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Non-destructive Testing of Welds

Non-destructive Testing of Welds

Non-destructive testing of welds. Welding processes and methods can introduce contaminants and metallurgical defects into the weld. If a weld is required to withstand severe loading conditions and stresses it is critical to insure its quality meets minimum standards. Welds can be tested by destructive and non-destructive techniques. Most production is tested by use of non-destructive methods. The most common non-destructive tests to check welds are Visual Inspection, Liquid Penetrant, Magnetic Particle, Eddy Current, Ultrasonic, Acoustic Emission and Radiography. Keywords: NDT, quality control, non-conformance, verification, weld procedure. [Read more…]

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Use The Force in Your Favor

Use The Force in Your Favor

We all would like a clear path to achieve what we need.  But we all know that it’s not the clear sections of the path where we spend most of our time.  In product development many of these events we label as “obstacles” are in fact other individuals.

If these team members are noted as being strong enough to be considered an obstacle that means they have strength.  This is a good quality in a team member.  If we were to get ourselves headed in “generally” the same direction a lot of progress could be made very quickly.

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The 7 Requirements of an Asset Management System

The 7 Requirements of an Asset Management System

Understanding the Requirements of the ISO 55001 Standard

When looking through the ISO 55001 standard, one may quickly become overwhelmed with the requirements.

The ISO 55001 standard was written in a way that groups the requirements, making it easier to understand & implement the standard.

This is different that subjects found in asset management (which we will discuss next week).  These are the requirements that must be met if one to certify themselves against the ISO 55001 standard. [Read more…]

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The Future of Enterprise Risk Management in the 2020’s

The Future of Enterprise Risk Management in the 2020’s

Guest Post by Greg Caroll (first posted on CERM ® RISK INSIGHTS – reposted here with permission)

The 2009 release of ISO 31000 was the first step across the threshold into 21st century risk management. Unfortunately the industry that has developed around it has firmly grabbed the doorway and won’t let go.  Although the latest revisions make references to decision making and integration into functional purpose, it totally misses the point of risk management, which is to assist navigating a complex world. [Read more…]

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Electric Motor Variable Speed Drives Operation

Electric Motor Variable Speed Drives Operation

Electric motor variable speed drives operation. Alternating current electric motor speeds can be changed by the use of a frequency converter. This device changes the frequency of the alternating current to the motor. This then changes the rotating speed of the motor’s internal magnetic field. The speed of the rotor responds accordingly and so allows for variable speed control of connected items. When these devices are used there are several issues that need to be addressed to insure successful selection and long-term operation. Keywords: VSD, precise speed control, over- speed, motor controller, frequency inverter. [Read more…]

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Small Satellites, Emerging Technology and Big Opportunities (part seven of seven) – Ok … now what?

Small Satellites, Emerging Technology and Big Opportunities (part seven of seven) – Ok … now what?

There is no question that standardizing processes, techniques and best practices has contributed greatly to technological evolution. Just writing down or passing on what has worked well in the past helps anyone’s learning process. But there are many problems associated with this approach when blind obedience kills critical thinking.

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How to analyze Design of Experiment Data

How to analyze Design of Experiment Data

Many times, a complete analysis is not performed with DOE testing. However, the learning value is substantial for model building situations and only takes a small amount of additional time if you know what you are looking for. In this video, we give an overview of the key items we look for to develop break throughs in product and process development. This same process has been used for the majority of our 25+ years of DOE experience. [Read more…]

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The Key 3 Asset Management Documents

The Key 3 Asset Management Documents

Understanding these asset management documents will set the stage for an asset management program.

Aligning an organization is a critical step to implementing and ensuring the success of an asset management system.  Various change management techniques will be used to bring about the change, but how do you ensure the message, direction, and principles of the asset management program are communicated consistently and clearly? [Read more…]

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Good Communication — Illusional, Accidental, or Premeditated

Good Communication — Illusional, Accidental, or Premeditated

Guest Post by Malcolm Peart (first posted on CERM ® RISK INSIGHTS – reposted here with permission)

Firstly, what is ‘good communication’?  Many people have views, but my definition is “the effective and efficient transfer and receipt of information by the right people, at the right time, in the right medium, at the right place and in the right amount”. [Read more…]

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The Good DFMEA The Bad DFMEA and Ugly outcomes

The Good DFMEA The Bad DFMEA and Ugly outcomes

If you finish the Design Failure Mode Effects Analysis (DFMEA) before the product is out in the field, you have made a horrible mistake. The worst DFMEA that can occur is one that is completed and filed away mid-program. A high value DFMEA is a live tool that has both inputs and directive outputs throughout the program. A tool that is interwoven into the day to day activity of the program.  The DFMEA drives actions and aids decisions both technically and in project management.  It is updated with design changes that change risk and mitigative strategies.

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Understanding RPN Limitations – Problems and Solutions

Understanding RPN Limitations – Problems and Solutions

In this week’s FMEA problems and solutions article, the intermediate problem challenges readers to prioritize a series of RPNs (with their corresponding S, O, and D). In the advanced problem, readers are asked to weigh in on a fictitious debate between advocates of traditional RPN, and advocates of criticality assessment, using only severity and occurrence.

If you haven’t yet read the article titled “Prioritizing risk for corrective actions in an FMEA – Know before you go!“, you can access it by clicking on the link.

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Reliability Benefits from Product Support

I was reading an article recently about Apple MacBook Pro keyboard issues, affecting the current generation of products, on which this article is being written.  I also have an iPhone sitting next to me playing “music” whilst I wait for a call-center agent to reply on a travel issue.  In both cases, I am dependent on their correct functioning.  My past experience across many products is that my overall experience is also dependent on how product support is delivered in case of hardware failure.

Design and business choices strongly affect in-life support capability.  They affect not only the basic ability to repair a product but also, through the cost and availability of spare parts, the economic policies for repair.

How do we influence and make these choices?

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