Example Using the Repairable Systems Simulation Platform

In this example, you run 100 iterations of a simulation of a car system and analyze the system’s estimated outage time over the course of 10 years.

1. Select Help > Sample Data, click Open the Sample Scripts Directory, and open Car Repair Simulation.jsl.

Figure 12.2 Car Repair System Diagram 

An RSS window that diagrams a car system appears. In the diagram, the first block on the left is the Start block. Notice in the Configuration panel, on the right side of the RSS window, that the simulation is set to run for 3650 days.

2. (Optional) Enter 555 next to Seed.

Because the simulation involves random component failures, this action ensures that you obtain the exact results shown below.

3. Click the green triangle below the Start block to simulate the car system.

A data table that contains the simulation results appears.

4. Click the green arrow next to the Launch Repairable Systems Simulation Results Explorer script.

A window appears containing the Repairable Systems Simulation Results report. For more information about how to interpret these results, see Repairable Systems Simulation Results.

Figure 12.3 Partial RSS Report 

You predict that the car will be available between 3,600 and 3,640 days over the next 10 years. Because the values shown in the Point Estimation of System Availability graph are close to one, you conclude that the car will be mostly available to drive over the next 10 years. You are interested in which components cause the most downtime for the system.

5. Click the red triangle next to Repairable Systems Simulation Results - Number and select Box Plot of Total System Downtime by Component.

Figure 12.4 Partial Box Plot of Total System Downtime by Component Report 

You conclude that the tires cause the most downtime for the car system. To increase the average total system availability, you might consider using more durable tires or carrying another spare tire.