Speaking Of Reliability: Friends Discussing Reliability Engineering Topics | Warranty | Plant Maintenance

Always complaining about your organization not being aware of reliability engineering? The reality is, we make ourselves aware of what we want to be aware of. So the trick is to motivate people. The most 'aware' person in the world won't use that awareness if he or she has no motivation to do it.

Ever heard of MIL-HDBK 217F? It is a document that contains lots of failure rate estimates for classes of electronic components ... compiled in 1991. Based on data provided by a small number of companies. With the gaps filled in by military data dating decades before that. And some people want to base reliability estimates on applying these failure rates to the smartphones, guided weapons navigati...

Using DFR Tools Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss using Design for Reliability (DFR) for reliability development of a new product. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the use of DFx, being design for tests, design for manufacturing and design for reliability and the basics of good designs. Topics include: There are many […]

Using Outside Labs Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the use and tradeoffs of using external environmental testing and failure analysis labs versus having in-house equipment Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the advantages and drawbacks of a independent test and or failure analysis lab, versus stetting up an internal lab. Topics include: […]

Dealing with Data Abstract Philip and Fred discuss the first basic steps when confronted with a pile of data. What do you do with a stack of data – can you make any sense of this – please? Can you believe the analysis results? Designing systems to capture the data you need, not the data […]

We often focus on the components and subsystems of our product when it comes to system reliability modeling. But what about consumables? The batteries, lubricants, gaskets and other things that we are going to routinely replace to keep our product going. Do we need to think about these when it comes to system reliability analysis? Hint ... yes you do.

Assumptions and Analysis Abstract Philip and Fred discuss a fundamental element of all statistical analysis. Key Points Join Philip and Fred as they discuss Topics include: Every analysis or model has assumptions – understand them first Check the assumptions Assumptions are not true because we wish they were Enjoy an episode of Speaking of Reliability. […]

Why is Reliability a Process? Abstract Carl and Fred discuss the process of reliability, which also happens to be the name of their new book. They answer the question “why is reliability a process”? and discuss what happens if reliability is only approached as a series of methods. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as […]

How Root is the Cause? Abstract Carl and Fred discuss the broad subject of identifying root causes and how deep to go.  It’s not as simple as getting to the “root.” Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they share experiences in root cause analysis and how it is applied in various reliability engineering methods. […]

Environmental Testing Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the question of using a standard series of environmental test for reliability development. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss standard environmental test suites such as MIL-STD 810 which describe many environmental tests that can be applied depending on the end-use conditions. Topics include: Many of […]

A HALT Plan Question Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss a test plan sent to Kirk and how this plan misses the point of accelerated testing. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the fact that many of are labeled by the book titles they have written and yet we know many other important […]

Good Reliability Requirements Abstract Carl and Fred discuss the essence of well-written reliability requirements. They are much more than reliability numbers. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss how to ensure reliability requirements are proper and adequate. This builds from the definition of reliability. Topics include: What are the four key elements of […]

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, […]

Learning What You Don’t Know Abstract Greg and Fred discuss keeping up professionally, which is a requirement these days to continue to be marketable. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss three types of reliability engineers: 1. Those to whom something happens; 2. Those who wonder what or why something happened; and 3. […]

Good is Often Good Enough Abstract Greg and Fred discuss form vs. function decision making. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss various elements of form vs. function decision making.  Greg and Fred are engineers, who lean towards function, which is often good is good enough.  Others may lean towards form. Topics include: […]

We are often told that a customer needs us to use MIL-HDBK 217F to model our reliability. Do you even know what this is? Or what it means for your reliability number? If you don't ... listen to this podcast!

Inspiring New STEM Students Abstract Greg and Dianna discussing how to get involved in inspiring new STEM students. Key Points Join Greg and Dianna as they discuss inspiring new STEM students. How do we get new people interested in STEM? Topics include: Mentoring, being an example, getting them engaged The allure of the engineering decision-making […]

ERM and Reliability Engineers Abstract Dianna and Greg discussing ERM and Reliability Engineers, along with the AI revolution and the current state of quality. Key Points Join Dianna and Greg as they discuss how ERM (enterprise risk management) and reliability engineers relate. Topics include: The history of ERM and its current state. Quality decision-making needs […]

Creating a Culture of Innovation with Quality and Reliability Abstract Dianna and Carl discussing creating a culture of innovation with Quality and Reliability. Key Points Join Dianna and Carl as they discuss creating a culture of innovation with Quality and Reliability. Topics include: The innovation continuum, from company culture to individual interactions How to foster […]

Quality and Reliability Management: Independence vs. Integration Abstract Carl and Dianna sharing experiences with different forms of managing quality and reliability activities. The importance of independence was compared to the importance of integrating with the design activities. What works, what doesn’t work, and why? Key Points Join Carl and Dianna as they discuss different ways [&#8230...

Product Reliability in Complex Supply Chains Abstract Dianna and Chris discussing product reliability in complex supply chains. Key Points Join Dianna and Chris as they discuss product reliability in complex supply chains. Topics include: manufacturers using components used outside of their original purpose relationships between manufacturers and suppliers supplier management cell phones, space pr...

If you aren't thinking about things like carbon footprints and sustainability, you are not going to be around for much longer. Can reliability engineering help in this regard? Reliability engineering can be used for all sorts of characteristics like usability, modularity, adaptability, and so on. What about sustainability

Reliability engineering training is a very important part of organizational reliability maturity. But there is a lot of good training, bad training, and lots of stuff in between. Are we going in the right direction? What do you think?

Where are FMEAs (and their standards) Heading? Abstract Carl and Chris discussing the future of FMEA, sharing their vision for where this method is headed. Key Points Where are FMEAs (and their standards) Heading? Abstract Carl and Chris discussing the future of FMEA, sharing their vision for where FMEA as a method is headed, as […]

Last Minutism Abstract Greg and Fred discussing why do folks wait to the last minute to get important things done.  We go beyond procrastination to understand the basics of last minutism. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss practical tips and tools to avoid last minutism. Topics include: What is last minutism behavior? […]