Total Cost of Ownership Analysis in the Development Phase

Abstract

In the development phase a typical means of cost saving is the replacement of a sensor with a model. A model-based methodology combined with statistical approaches is presented, enabling a holistic view on the cost and legal consequences of such a decision. It considers production tolerances, environmental conditions and their joint effect on component aging. Additionally, the effect of methodical inaccuracies on the results is reflected by confidence levels. Finally, by means of a use case, the methodology is applied to assess the exchange of a mass flow sensor by a corresponding model in terms of TCO and legal conformity.