Stochastic behavior analysis of the forming unit in a paper mill using NGABLT technique

Abstract

Purpose

The puprose of this paper is to analyse the stochastic behavior of an industrial system using a novel hybridized technique NGABLT. The forming unit of a paper mill situated in north India producing approximately 200 tons of paper per day has been considered for analysis. The authors have made efforts to incorporate vague, ambiguous, imprecise and conflicting information quantified by fuzzy numbers.

Design/methodology/approach

Field data for repairable industrial systems are in the form of failures and repair rates are vague, ambiguous, qualitative and imprecise in nature. Using the data, system stochastic behavior in terms of six well‐known reliability indices is analysed considering some desired degree of accuracy. A practical case of forming unit in a paper mill is considered to compute the reliability indices by using NGABLT technique. Sensitive of system behavior is analysed through surface plots by taking different combinations of reliability indices. The findings have been supplied to the nearby industry for future course of action in maintenance.

Findings

The behavior analysis results computed by NGABLT technique have reduced region of prediction in comparison of existing Lambda‐Tau technique region i.e. uncertainties involved in the analysis are reduced. It may be a more useful tool to assess the current system condition and to improve the system performance.

Originality/value

The authors have suggested a hybridized technique for analyzing the stochastic behavior of the repairable industrial system by computing its reliability indices.

Citation

Komal, Sharma, S.P. and Kumar, D. (2010), "Stochastic behavior analysis of the forming unit in a paper mill using NGABLT technique", Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, Vol. 16 No. 1, pp. 107-122. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552511011030354