Your Reliability Engineering Professional Development Site
Find all articles across all article series listed in reverse chronological order.
I was assigned to a new project at HP as a reliability engineer was to develop a rear projection, large screen TV. As the project was being defined, I was informed that an Asian Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) would be developing and manufacturing the HW while HP developed the SW. HP would own the service center support of field issues. My role was to represent the customer and evaluate the reliability of the final product. [Read more…]
A title like this is supposed to make you curious about two things: First is whether you are aware of these myths and second is if you are aware of them but wrongly believe them. They are myths after all.
Working in the reliability field with a focus on electrical systems, I have become increasingly aware of how many people believe in one or more of these myths and, more strikingly, stake their production uptime and even their career on them. I am not over-exaggerating. It is a big problem we seldom hear about because following these myths has led to a significant increase in the number of transformer failures with a corresponding dramatic increase in the cost of those failures.
So let’s get started. Be honest about it. If you know these are myths and are thinking the right way, then you will no doubt have just verified your prowess. On the other hand, if you believe some or all of these myths, then now is the time to recalibrate and set the record straight. [Read more…]
A critical operation within many organizations is CAPA processes. The tool set to address issues is extensive. This video addresses the topic at a high level to help direct your approach. [Read more…]
Most of us would agree that there is a new global economy being forged in the manufacturing sector today. Inevitably, this translates to a renewed focus on transferring more business value to the customer. Driving value in maintenance translates to high reliability and central to this will be linking RCM (Reliability Centered Maintenance) facilitation with effective maintenance program implementations. [Read more…]
In September 2019, the Local Government Department of the Australian State of New South Wales (NSW), issued “A New Risk Management And Internal Audit Framework” (1). The Minister of Local Government in a forward to the framework states: “Formal risk management and internal audit is a vital part of the NSW Government’s plan to ensure that councils achieve their strategic objectives in the most efficient effective and economical manner. [Read more…]
“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right” Henry Ford.
Henry Ford understood the power of the mind and the power of belief systems. Many of us limit ourselves with what we’ve been told throughout our lives or what we’ve been conditioned by society. Understanding your beliefs and the story behind those beliefs is the first step to changing them so your beliefs work for you.
Two of my go-to limiting beliefs are self-worth related and have caused me a lot of grief. [Read more…]
“I didn’t fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong.” Benjamin Franklin
Properly done, Design FMEAs should improve product designs and test plans. This article describes how DFMEAs can be used to improve testing and analysis, which are embodied in the Design Verification Plan (DVP).
In November 2019, General Motors recalled over 640,000 pickup trucks worldwide because hot gas from a high-tech seat belt can set the carpeting on fire [1]. The recall covers 2019 and 2020Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks. Also included are some 2020 Silverado and Sierra 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty pickups. All have carpet as a floor covering, GM says it uses a small explosion to move a piston that tightens the belts before a crash. The explosion can release hot gas through an opening in a bracket, possibly setting the carpet on fire. The company reports two fires but no injuries. [Read more…]
As reliability professionals, we have a lot to do. Risks to identify, failures to analyze. Plans to draft, numbers to crunch. Meetings, writing, research, and leading fill the day.
The list of tasks that you have before you each day is impressive and daunting. So, how do you focus on what actually requires your attention and not just the tasks that get your attention?
Focusing on data only is a limiting view compared to wanting to make decisions. The decisions should come first, and the data to support that comes second. This video covers this conversation. [Read more…]
A lot of attention is going to Infrastructure and its renewal. Here in Canada the recently elected Federal Government is about to spend over $100 billion on “shovel ready and shovel worthy” projects. At the municipal level alone (where we “own” about 60% of Canada’s infrastructure), some $123 billion is needed for catching up on deterioration that’s been allowed to accumulate since the 1950’s. That doesn’t take into account needs for growth. I recently attended a conference and listened to a well-regarded key-note speaker who placed our overall spending needs on infrastructure (all levels of government) nearer to $1 Trillion! The number is huge – no matter what it is. [Read more…]
Based on my years of experience, the secret to effective Project Risk Management is what I call the four cornerstones: Project Management; Earned Value Management; Risk Management; and Subcontract Management. This paper explains why. [Read more…]
Schools and universities can host hundreds to thousands of individuals each day. And from classrooms and offices to cafeterias and restrooms, there are many facilities and buildings to maintain. Not to mention critical equipment and systems such as HVAC, alarms, sprinklers and more. Ensuring everything is in working order is crucial so that schools and universities can not only function, but also keep students, faculty, staff and visitors safe. Computerized maintenance management software (CMMS) for schools helps accomplish these critical goals. There a number of CMMS software benefits for schools and universities.
While I was at the gym last week, I was listening to the Brendan Burchard podcast and he was talking about building confidence. He mentioned that you cannot build confidence with external rewards like trophies, awards, promotions, etc. and that you need to build confidence from the inside. The statement that hit me the hardest was that the way to build confidence is by progression through struggle. [Read more…]
While working at HP as a failure analysis engineer, I was asked to join a new R&D project that needed a reliability engineer. My background was in Physics with little experience in reliability other than knowing that failures occur because reliability goals were not met. At HP, reliability engineers were integrated on each HP project by rotating many disciplines of engineering from various parts of the organization. [Read more…]
