Your Reliability Engineering Professional Development Site
Chris and Fred discuss how reliability and quality is destroyed by organizations that like to have a ‘razor’ split between design and manufacturing teams. Why?
ᐅ Play Episode
Chris and Fred discuss how we can go about calculating equipment reliability … when you only have a small amount of information. Help!
ᐅ Play Episode
Discover how predictive analytics, machine learning, AI (artificial intelligence), and VR (virtual reality) reshape some of the ways we approach design. In this episode, we journey from the origins of predictive analytics to the convergence of big data, IoT, digital twins and more, paving the way for innovative product development. We’ll also discuss the potential of virtual reality to enhance collaboration and communication within design processes.
This episode isn’t just about embracing the latest tech trends; it’s about knowing when simpler solutions will suffice and the critical role of data stewardship. This overview will help you to understand the big picture of where these tools fit into your design process. Listen-in so you can better choose when to use them to optimize your design engineering endeavors, or not.
At least one group called this the ‘Delta Phase.’ It is the period shortly after launching a product and provides a unique opportunity to reduce future field failures and improve customer satisfaction dramatically. The idea is to aggressively identify and resolve any field issues identified by your customers.
There are a couple of ways to implement the Delta Phase with your product launch. Yet, it requires creating a team from the design/development team that has the authority and capability to implement design changes quickly.
Let’s explore the concept of a delta phase and how to implement it in your organization. Plus, let’s examine a few situations that make significant short and long-term reductions in the field failure rate.
On today’s episode, we’re turning our focus to a pivotal innovation that has transformed design and manufacturing processes: flexible circuits.
Flexible circuits have emerged as a game-changer in the manufacturing and design of electronic assemblies. With their unique ability to bend, twist, and conform to complex shapes, they offer unparalleled advantages in applications where space is at a premium and reliability is paramount.
From wearable technology and medical devices to aerospace systems and consumer electronics, the use of flexible circuits has expanded rapidly, bringing with it both opportunities and challenges.
In this episode, we’ll explore the evolution of flexible circuit technology, discussing its key benefits, such as lightweight construction, enhanced durability, and improved design freedom.
We’ll also touch on the manufacturing complexities, material considerations, and the critical role that process control plays in ensuring reliability and performance.
My guest today is Joseph Fjelstad. Joe is the founder of Verdant Electronics.
[Read more…]
Greg and Fred discuss how to influence decision makers to get your ideas adopted and deployed.
ᐅ Play Episode
Kirk and Fred discuss the risks to reliability of having to rework or human handling of circuit boards and rework in general.
ᐅ Play Episode
Greg and Fred discuss how to reduce complexity in life and work.
ᐅ Play Episode
Communication challenges in engineering? Dianna Deeney interviews Dr. Meagan Pollock about improving communication and the workplace. They explore how improving communication within cross-functional teams involves active listening, continuous learning, and adapting communication styles to create a more inclusive and productive environment.
This interview is part of our series, “A Chat with Cross Functional Experts”.
Dr. Meagan Pollock began her career playing with light projection on tiny, microscopic mirrors as an engineer for Texas Instruments. Through her company, Engineer Inclusion and Engineered Organizations, she now utilizes metaphorical projectors and mirrors to shine a light on micro and macro social systems that, when adjusted, improve student and employee success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. A TEDx speaker, author, and a past recipient of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, Meagan holds a PhD in engineering education from Purdue University, an MS in electrical engineering from Texas Tech University, and a BS in computer science from Texas Woman’s University. As an engineer turned educator, Meagan focuses on helping others intentionally engineer inclusion® in education and the workforce.
Diversity Drives Better Outcomes: Diverse teams consistently demonstrate improved results, leading to better design, products, and market success. However, Dr. Pollock’s driving motivation extends beyond the business case, emphasizing the ethical imperative to create environments where everyone feels valued and can contribute their best.
High-Performing Teams Prioritize Communication: Dr. Pollock cites research from Ron Friedman (Insight 80/Harvard Business Review) revealing that high-performing teams consistently engage in communication-driven practices like bonding, authenticity, appreciation, collaboration, and proactive conflict resolution.
Communication Styles are Shaped by Diverse Factors: Individual communication styles are influenced by personality, culture, upbringing, education, and lived experiences. Recognizing these differences is crucial for effective communication within diverse teams.
The Role of AI in Communication: While AI tools can aid in refining written communication, Dr. Pollock cautions that human awareness and skill are still essential to address the nuances of high-context vs. low-context communication styles.
Continuous Growth and Expansion: Dr. Pollock encourages professionals to actively seek out opportunities for continuous learning and exposure to diverse viewpoints through conferences, podcasts, social media, and interactions with individuals from different backgrounds.
In this episode of The Asset Performance Podcast, host Wim Vancauwenberghe speaks with AI and reliability engineering expert Tom Rombouts of I-care Group, on how AI can support rather than replace human expertise in maintenance. Rombouts explains “human-centric AI” as technology designed to work alongside people, enhancing human strengths like strategic vision, ethical judgment, and creativity. AI excels at analyzing large datasets to predict potential equipment failures, but the real value lies in combining AI’s analytical power with human insight for nuanced decision-making in maintenance and reliability.
Rombouts also addresses the challenges of AI adoption, stressing the need for cultural and organizational readiness to integrate AI effectively without overwhelming teams. Traditional methods like Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) can be enhanced by AI, making them more dynamic and data-driven, while indispensable human skills in complex problem-solving, leadership, and change management remain essential. AI, he argues, should be seen as a partner that frees up human workers for strategic and value-driven tasks, helping companies achieve sustainable growth by harnessing the combined power of human and artificial intelligence.
In this episode, I speak with Cameron Wight about the importance of enabling maintainers to understand the decision-making process behind the maintenance they perform and why it is important to write the work instructions to allow correct execution and capture the correct level of information. Cameron also shares his experience in the defense, maritime, and communication industries.
Today, I’m in Rosemont Illinois at SMTAI, Surface Mount Technology International. I’m in the Ultra-HDI Pavilion on the trade show floor. And what are we going to talk about here in the Ultra-HDI pavilion? Ultra high density interconnects, of course.
As the demand for smaller, faster, and more powerful devices grows, the need for innovative solutions in circuit design has never been greater. UHDI’s represent a significant leap forward, allowing for more connections in a smaller space, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in electronic assemblies.
But what exactly are UHDI’s? Essentially, they refer to circuit boards with incredibly fine pitch interconnects, enabling higher functionality and complexity in much smaller form factors.
This breakthrough is transforming industries like consumer electronics, aerospace, automotive, and medical devices, where space, weight, and performance are critical factors.
In this episode, we’ll explore the advantages UHDI’s bring to the table, from increased design flexibility and performance to better thermal management. We’ll also discuss how UHDI’s are set to impact the assembly process. With tighter tolerances and more intricate layouts, UHDI assemblies will require new approaches to assembly, inspection, and reliability testing.
Chris and Fred use the safe return of the Boeing Starliner … without the crew! What does this tell us about its safety and reliability?
ᐅ Play Episode
Chris and Fred discuss the issues we often have with ‘habits.’ Habits can be good for us. But ‘bad habits’ are just that. Ever heard the excuse ‘but that’s the way we have always done it?’
ᐅ Play Episode