In a previous posting (#51, posted on June 13, 2014), I discussed product reliability, reliability engineering, and reliability management. But this Holy Trinity of reliability does not operate in a vacuum. To create a sustainable reliability program within an organization requires an understanding of its culture as well as its structure. Continue reading
Reliability is not the sole responsibility of the reliability engineer but results from nearly everyone in an organization making decisions that move toward the desired product reliability performance. Continue reading
Failure modes and effect analysis (FMEA) is a tool that works to prevent process and product problems before they occur.
I like to define FMEA’s as an organized brainstorm. The process examines a product or process and asks what could go wrong. Then the team systematically determines and rank orders for each failure mode: – the severity of the problem when it occurs – the probability of the problem occurring – the ability to detect the problem before it occurs. Continue reading
RELIABILITY PROBLEMS
Boeing representatives explained the Dreamliner would need an additional 6 months of work to bring the aircraft’s reliability in par with the existing 777 model. They made the announcement at the start of the Dubai air show. Not a good start to a week of showing off the features of the aircraft.
http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/dubai-air-show/2013-11-17/boeing-sees-six-month-horizon-787-fixes Continue reading
What is reliability management? Reliability Engineering? Would a product design or an organization benefit with a focus on reliability management and engineering? What is the value of a focus on reliability?
Any organization, that develops and produces products, has resource limits. It may be talent, capabilities, time, funding, or some combination of these. Yet, the goal to create a product that meets customer expectations includes the concept of product reliability. The product should provide the expected functions over time, without failure. This expected product reliability occurs, even if the design requirements and advertising do not explicitly mention product reliability. Continue reading