Basic Risk Management
Abstract
Greg and Fred discussing how to set up a risk assessment program.
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SOR 838 Basic Risk Management
QDD 097 Brainstorming within Design Sprints
Brainstorming within Design Sprints
We’re in our 6th episode into our series about generating ideas with our team toward action. The first two episodes were all about idea generation. The 3rd through 5th episodes was about using Quality Tools to help us group, explore, prioritize, and decide on an idea.
There’s one more method to consider in this series: a design sprint.
A design sprint utilizes all of these things we’ve been talking about. We talk about the book Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days and how these ideas fit together.
RM 114: The Remarkable Return of the Post-Reflow Cleaning Process
The Remarkable Return of the Post-Reflow Cleaning Process
On this show, we’ve discussed many aspects of the Electronics assembly process. We talked about reflow, thermal management, printing, soldering materials, additives, and so much more. What do all these topics have in common? When done correctly, they all contribute to the reliability of circuit assemblies.
Today, we’re going to dive into the subject of cleaning circuit assemblies after reflow. For many assemblers, the cleaning process was replaced by the use of no clean flux technology. Time and technology have eroded the concept of allowing all residues to remain on the assembly. Today, residue caused failures are such a concern, that IPC recently and radically changed the way circuit assemblies are considered to be clean.
My guests today are Sal Sparacino and Eric Camden. Sal is Director of Sales at Zestron Americas, located in Manassas Virginia. Zestron is a manufacturer of cleaning chemicals for the electronics industry. Eric is Lead Investigator for Foresite, an analytical laboratory based in Kokomo Indiana. Eric, is the guy you call when things go wrong. Together with my experience as a cleaning equipment manufacturer, we’ll discuss how cleaning contributes to increased reliability, and we’ll review the reasons cleaning has returned as a mainstream assembly process.
Guest Contact Info:
Sal Sparacino
sal.sparacino@zestronusa.com
https://www.zestron.com
Eric Camden
ericc@foresiteinc.com
https://www.foresiteinc.com
SOR 837 Checking Assumptions
Checking Assumptions
Abstract
Greg and Fred discussing how assumptions in reliability and quality engineering are highly critical. We all know what assume can stand for: make an ‘ass of u and me.’
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SOR 836 Backup Balance
Backup Balance
Abstract
Kirk and Fred discussing how much we should invest in backup power or systems redundancy to prepare for rare weather or use conditions.
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MC 005 Metals Engineering Perspective to Component Design
Metals Engineering Perspective to Component Design
In this episode Michael discusses the metals engineering perspective to component design. The concepts actually apply to all materials – metals, polymer, ceramics, and new classes of materials.
No matter the application, the considerations when designing a component are always the same. It’s necessary to understand all the design requirements when selecting materials and finalizing a component’s shape and features. The design requirements include performance, reliability, weight, cost, how the component will be fabricated, and how it will be joined to other components. With this information it’s possible to identify alloys and make changes to the component’s shape and features as needed to meet the design requirements at low-cost. Often, trade-offs between component materials and form are made to optimize the design. This is especially important for design for manufacturability to keep costs down and ensure a receptive supply base.
QDD 096 After the ‘Storm: Compare and Prioritize Ideas
After the ‘Storm: Compare and Prioritize Ideas
We’re in our 5th episode of our series about generating ideas with our team toward action. The first two episodes were all about idea generation. The 3rd was about grouping and exploring ideas. The 4th was about screening ideas. Now, we’ll look at ways to compare ideas.
We’re still considering that we’re just after brainstorming, at the point where we have many ideas and no next steps.
Let’s compare ideas with our team so we can move toward action. We explore these Quality Tools and how to use them after a brainstorming or other idea-generating team activity:
- paired comparison
- prioritization matrix
- DMRCS
The State of Reliability Education
The State of Reliability Education
podcast episode with speaker Fred Schenkelberg
We have many options to learn reliability engineering—books, magazines, newsletters, conferences, seminars, etc. We have options. Some options are better than others, depending on what you want to know. Likewise, some options are better than others, depending on what you want to share.
SOR 835 Role of Technical Papers
Role of Technical Papers
Abstract
Kirk and Fred discussing technical papers, which Fred and Kirk have a few on the website Research Gate, and the role they play in the reliability engineering world.
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SOR 834 Reliability Assumptions
Reliability Assumptions
Abstract
Carl and Fred discussing the broad subject of assumptions, and how they impact reliability analysis and applications. When are assumptions good and when are they questionable?
