A new model for maintenance strategy based on failure analysis and multicriteria approach

An effective maintenance plan allows one to minimize failures and to ensure the proper functioning of machines in order to obtain the estimated production system performances. On the other hand, inadequate maintenance can cause faults such as a decrease of production levels, compromising customer satisfaction and resulting in economic losses. In the present research, a new model is proposed to develop a support tool for maintenance design. The new approach is focused to the adequate distribution of maintenance budget to units and machines of a production system. It is based on the main factors determining availability of equipment thanks to appropriate indexes, adjusted through a multi-criteria method, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The obtained results can support the budget allocation to maintenance activities, right for machines or units that are strategic to ensure production. The model has been validated through the application to three different industrial plants.