Title: Application and comparison of three maintenance techniques for replacement decision making - a case study in the pulp manufacturing industry

Authors: Rosmaini Ahmad; Shahrul Kamaruddin

Addresses: School of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Seberang Perai Selatan, Penang, Malaysia. ' School of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Seberang Perai Selatan, Penang, Malaysia

Abstract: The current paper presents the application of three maintenance techniques, namely, age replacement-based maintenance (ARBM), wear rate-based maintenance (WRBM), and output-based maintenance (OBM), for replacement decision making. The first two techniques are available in the literature, whereas the third one is a technique proposed in the present paper. The theory and principles underlying each technique are briefly discussed before the applicability of each is validated through a case study in the pulp manufacturing industry. The results of each maintenance technique for replacement decision making are compared and discussed from a practical point of view. The present paper concludes that OBM, the proposed technique, provides a more realistic approach towards replacement decision making compared with the other two techniques for functional failure type component. This conclusion is supported by a review of the entire process of replacement decision making based on four practicability criteria, namely, the basic theory and principle of each technique, data requirements and challenge in data collection, data analysis/modelling, and the decision process. Future research recommendations for the application of OBM are also given.

Keywords: maintenance decision making; preventive maintenance; time-based maintenance; TBM; condition-based maintenance; CBM; wear rate-based maintenance; WRBM; age replacement-based maintenance; ARBM; industrial case study; output-based maintenance; OBM; replacement decision making; pulp manufacturing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPSE.2012.051016

International Journal of Process Systems Engineering, 2012 Vol.2 No.2, pp.135 - 153

Received: 30 Sep 2011
Accepted: 28 Mar 2012
Published online: 16 Aug 2014 *

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