Joint optimization of the selective maintenance and repairperson assignment problem when using new and remanufactured spare parts

This paper deals with the problem of the selective maintenance (SM) optimization for a series-parallel system. The system performs several missions with breaks between consecutive missions. To improve the system reliability during the next mission, its components are maintained during the breaks. Current models in the SM literature usually assume that when a component is subjected to a replacement, it is done by a new one. This paper introduces a novel variant of the selective maintenance problem (SMP) where a mixture of new and reconditioned/remanufactured parts are used to carry out replacements. It has indeed been proved that remanufacturing processes can extend the life of a product returned from the field. This provides not only economic opportunities but also favours sustainable practices. Accordingly, a novel mixed integer nonlinear programming model of the SMP is developed and optimally solved. Numerical experiments show how using reconditioned spare parts impacts the SM decisions. (C) 2019, IFAC (International Federation of Automatic Control) Hosting by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.