Speaking Of Reliability: Friends Discussing Reliability Engineering Topics | Warranty | Plant Maintenance

Why do we make assumptions? Because they give us information for free. This is often really useful, especially if you have a fair amount of experience or expertise on a particular topic or area. But we often like making assumptions that make our life easy. And this is really bad. The post SOR 926 Just Assuming appeared first on Accendo Reliability.

Regulation Reducing Safety Abstract Greg and Fred discuss conformity assessment and what should and can you do to comply with a regulatory requirement. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss safety regulations and compliance to standards. Topics include: What is conformity assessment? Why is conformity assessment important? How can you demonstrate compliance? What […] The post SOR 925 Regulation Reducing Safety appeared first on Accendo Reliability.

Improving Information Abstract Greg and Fred discuss how to improve your ability to get the right information to solve the right problems. Key Points Join Fred and Greg as they discuss how to focus on the right information if you’re doing an analysis, surveillance, or audit. Topics include: Do you ask the right questions to […] The post SOR 924 Improving Information appeared first on Accendo Reliability.

You might have heard of Monte Carlo simulation. This might sound advanced, or challenging, or beyond your skills. It's not! In fact, Monte Carlo simulation can do a really good job of modeling really, really complex things really easily. Want to learn more? Listen to this podcast. The post SOR 923 When to do Monte Carlo appeared first on Accendo Reliability.

We are often pestered into 'measuring' reliability before we start 'improving' reliability. Measuring can be important ... but it is only important if it will help you make a decision. So, start with understanding the decision you are trying to inform. The post SOR 922 Many Ways to Estimate Reliability appeared first on Accendo Reliability.

Lifespan of an FMEA Abstract Carl and Fred discuss a reader question about what is called a “living FMEA.” Is this a good idea? How is it done? Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss whether to update FMEAs with test and field information on an ongoing basis. Topics include: An updated FMEA […] The post SOR 921 Lifespan of an FMEA appeared first on Accendo Reliability.

RCM and FMEAs Abstract Carl and Fred discuss a reader question on FMEAs that involve maintenance. Specifically, can a Design FMEA have causes that are maintenance related? Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss Reliability Centered Maintenance, and the role that FMEA plays in doing RCM projects. Topics include: RCM includes an FMEA […] The post SOR 920 RCM and FMEAs appeared first on Accendo Reliability.

Details and Plans Abstract Greg and Fred discuss why and how the triple constraints of a project: schedule, cost, and scope variances result in risks that can result in project failure. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss schedule risk, cost risk, and scope risk. Topics include: What are schedule, cost, and scope risks? […] The post SOR 919 Details and Plans appeared first on Accendo Reliability.

Plug and Pray Abstract Greg and Fred discuss why engineers plug numbers into a formula not really knowing why or what they are doing. At best, this is called ‘plug and play.’ At worst, this is called ‘plug and pray’ the formula works. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss the challenges of […] The post SOR 918 Plug and Pray appeared first on Accendo Reliability.

Bad History Challenge Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss how to deal with those who have said that they tried using the HALT methodology with a past project but did not find any benefit from it. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the situation where a we are trying to introduce a new […] The post SOR 917 Bad History Challenge appeared first on Accendo Reliability.

Cycles or Time Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss whether we should use time or number of cycles or total time a product has been available for use. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss a question from a listener on whether it’s better to use time or cycles as a reliability metric. Topics […] The post SOR 916 Cycles or Time appeared first on Accendo Reliability.

Always complaining about your organization not being aware of reliability engineering? The reality is, we make ourselves aware of what we want to be aware of. So the trick is to motivate people. The most 'aware' person in the world won't use that awareness if he or she has no motivation to do it. The post SOR 915 Creating Reliability Awareness appeared first on Accendo Reliability.

Ever heard of MIL-HDBK 217F? It is a document that contains lots of failure rate estimates for classes of electronic components ... compiled in 1991. Based on data provided by a small number of companies. With the gaps filled in by military data dating decades before that. And some people want to base reliability estimates on applying these failure rates to the smartphones, guided weapons navigation systems and other sophisticated electronics of today? Madness. The post SOR 914 Required to Use MIL-HDBK 217? appeared first on Accendo Reliability.

Using DFR Tools Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss using Design for Reliability (DFR) for reliability development of a new product. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the use of DFx, being design for tests, design for manufacturing and design for reliability and the basics of good designs. Topics include: There are many […] The post SOR 913 Using DFR Tools appeared first on Accendo Reliability.

Using Outside Labs Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the use and tradeoffs of using external environmental testing and failure analysis labs versus having in-house equipment Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the advantages and drawbacks of a independent test and or failure analysis lab, versus stetting up an internal lab. Topics include: […] The post SOR 912 Using Outside Labs appeared first on Accendo Reliability.

Dealing with Data Abstract Philip and Fred discuss the first basic steps when confronted with a pile of data. Key Points Join Philip and Fred as they discuss Topics include: Consider the source and collection method Consider what we are trying to learn and need to know Plot the data – dot plots, histograms, etc. […] The post SOR 911 Dealing with Data appeared first on Accendo Reliability.

Consumable Product Reliability Abstract Chris and Fred discuss how to approach reliability objectives and testing for consumable elements of a product or system. Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss Topics include: Consumables either work or they don’t Some consumables have a shelf life – which we can treat like reliability What can […] The post SOR 910 Consumable Product Reliability appeared first on Accendo Reliability.

Assumptions and Analysis Abstract Philip and Fred discuss a fundamental element of all statistical analysis. Key Points Join Philip and Fred as they discuss Topics include: Every analysis or model has assumptions – understand them first Check the assumptions Assumptions are not true because we wish they were Enjoy an episode of Speaking of Reliability. […] The post SOR 909 Assumptions and Analysis appeared first on Accendo Reliability.

Why is Reliability a Process? Abstract Carl and Fred discuss the process of reliability, which also happens to be the name of their new book. They answer the question “why is reliability a process”? and discuss what happens if reliability is only approached as a series of methods. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as […] The post SOR 908 Why is Reliability a Process? appeared first on Accendo Reliability.

How Root is the Cause? Abstract Carl and Fred discuss the broad subject of identifying root causes and how deep to go. It’s not as simple as getting to the “root.” Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they share experiences in root cause analysis and how it is applied in various reliability engineering methods. […] The post SOR 907 How Root is the Cause? appeared first on Accendo Reliability.