Optimization of Maintenance Schedule and Parameters for Critical
Equipment in a Textile Mill through Statistical Synthesis of System Data
and Time Between Maintenance Operations
- Bett Kipchumba,
- Peter Chemweno,
- Eric Nganyi,
- Jerry Ochola
Bett Kipchumba
Moi University
Corresponding Author:bbett90@gmail.com
Author ProfileAbstract
Unexpected equipment failure in machines interrupts production schedules
and creates costly downtime. Therefore, the importance of timely
equipment maintenance is to extend the machine lifespan, prevent
unplanned downtime, and reduce the need to buy equipment. Textile
factories tend to have overcapacity of looms with inconsistent
maintenance time schedules. The main objective of the research was to
establish a suitable maintenance schedule time and parameters by
assessing the state of maintenance practices of the critical equipment
in the weaving section. The maintenance time schedules of rapier, and
air-jet looms were studied. Weibull distribution, and Monte Carlo
simulation were undertaken followed by regression analysis of the data.
The setup of the Monte Carlo simulation entailed 1000 instances of the
random values from the systems in the critical equipment. The data were
optimized through Monte Carlos regression modeling and Weibull
distribution analysis to get shape parameter and the scale parameter of
1.47 and 1683.46 hours. In conclusion, the findings indicated that
weaving looms were the critical equipment. The model's shape parameter
of 1.47 described a steady increase in the risk of wear-out failure
during the early life of the machines. Also, the value of the shape
parameter suggested early wear-out failure and premature failures after
installation. The optimal time interval for maintenance operations was
1683.46 hours from the scale parameter. The findings indicated that
looms had an inconsistent and incoherent maintenance time scheduling
approach. According to the results, it is recommended that preventive
maintenance schedules be done once every 1683.46 hours.