Project Abstract

Dynamic modeling of machinery replacement problems involves creating mathematical models to optimize the replacement decisions of machinery over time. This research focuses on developing dynamic programming models to address machinery replacement problems in various industries. The dynamic modeling approach considers factors such as the initial purchase cost of machinery, operating and maintenance costs, salvage value, and the potential benefits of upgrading to newer equipment. By incorporating these variables into the model, decision-makers can determine the optimal timing for replacing machinery to minimize costs or maximize profits. Furthermore, this research also explores the impact of uncertainties in factors such as future maintenance costs, resale values, and technological advancements on machinery replacement decisions. Stochastic dynamic programming techniques are employed to account for these uncertainties and develop robust replacement strategies that can adapt to changing conditions over time. The dynamic models developed in this research can be applied to a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, transportation, and energy production, where machinery plays a critical role in operations. By optimizing machinery replacement decisions, companies can improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance overall productivity. In addition to cost considerations, this research also examines the environmental implications of machinery replacement decisions. By incorporating environmental factors such as energy consumption, emissions, and sustainability goals into the dynamic models, decision-makers can evaluate the environmental impact of different replacement strategies and identify opportunities to reduce their carbon footprint. Overall, the dynamic modeling of machinery replacement problems offers a systematic approach to decision-making that takes into account a wide range of factors and uncertainties. By utilizing mathematical models and optimization techniques, companies can make informed decisions about when to replace machinery to achieve their cost, productivity, and environmental goals. The findings of this research provide valuable insights for industry practitioners, policymakers, and researchers interested in optimizing machinery replacement decisions. The developed dynamic programming models offer a flexible framework that can be tailored to specific industry contexts and help companies navigate complex decision-making scenarios related to machinery replacement.

Project Overview

INTRODUCTION

 

Replacement of machinery is not widely discussed in Engineering Literatures. Yet it is a common occurrence in industries requiring the use of plant and equipment for the production of goods and services. Even where it is discussed, the emphasis is usually placed on minimization of total, maintenance and operating costs as well as the maximization of profit without recourse to the uncertainty resulting from the method of determining deterioration. Cognizance of the effect of deterioration on the resale value of equipment and indeed on machinery replacement date is yet to be fully appreciated. Values of deterioration are usually assumed or at best determined by methods that are highly subjective and sometimes expensive like the popular failure analysis (Sachs, 2007). Some replacement models exclude resale value in the build-up of cost. Yet it is the value that is directly affected by deterioration. This missing link will be supplied by this study.

 

1.1   OBJECTIVE

The following are the objectives of this study:

1. To reduce the error arising from the subjective methods of determining deterioration by generating random numbers using  Monte Carlo simulation  under the uniform probability distribution to produce values for deterioration.
2. To incorporate economic parameters like the inflation rate and the rate of return on replacement investment in the model.

• To develop machinery replacement model with emphasis on the effect of deterioration on the salvage (resale) value and indeed on the replacement date.

1. To employ the dynamic programming method in the enumeration to obtain the optimal replacement date.
2. To calibrate and verify the model with field data obtained from some industries as well as compare the results of the model with those of existing models for reliability and operationability.

 

1.2   THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY

Replacement investment is one of the overheads competing for scarce financial resources of any industry. A replacement investment should therefore be justified.  An effective machinery replacement policy can be put in place to achieve this purpose. In this study, a model will be developed that will assist industry managers to make decision on replacement date when maintenance is no longer advisable. Planned replacement will reduce or perhaps eliminate unnecessary downtime arising from forced shutdowns. Total Process Reliability (TPR) is one of the methods of realizing a planned replacement of machines. Total Process Reliability (TPR) views every maintenance events as an opportunity to upgrade manufacturing processes.

Bloch et al, (2006) advise that process plants should be reliability-focused instead of repair-focused. Process plants that are repair focused have trouble surviving because they place emphasis on parts replacement and have neither time nor the inclination to make systematic improvements. They hardly identify the reason for parts failure and do not implement the type of remedial action that discourages the recurrence of failures. Reliability-focused plants, on the other hand, view every maintenance event as an opportunity to upgrade. Whenever cost justifies, this upgrade is achieved by adhering more closely to smarter work processes, following better procedures, selecting superior components (not parts), implementing better quality controls, using more suitable tools and choosing a suitable replacement date. These measures may reduce downtime and maximize machinery uptime.

 

1.3   THE METHODOLOGY:

This study lays emphasis on the effect of deterioration on salvage (resale) value and indeed on the replacement date of machinery. It also recognizes the inherent errors in the existing method of determining deterioration. These methods are highly subjective and sometimes expensive (Sachs, 2007). To reduce these errors or perhaps eliminate them the values of deterioration will be treated as stochastic variables and generated as random numbers under the uniform (rectangular) probability distribution.

The cost minimization model that will be developed will have three main cost components namely the purchasing cost, the maintenance cost and the salvage (resale) value.

Solution of the salvage value component (function) of the model is expected to produce the initial resale date that may be used to start an enumeration process. The dynamic programming technique will be adopted in the enumeration process.

The model will incorporate economic parameters like the inflation rate and the rate of return on replacement investment.

The model will then be tested with field data to verify the reliability of its results, for possible review and adjustments.

In summary, the methodology of this study consists of two parts namely the analytical and the experimental processes

1. Analytical Process: In the analytical process the following steps are taken:
2. Values of deterioration are generated as random numbers under the uniform probability distribution.
3. The initial replacement date is obtained from the derivative of the salvage value component of the model.

iii.     The dynamic programming technique is employed as the enumeration process for obtaining the optimal replacement date starting perhaps with an initial resale date obtained from the solution of the salvage value component of the model.

1. Experimental Process: Field data obtained from different industries like the construction, pharmaceutical and plastic companies are used to test the model with the view to verifying the reliability of the results for possible review and adjustments.

Finally, results from the model will be compared with those of existing models for possible advantages in terms of operationability, reliability and perhaps savings.

 

 

1.4   THE CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE

This study develops a model that considers the effect of deterioration, inflation and rate of return on replacement investment on total cost and indeed on the replacement date of machinery. Thus the results of the model are intended to give answer as to whether to replace or refurbish existing machinery as well as indicate when replacement is optimal. The study therefore complements as well as improves on the existing knowledge of machinery replacement and assists industry managers in making replacement decisions especially when maintenance or refurbishment is no longer advisable. In this regard, the contribution of the study should be viewed in the following areas.

1. Verification of the Salvage value to test its suitability to our industrial environment.
2. The incorporation of economic parameters like the rate of return on replacement investment and inflation rate in the development of the new model

• The reduction of error inherent in the subjective methods of determining deterioration by generating values under the uniform probability distribution to represent deterioration.

1. The development of cost minimization model with emphasis on the effect of deterioration on the salvage value.
2. The application of dynamic programming method as the solution technique to the new model. Dynamic programming is good for problems with overlapping sub-problems and optimal substructure and therefore has an advantage over other solution techniques like the cumbersome forward algorithm adopted by some existing models.
3. The calibration and verification of the model with field data and comparing its results with those of existing models for reliability and operationability.