How important is the reliability brand?
Abstract
Carl and Fred discussing the importance of customer perception from a reliability point of view.
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SOR 333 How important is the reliability brand?
FMEA Q and A – addressing errant cleaning operation in Process FMEA
FMEA Q and A
What if a production worker uses a different cleaning method for an assembly operation than was outlined in the operation work instructions, and the result is customer complaints and field issues. How could this be addressed in a Process FMEA? This question is discussed and answered in this FMEA Q and A article.
“I think that probably the most important thing about our education was that it taught us to question even those things we thought we knew.”
Thabo Mbeki
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Understanding FMEA Detection Risk – Part 2
Can you find this common error in detection ranking in the intermediate problem in this article? In the advanced problem, the topic of an in-service detection scale will challenge the most experienced readers.
Understanding FMEA Detection: Part 1
Can You Find a Needle in a Haystack?
Failure modes and their causes can be detected in service, like tire pressure monitors on your vehicle. Is that what is assessed in the Detection column of the FMEA? This article discusses detection risk, including examples, and answers this question.
FMEA Q and A – Special Characteristics in Process FMEA
FMEA Q and A
Ponder this question: Let’s say you are an OEM and assemble parts made by various suppliers. When performing your Process FMEA, do you consider special characteristics for components in your Process FMEA? This question is discussed and answered in this edition of FMEA Q and A.
“The key to wisdom is this – constant and frequent questioning, for by doubting we are led to question, by questioning we arrive at the truth.”
Peter Abelard
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SOR 298 What is the Biggest Challenge Facing Reliability Engineers?
What is the Biggest Challenge Facing Reliability Engineers?
Abstract
Carl and Fred discussing the most important challenges facing reliability engineers.
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SOR 297 Reliability and Risk Management
Reliability and Risk Management
Abstract
Carl and Fred discussing the subject of risk management and how reliability relates to it.
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Understanding FMEA Occurrence Risk – Part 2
Problems and Solutions
Assessing the occurrence ranking is one of the more challenging aspects of FMEAs. This article presents problems that relate to occurrence risk assessment, based on a fictitious case study, and highlights a common mistake.
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SOR 293 What is the Role of Standards in Reliability Programs?
What is the Role of Standards in Reliability Programs?
Abstract
Carl and Fred discussing the role of standards in reliability programs.
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SOR 292 Where Should the Reliability Group Reside? – Part 2
Where Should the Reliability Group Reside? – Part 2
Abstract
Carl and Fred reply to a question from a listener about the location of the reliability group, and expand on the earlier podcast on this topic.
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Understanding FMEA Occurrence Risk – Part 1
The Scale from Remote to Certain
Some FMEA teams associate occurrence ranking with Failure Mode; others associate it with Effect. Still others connect associate it with Cause? Which is correct? This article discusses occurrence risk, including examples, and answers this question.
“Reality is not always probable, or likely.”
Jorge Luis Borges
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Note from “Inside FMEA” Author
As of the date of this note, the Inside FMEA series of articles has completed the “Introduction to FMEA Series,” and is nearly complete with the “FMEA Fundamentals Series.”
This year, Inside FMEA articles will continue on a monthly basis. Each article will be posted for readers on the 1st day of the month.
As soon as the “FMEA Fundamentals Series” is completed, articles will continue with the “FMEA Preparation Series,” followed by the “FMEA Facilitation Series” and the “FMEA Special Topics Series.”
Readers of my book, Effective FMEAs, will continue to find the content of the Inside FMEA articles consistent with the concepts in the book.
It is my sincere desire that each and every person who reads Inside FMEA articles will discover the articles enjoyable to read and experience improved success in FMEA applications. As I say to readers of my book, “best wishes for effective FMEAs.”
Carl S. Carlson
FMEA Q and A – Redundant FMEA Recommendations
FMEA Q and A
What if an FMEA recommended action is redundant with the Design Controls? A reader makes this observation about an earlier article, and asks the question about the value of redundancy in FMEA.
“It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question.”
Eugene Ionesco
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Understanding FMEA Severity Risk – Part 2
Problems and Solutions
Is action always required on high-severity issues? What if severity is high (9 or 10 on a severity scale of 1 to 10), and the occurrence and detection rankings are both low? Is action still required? This problem, as well as a challenging problem involving fail-safe strategies, are the subject of this problem-solution article.
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Understanding FMEA Severity Risk – Part 1
The Seriousness of Consequences
Have you ever been in an FMEA meeting where the team did not agree on the severity rating? Understanding and correctly applying severity risk is an important part of FMEA application. This article discusses the subject of severity risk, including examples for design and process FMEAs, and offers a tip on what to do when the team does not agree on the severity risk rating.
“The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.”
Henry Ford