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

When a Proposal Fails Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing the challenge of getting a proposal for new testing (i.e HALT) accepted. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the many aspects of bringing a new approach to reliability development testing. Topics include: The many factors that are important to introducing a new test […]

When to Stop Troubleshooting Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing the challenge of when to end efforts in troubleshooting a failure. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss issues surrounding the efforts made to understand the root cause of a failure when they have had trouble recording this podcast. Topics include: In some cases […]

Things will go wrong. Or be unexpected. We can sometimes rush to solve the problem. But it is usually better to take a little bit of extra time to work out what is going on. So how do we do this? Listen to this podcast!

The 'common slope assumption' shouldn't be an assumption. It is a rule that should be checked. If you are doing what we call 'accelerated life testing' or ALT, then you are exposing your system to different stresses in order to speed up time to failure to (for example) replicate 10 years worth of use with two weeks of testing. But if the 'slope' changes, then something bad is happening. Need to learn more? Listen to this podcast!

Key Characteristics Revisited Abstract Carl and Fred having a new conversation about the age-old topic of key characteristics, and how they are used to improve products and processes. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss what is meant by key characteristics, and the application of key characteristics in achieving high reliability. Topics include: […]

Question Everything Abstract Carl and Fred discussing the value of questioning in the process of learning and personal growth. Students and instructors should question each other as part of learning, engineering teams should question each other as part of achieving consensus. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the role of questions in […]

Obsolescence and Reliability Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing the article Kirk wrote titled “Why the Drain in the Bathtub Curve Matters” (see link in notes) about how technological obsolescence, and not product failures are the cause that cause many products to be retired or replaced. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss technological […]

Reliability and Testing Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing how much of reliability engineering is devoted to testing and what other functions should a reliability engineer do. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss what a reliability engineer should be doing before a prototypes or parts are available. Topics include: Reliability engineering traditionally focused […]

Reliability and Bathtub Curve Abstract Carl and Fred discussing the origin and meaning of the reliability “bathtub” curve, and why it is not useful as a visual analogy. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the elements that make up full-life failure distributions, and the consequences of making wrong assumptions. Topics include: What […]

FMEAs and HALT Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the relationship between FMEA (Failure Mode Effects Analysis)  and HALT (Highly Accelerated Limit Test) Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss how informal or formal FMEAs help identify the potential weaknesses in a systems to apply accelerated stress testing. Topics include: FMEAs help to identify […]

Dealing with HALT Fear Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss misunderstandings of the limit testing and believing it’s “just breaking it” Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss what happens when there is not a common understanding of the using of empirical stress limits early in the development of a new product. Topics include: […]

Planning a Reliability Program Abstract Carl and Fred discussing the planning that goes into any reliability program. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss approaches to achieving high reliability. Specifically using the 6-step process. (See Show Notes) Topics include: The 6-step” process to achieve high reliability (See Show Notes) Does the 6-step process […]

People often shy away from statistics. They can be intimidating. They can be confusing. They can be challenging to identify. But we need to use statistics to inform virtually every decision we make. Especially as it relates to reliability engineering. So how do we use statistics in a way that helps us on a daily basis?

How do you identify a 'good' supplier? Many organizations focus on the 'supplies.' This means value for money, apparent capacity and capabilities and so on. But what happens when you need an issue to be resolved ... and your supplier needs to be part of the solution. If you have just selected suppliers based on the supplies ... then good luck! It is usually much more useful to focus on the human beings in the supplier organization and not the things that appear in the glossy brochures. Keen to learn more? Listen to this podcast!

Achieving or Calculating Reliability Abstract Carl and Fred discuss which reliability methods add more value to a project or program: those methods that are centered around calculating reliability or those methods that predominently support achieving reliability. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the difference bwtween reliablity methods that calculate reliability and those […]

Thoughts on ISO Standards Abstract Carl and Fred discuss ISO standards and how they impact quality and reliablity of products.  The discussion begins with the ISO 9000 series and proceeds to a discussion of standards in general. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the impact of ISO 9000 series and other ISO […]

We are surrounded with wonderful 'smart' technology and increasingly amazing manifestations of technology. But what about the basics? Reliability engineering is primarily about the basics. And you might be shocked as to how many reliability engineers out there aren't as on top of the basics as they think they are?

We always want to be 'confident.' But what does that mean? Is it the way you carry yourself? Is it a statistical concept? Is it passing a test? Is it the belief you have that you will pass the test? Or is it knowing that you have designed your product right. Yes.

HALT and Safety Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing the relationship between reliability, the fundamental limits of technology, and safety. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss possible risks to human life and how the highest priority in reliability is any failure that leads to safety risks. Topics include: Making a product more robust […]

A Great Customer Experience Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing Kirk’s experience with a new pinball machine’s component failures and the manufacturer. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss recent failures of a new pinball machine and the rapid response of the manufacturer to respond and send replacement parts. Topics include: Details on a  […]