An extended EMQ model for a failure prone machine with general lifetime distribution

Abstract

This paper presents an EMQ model which determines an optimal lot size in a failure prone machine. It is assumed that time between failures of a machine is generally distributed, and a machine is repaired instantaneously when it fails. Depending on various types of failure rate function of a machine, it is discussed how to determine an EMQ and prove its uniqueness. Variations of an EMQ depending on repair cost are also examined. Through numerical experiments, extensive investigations are carried out on the effects of repair cost and setup cost to an EMQ as well as average cost, and some interesting behaviors are observed.