A reliability-based manufacturing process planning method for the components of a complex mechatronic system

Uncertainties in the values of the parameters of a system can originate from the manufacturing tolerances of the system components, which can produce a degree of unreliability in the performance of the system. A systematic framework for realistic reliability assessment of an electro-hydraulic servo system has been presented in this paper with the objective of providing adequate information for the selection of the best manufacturing process for each of the servo valve components. Monte Carlo simulation has been employed to evaluate the effect of these uncertainties of the servo valve parameters on the statistical performance of the system. Possible manufacturing processes have been introduced for each component and the justifiability of using each one has been discussed based on the estimated reliability of the system. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Inc.