Common FMEA Confusions

Abstract

Carl and Fred discuss common FMEA confusions that come up from time to time. These are condensed from questions that Carl gets from “Inside FMEA” readers.

Key Points

Join Carl and Fred as they discuss common FMEA misunderstandings, and how to simplify the concepts.

Topics include:

• Is it a Failure Mode, Effect of Cause? What’s the difference, and how can you be sure?
• Is a certain word automatically a Failure Mode, Effect or Cause?
• The answer depends on the context within the FMEA. Always begin with the Item and Function.
• Bucket example . . .
• Is a “leak” a Failure Mode, Effect of Cause? The answer is that it can be any of those elements.
• What is difference between Cause and Failure Mechanism?
• For high-risk issues, always take to root cause and failure mechanism.
• Brainstorming Failure Modes; do you have to enter all of them into the FMEA worksheet?
• Simple rule for what to enter in the FMEA worksheet, and what can be left out.
• Every person on a design team, and an FMEA team, has potential for blind spots.
• How to ensure the FMEA is not hindered by blind spots.
• Application of thought-starter questions to stimulate FMEA team discussion and bypass confusions.
• If you are having a problem with one part of an FMEA, go earlier. It usually means an earlier part of the FMEA was not we3ll defined.
• Stay focused on fundamentals. The value is often in the discussion.

Enjoy an episode of Speaking of Reliability. Where you can join friends as they discuss reliability topics. Join us as we discuss topics ranging from design for reliability techniques to field data analysis approaches.

SOR 903 Common FMEA ConfusionsCarl S. Carlson

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