Evaluating the economical impact of expert fault diagnosis systems: the I-CAT experience

The authors address the factors that permit the meeting of the objectives of rapid, economical fault isolation and maintenance troubleshooting utilizing the I-CAT expert fault isolation diagnosis system. Emphasis is placed on the economic considerations. Costs and cost-benefits are considered in qualitative terms. Quantitative figures are provided where available for specific tests and applications. Insight into the costs and cost-savings to be obtained using an expert system for fault location is provided. Economic considerations are discussed as they apply throughout the life cycle of the products to be tested. The authors conclude with guidelines for doing a cost analysis of AI fault detection systems, including rule-based expert systems and unique systems such as I-CAT