A discrete event simulation design for block-based maintenance planning under random machine usage

Existing research on block-based preventive maintenance planning generally assumes that machines are either used continuously, or that times until failure do not depend on the actual usage of machines. In practice, however, it is often more realistic to assume that machines are not used continuously and that they only deteriorate when they are used. In this paper, we present a discrete event simulation design for optimizing block-based preventive maintenance under random machine usage. Furthermore, we will deliver some preliminary results that indicate that the optimal preventive maintenance interval not only depends on the utilization rate of the machine, but also on the usage pattern.