A novel framework to link Prognostics and Health Management and Product–Service Systems using online simulation

Product–Service Systems (PSS) and Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) have so far been researched individually in different domains and as unrelated research theme. However, to guarantee the availability of the asset, which is a typical demand in some PSS contracts, it is fundamental for PSS providers to be able to properly manage the asset's lifetime variability in order to avoid unscheduled downtimes and contract penalties. This paper describes part of a research project to investigate how PHM can support more effective fulfilment of some PSS contracts. In particular, this paper aims to present a novel framework to link PHM and PSS using online simulation. The paper also presents a prototype of the online simulation model and three experimental cases comparing the outcomes of the online simulation model against those obtained from the traditional simulation model.

► We proposed a novel framework to link PSS and PHM using online simulation. ► We developed a framework-based online simulation tool. ► We carried out 3 experiments to compare the performance of the asset modelled using the traditional simulation model and the framework-based simulation model. ► Results indicated that under normal conditions, similar performance was achieved in both simulation models; however, under asset lifetime variation (extended or reduced), the framework-based simulation gives much more accurate performance measure, e.g. asset availability. ► Further investigation will be carried out to evaluate the impacts of operational decision modification to performance measures.