AbstractThis paper studies the machine-repair problem with two different types of a single service station breakdown under steady-state conditions. In type 1, the service station can break down only when there is at least one failed machine in the system, while in type 2, the station can break down even if no failed machines are in the system. A profit model is developed in order to determine the optimal value of the number of machines to be assigned to the service station for both types. Numerical results are provided in which several system characteristics are evaluated under optimal operating conditions.