Application of Multivariate Control Charts for Condition Based Maintenance

Condition monitoring is the foundation of a condition based maintenance (CBM). To relate the information obtained from the condition monitoring to the actual state of the system, it is usually required a stochastic model. On the other hand, considering the interactions and similarities that exist between CBM and statistical process control (SPC), the integrated models for CBM and SPC have been developed. These models apply control charts as a condition monitoring technique, and the inference about the operational states of the system is based on the collected information about the quality of the produced items. Finally, it is decided whether to implement certain type of maintenance actions. This paper describes the application of multivariate control charts as a condition monitoring technique for CBM purposes. To this end, an integrated model is developed, while it is used a chi-square control chart. Also, to determine the inspection time points, a constant hazard policy is applied.