MAINTENANCE SETUP AND SETUP PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT IN AN UNRELIABLE PRODUCTION SYSTEM

An EOQ-like inventory model for a manufacturing process is studied. The system is assumed to deteriorate during the production process. The results are either the production of a number of defective items, or the breakdown of the production machine. The optimal production lot size is derived. The model is extended to the case in which the probabilities of making defective items and machine breakdowns are a function of both the quantity (amount) and quality (performance) of the consumed setup cost (including the preventive maintenance cost). We further assume that the setup performance can be improved by investing in the performance improvement program. Hence, the same or a better setup outcome can be achieved with a lower setup cost. We then investigate the optimal setup cost and investment policy simultaneously, thereby achieving a better process quality and setup cost reduction concurrently.