Optimization of equipment performance guarantee strategy based on imperfect periodic preventive maintenance

Performance guarantee strategy is a procurement method oriented toward achieving equipment performance goals. For two-dimensional warranty equipment employing imperfect periodic preventive maintenance (PM), this study establishes a warranty cost and availability model based on the derived equipment failure rate function, thereby forming a cost–availability ratio model. By introducing a profit function incorporating incentive mechanisms, the manufacturer’s warranty profit is linked to the equipment’s availability level, thereby establishing a performance guarantee decision-making model for equipment. This model aims to minimize the cost–availability ratio, with PM intervals and the degree of PM serving as decision variables. In the case study, the ant colony optimization algorithm is employed to solve the model, revealing that compared to strategies focused solely on minimizing warranty cost or maximizing warranty availability, the performance guarantee strategy not only ensures equipment availability and enhances manufacturer warranty profits but also significantly reduces the cost–availability ratio, achieving a win–win outcome for both manufacturers and users. Finally, through sensitivity analysis, management insights are proposed to facilitate the implementation of performance guarantee strategies by manufacturers, providing a reference basis for practical application.