling as well as recent developments such as agent based modelling. Advantages of this technique are the flexibility in representing complex relationships within a system without knowing the exact form. The optimisation heuristic, a genetic algorithm, which was used to solve the research problem is explained. Finally a case study is used to demonstrate the aptness and success of the research approach, namely an annual 44% maintenance cost saving and 3% increase in production output.