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RiM 19: Integrated Logistics Support and Logistics Support Analysis
Integrated Logistics Support and Logistics Support Analysis
Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) and Logistics Support Analysis (LSA) are terms commonly used in the Defence Industry but in other industries, it is not discussed. However, the different facets of LSA such as FMECA, RCM, Maintenance Task Analysis & Level of Repair Analysis are performed but these activities lack cohesion and are often performed in isolation or as disparate activities. In this episode, I got an introduction to what ILS and LSA are, the differences between them, and the benefits of performing LSA during the design lifecycle of any asset.
If you want to learn more about ILS and LSA or have any questions, you can reach out to Ian Mortimer through LinkedIn.
QDD 095 After the ‘Storm: Pareto Voting and Screening Methods
After the ‘Storm: Pareto Voting and Screening Methods
We’re in our 4th episode into our series about generating ideas with our team toward action. The first two episodes were all about idea generation. The 3rd was about grouping and exploring ideas.
We’re still considering that we’re just after brainstorming, at the point where we have many ideas and no next steps.
Let’s instead screen our ideas so we can move toward action. We explore these Quality Tools and how to use them after a brainstorming or other idea-generating team activity:
- 2×2 chart
- Systematic list reduction
- Multivoting or Pareto Voting
RM 113: A Conversation about Counterfeit Component Detection with Dr. Eyal Weiss
A Conversation about Counterfeit Component Detection with Dr. Eyal Weiss
We are all aware of the “oldest profession in the world”. Perhaps the second oldest profession is counterfeiting. Whenever a product is introduced, a counterfeit version soon follows. While the electronics industry has experienced counterfeit components from its inception, recent events such as the pandemic and supply chain shortages have fueled the counterfeit industry.
Statistics by the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) reveal that the counterfeiting of electronic parts in the US alone, cost the chip industry more than $7.5 billion in revenue annually. According to new data from the ERAI, a global information board for counterfeiting, reports of counterfeit electronic products are growing. Although it is difficult to put an exact figure on just how many counterfeit products are in circulation, estimates suggest that consumer and industrial businesses lose approximately $250 billion each year due to counterfeit parts.
To talk more about counterfeit components and detection technologies, I invited Dr. Eyal Weiss, Founder and CTO of Cybord to be my guest. Dr. Weiss received his Ph.D. in Electronic and Computer Engineering from BGU (Ben-Gurion University) in Israel
As well as a Masters in Plasma Physics and bachelors cum laude in Mechanical Engineering from the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology.
He worked as a researcher on pulsed plasma at Soreq Research Center (SNRC). He then worked as a technology department manager in the high-tech fiber-optics industry. He was the technology manager at Lynx Photonics and then at Explay, developing state-of-the-art Silicon and optical chips production, packaging, and assembly production lines. He developed a new fiber-pigtailing and packaging technology and built full-scale production lines utilizing this new technology.
He returned to Soreq SNRC and for 15 years served as manager and leading scientist of the R&D Systems Department. He built mass-production lines and assembly lines for new sensors technology and developed their test equipment. He has twice received the prestigious Israel Defense Prize.
In 2018, he founded and became CTO of Cybord, developing electronic component qualification and authentication technologies. He is a member of the Israel Innovation Authority, Euramet, SAE, and IPC committees. He specializes in multidisciplinary technology development and has received significant awards and accolades in the fields of machine learning, plasma physics, optical assemblies, laser technology, and electromagnetics.
Dr. Weiss is an expert in technology development and manufacturing technology and has published over 20 peer-review articles, 4 patents, and a book, and, I’m happy to say, he’s my guest on this episode of the Reliability Matters podcast.
SOR 833 FMEA Occurrence Question
FMEA Occurrence Question
Abstract
Carl and Fred discussing a question received by an Inside FMEA reader on the subject of FMEA occurrence rating.
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RM Special Episode: A Conversation about Business Challenges with STI Electronics’ President David Raby
A Conversation about Business Challenges with STI Electronics’ President David Raby
David Raby is President of Madison Alabama-based STI Electronics, a contract manufacturer for the EMS industry. David worked at the family business since he was a child and eventually took over the family business when his father (and company founder) Jim Raby retired.
The electronics industry moves at the speed of light and any business within the EMS industry must learn to stay ahead of technology and trends. David shares some of his experiences in taking over the family business and some of the challenges his business (and many other businesses) face on a near daily basis.
David Raby’s Contact Information:
draby@stiusa.com