Modeling Complex Systems and Their VariabilityThe Monte Carlo approach relies on data that describe the variation of elements within the system. It also connects the elements such that the result is an estimate of performance. For reliability modeling this is easiest to imagine for a series system. Continue reading
Fault tree analysis (FTA) is a technique used to explore the many potential or actual causes of product or system failure. It is best applied when there are many possible ways for something may fail. For example, when my car doesn’t start, it could be a dead battery, a faulty starter, a loose wire, an absence of fuel, and on and on. Continue reading
What Is HALTHighly accelerated life testing (HALT) is a technique to expose weaknesses or faults with a product. HALT uses individual or combined stresses in a step-stress approach to quickly apply sufficient stress to reveal defects. Continue reading
Reliability or life testing involves estimating the expected durability over time of an item. This may be an entire system, a product, or an individual component. We may also focus on an element of a component, such as a material property. At the end of the testing we want to say something meaningful about the expected performance over time. Continue reading
Why do so many avoid failure? In product development of plant asset management, we are surrounded by people who steadfastly do not want to know about nor talk about failures.
Failure does happen. We cannot ignore this simple fact. Continue reading