Your Reliability Engineering Professional Development Site
A listing in reverse chronological order of articles by:
When it is necessary to check 100% of parts for one or more characteristic?
There are situations where 100% of manufactured parts are checked. These include visual inspection, measurements of a part characteristic, and a reaction to low process capability. These may be accomplished manually or an automated process.
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What people need are practical business solutions. They do not need science projects – or efforts only for the sake of learning. [Read more…]
FMEA teams should agree to the ground rules that guide the analysis and the underlying assumptions that impact the entire FMEA. Failure to do so will add complexity and confusion to the resulting FMEA, and waste people’s time. Don’t miss this important step in FMEA preparation.
“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won’t come in.” Isaac Asimov
In sports, the mantra of “Respect all but fear none” is used by many coaches. This same philosophy is appropriate for New Product Development. Respect the design or process – nothing is simple. Yet, do not fear new things. A healthy respect for trying new things. This is how we coach and how we consult! [Read more…]
Many companies use SPC to control their manufacturing and assembly processes. Other companies use 100% inspection and some companies do nothing. How can one choose between these three alternatives?
To make a rational choice, some questions need to be answered.
We provide business solutions. How can we prove it? This video provides the basis for our experiences with results. [Read more…]
Often times DOE is considered a manufacturing tool. However, it can be used upstream during R&D and Operational Qualification (OQ) activities. There is much more leverage in this situation. A case study is provided from a client organization to bring the principles to life. This video is the slides and audio recording of the presentation at MDM Minneapolis, October 28, 2013. [Read more…]
In my prior article, the assumptions behind SPC were discussed in detail except for the analysis. There are two types data that may be analyzed, Counts and Measurement variables. This article focuses on normally distributed measurement variables, and the construction and usage of $-\bar{X}-$ and R charts.
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We are often hearing about the shortage of skilled workers. Why is this? What can you do to address it? We believe there are a few reasons for it and we can help you overcome them. This can help you achieve a cost effective competitive advantage. [Read more…]
There are many benefits from acquiring our services. But what if you do not bring us in? This anti-case study describes a situation where they wanted to wait. The impacts came from discussions with company employees after the changes. Can you really afford to wait? [Read more…]
Before commencing with the FMEA meetings, it is essential to visibly show the nature and scope of the analysis. This article discusses different ways FMEA scope can be made visible, and why this is a necessary step.
“The soul cannot think without a picture” – Aristotle
Statistical Process Controls (SPC) is a suite of methods that can be employed to control a manufacturing or assembly process. It has a wide range of potential applications ranging from consumer products to defense. It can be employed at the lowest element of component manufacturing or an assembly operation.
This article discusses the assumptions necessary to understand SPC.
Many times, new equipment does not move smoothly onto the production floor. Eventually, operations will say “just get it out here.” Using our methodology, we have helped companies be in a position where they are telling us to wait to install it! When you can understand the equipment up front, it makes a huge impact. How do you fit on the spectrum? [Read more…]
Quality Costs for manufacturing or services can be categorized as prevention and appraisal costs, and internal and external failure costs. Control occur in prevention and appraisal activities, both of which rely on data. However, when data is collected, it shows variation. One must understand variation to know how to react.
Dr. Deming indicated that 94% of variation is from common causes and about 6% is from special causes. So what are the common and special causes of variation?
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While a potentially useful technique, Risk management is often an unwanted obligation. Done well, it can prevent field failures and gain needed resources. Does your project or organization get this value? Or do you only experience the pain? [Read more…]