Interval replacement policies with minimal repair for parallel system

This paper addresses limitations of fixed timing and rigid plans in traditional age replacement policies, focusing on interval replacement with minimal repair for parallel systems of independent identical components. A general framework for the policy and associated optimization with n as a key parameter is systematically presented and analyzed. The proposed interval-based preventive maintenance model assumes scheduling maintenance within a time interval is more practical than fixed-point maintenance. Compared to traditional strategies, it introduces greater flexibility in policy development; while cost rate functions differ marginally, the new model enhances implementation effectiveness, efficiency, and convenience. Notably, these findings extend existing literature by shifting focus from age-centered to interval-driven replacement. They also demonstrate strong adaptability in benchmarking against constant-component systems, aligning with reliability engineering validation practices through consistent cross-configuration performance.