When performing various reliability tasks, non-repairable systems or products are treated differently from repairable systems or products. Some of the tools that are used for one type are not applicable to the other. Obviously, at some level, repairable systems are composed of non-repairable parts. Examples of non-repairable systems would be “one-shot” devices like light bulbs or more complex devices like pacemakers. Examples of repairable systems are computers, automobiles, and airplanes. What is unique about repairable systems? Availability becomes a key measure of importance. In simple terms, availability is the percentage of time that the product or system is able to perform its required functions. When the required functions cannot be performed because a failure has …
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