Software reliability is a tough topic for engineers in many organizations. Join us as we demystify reliability jargon like SRE, DevOps, and more.
By Ash Patel & Sebastian Vietz
[Read more…]Reliability Boombox
In here, We discuss different problem solving techniques, tools and experiences.
by Dane Sullivan
[Read more…]Reliability U Podcast
A place for like-minded reliability and maintenance professionals to come together and share stories
by Brett Scott and Adam Lunt
[Read more…]What is Reliability?
Guest Post by Martin Shaw
In today’s complex product environment, becoming more and more electronic, do the designers and manufacturers really understand what IS Reliability ??
It is NOT simply following standards to test in RD to focus only on Design Robustness as there is too much risk in prediction confidence, it only deals with the ‘intrinsic’ failure period and rarely has sufficient Test Strength to stimulate failures. [Read more…]
Fundamentals of Reliability Maturity
Fundamentals of Reliability Maturity
podcast episode with speaker Fred Schenkelberg
An organization working to create a reliable product or system is made up of people. This is important, as a group of people working together quickly forms a culture. Culture is the idea that there is a set of norms concerning how we do what we do.
Let’s explore how a group’s culture affects its ability to create a reliable product or system. It’s part how we talk about reliability, what tasks, and tests we do. Yet, it’s more about how we each make decisions.
We will also explore the five stages of reliability maturity and how you can determine your organization’s stage. Plus, a few notes on how to improve the reliability culture.
Failure Happens – It Is What Happens Next That Matters
One of the benefits of reliability engineering is that failure happens.
Everything made, manufactured, or assembled will fail at some point. It is our desire to have items last long enough that keep working for us. Since failures happen, our work includes dealing with failures.
Get Smartr: An LCE Podcast
In-depth discussions and knowledge sharing for improving operational performance.
by Life Cycle Engineering
[Read more…]Empowering Industry podcast
A production from Empowering Pumps & Equipment as the voice of the pump and related equipment industries.
by Charli K. Matthews
[Read more…]Reliability 4.0 podcast
Exploring innovations, challenges, and experiences in maintenance and asset management.
by Sebastian Traeger
[Read more…]The Dirge of the MTBF Bias
We use our biases every day to make choices.
We select the beige sweater because we have a color bias concerning our sweaters.
Many of our biases help us quickly make decisions. We rely on biases to move through the day. Many of our biases are under the surface, unconsciously guiding our daily decisions. Mostly, biases are good or at least inconsequential.
The problem is the bias that shields us from achieving our goals. [Read more…]
Book Review: An Elementary Guide to Reliability
If you sort your Amazon search on ‘reliability engineering’ by price: low to high, you may find some interesting titles available for free or maybe a few pennies. Not one to resist a chance to fill another bookcase, it’s been a bit of a spending spree.
One of the reasons I am interested in older titles is to determine why MTBF is so prevalent today. So far, still looking and learning along the way.
There are many great books in our field. Sure, some are older. Some are not at all useful or helpful.
This book review is the first in what may become a monthly addition to the NoMTBF blog.
Today’s review is on the book, An Elementary Guide to Reliability (3rd) Third Edition
, by G. W. A. Dummer and R. C. Winton. [Read more…]
When Do Failures Count?
One technique to calculate a product’s MTBF is to count the number of failures and divide by the tally of operating time.
You already know, kind reader, that using MTBF has its own perils, yet it is done. We do not have to look very far to see someone estimating or calculating MTBF, as if it were a useful representation of reliability… alas, I digress.
Counting failures would appear to be an easy task. It apparently is not. [Read more…]
Fundamentals of Failure Analysis
Fundamentals of Failure Analysis
podcast episode with speaker Fred Schenkelberg
Failure analysis is not just about finding the root cause of a failure; it’s also about preventing future failures. Yet, the process starts much like a crime scene. Understanding some basic steps and approaches helps you fully grasp the failure and its impact or implications.
Sometimes, just identifying a failure is the difficult part. Sometimes, it’s the collection of clues or evidence. Sometimes, it’s the skills and tools needed to fully understand the root cause. The intent of any failure analysis is to understand the problem well enough to craft and implement short and long-term solutions.
Let’s explore the basics of failure analysis, the basic steps, and some ways to identify and avoid ways a failure analysis may fail. If you like, grab your Sherlock Holmes cap and magnifying glass and prepare to improve your ability to learn from every failure.
Sample Size and Duration and MTBF
Sample Size and Duration and MTBF
If you have been a reliability engineer for a week or more, or worked with a reliability engineer for a day or more, someone has asked about testing planning. The conversation may have started with “How many samples and how long will the test take?”
You have heard the sample size question.
Learn to Notice MTBF Every Day
Learn to Notice MTBF Every Day
Did you notice the speed limit signs in your neighborhood today?
If like me, you went about your commute or regular travels relatively blind. You watched for the neighbor’s dog that jumped into the road last week, yet didn’t register seeing the speed limit sign.
It’s a cognitive burden to notice the mundane or known. [Read more…]
