A mechanism for linking user's operational requirements with reliability and maintenance schedule for machine tool

Historically, designers have done a good job of evaluating the functions and forms of products in the design phase. However, it is only in the past few years that there appears to be an increased focus on evaluating end user's reliability and maintenance requirements at the design phase. Especially in case of machine tools, where the machines are used by different users with different operational requirements, optimal reliability and the corresponding maintenance policies may vary from one user to another user. It is therefore essential for the designer to have mechanisms that link the machine reliability and maintenance parameters with the user's operational requirements. In this paper, we have identified the users' operational requirements through discussion with the managers of machine tool manufacturers and user industries. Inputs from literature survey have also been taken into consideration. A mechanism to link operational requirements with machine tool reliability and maintenance parameters is proposed. Use of such a mechanism in decision making is also demonstrated with the help of examples.