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

Fast vs Thorough Abstract Carl and Fred discussing the need to be fast in smaller or startup companies. Reliability engineering can adapt to a fast culture and support lean product development, without compromising essential tasks. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the product development process in small companies, balancing the need to […]

Software packages and textbook methods can often give us a single 'number' that tells us how good a potential model is (or not) for the data we get from observing a process. But ... you need to understand that this is by no means a 'perfect' way of trying to understand your process. Relying on software to think for you means that you don't understand what is going on. And that means your analysis...

We often try and 'engineer' reliable solutions. We find technological solutions to as many failures as possible. But it can only go so far - mainly because there is usually a human involved in most systems.

Problem Solving with Customer Service Abstract Dianna and Fred discussing customer service: personal and professional experiences. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss problem solving with customer service. Topics include: partnering with a customer service agent when you’re the customer coordinating with the customer service department when you’re an engineer at the same [&...

Encouraging New Engineers Abstract Dianna and Fred discussing why and how to encourage new engineers and foster younger generations to consider engineering as a profession. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss how to get new generations involved in engineering. Topics include: Getting active in youth programs. Fostering curiosity by letting others do […]

Dealing with Suppliers Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing dealing with suppliers in dealing with failures in complex interconnected systems. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the many different responses and challenges that different subsystem suppliers can have when trying to get their help with a reliability issue. Topics include: Much of a […]

Talking about HALT Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing a basic subject that Kirk has been speaking about for over three decades, Highly Accelerated Life Testing (HALT) and carrying the ideas of Gregg Hobbs, Ph. D. who termed the acronym and methodology Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss a subject that is a new […]

Reliability engineers need to deal with 'incomplete data.' Incomplete data is not bad. It is common. So we need to get used to dealing with. So what is 'incomplete data' and how do we use it?

We all want something to be safe. But what does it mean to be 'safe?' The safest thing you can do is ... nothing! Just stay in bed and you are less likely to be murdered, killed in a car crash et cetera. But this doesn't really work. So again ... what does it mean to be 'safe?'

Fitting into a Risk Program Abstract Greg and Fred discussing how risk assessment must be tailored to the context of the organization. Key Points Join Fred and Greg as they discuss how risk management is becoming essential knowledge, skills, and abilities for all quality and reliability professionals. Topics include: How risk assessment should be tailored […]

Risk Assessments Abstract Greg and Fred discussing how and why to conduct risk assessments. Key Points Join Fred and Greg as they discuss risk assessments. ISO defines a risk assessment as: 1. Risk identification; 2. Risk analysis and 3. Risk evaluation. Risk assessments must be tailored to the context and organization level. Focus the risk […]

What Software Are You Using? Abstract Dianna and Fred discussing software tools used by reliability engineers: the good, the bad, and pitfalls. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss software tools used by reliability engineers. Topics include: Different suites of software that they’ve used in the past and what they’re using today. Assumptions […]

Catching Up with Questions Abstract Carl and Fred summarizing and discussing the latest questions received from readers and listeners. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss questions relating to FMEA detection, FMEA scope, and other questions. Topics include: FMEA detection methods and ratings Two types of Detection: detection during product development and detection […]

Bringing Back Old Plant Equipment Abstract Carl and Fred discussing a listener question about the use of FMEA when ramping up equipment in a plant. In this case, the equipment had been sitting dormant for a number of years. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss which specific methods would be most useful […]

The Best Reliability Training Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing their views on how to best learn the discipline of reliability engineering. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the ways to learn about reliability and improving Topics include: The best way to learn reliability engineering is to understand why products fail in the […]

Decisions and Safety Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing whether to ship a product that may or may not be safe and reliable. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss recent medical equipment failures and the potential risks and whose responsibility it is. Topics include: Risks of component failures, such as MLCC (Mult-layer Ceramic […]

What is the 'hierarchy' of reliability engineering? What things do you start to learn to become a reliability engineer? Perhaps you need to develop your personal vision or identity ...

The terms 'confidence' and 'intervals' are used in reliability engineering ... a lot! But do you know what they mean? And can they help?

Celebrating Reliability Success Abstract Carl and Fred discussing a listener question about when it is OK to celebrate reliability successes. Specifically, how long you have to wait to feel comfortable you have a successful product when nothing bad happens. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the criteria for successful field programs, including […]

Do You Need a Degree in Reliability Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing higher education and the importance of a college degree in reliability for a career in reliability engineering. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss their road to having a career in reliability engineering. Topics include: There are excellent engineers that are […]

Reliability Program vs Reality Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing failures in products after launch and the importance of  and knowing how the customers use conditions. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss finding failures in the lab and the some of their experiences with finding design errors during testing. Topics include: Finding a […]

Reliability growth is a term used a lot in the reliability industry. It tends to refer to activities where we build prototypes, test them, and fix all the issues we find. But there is more to it than this.

Systems and reliability engineers often 'work' together. But how? As with many engineering disciplines, there is scope for overlap and conflict. Do you know what one does? ... that the other doesn't?

Reliability and Quality Abstract Dianna and Fred discussing differences and similarities between quality and reliability. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss the differences and similarities between quality and reliability functions in an organization. Topics include: different views organizations have about quality and reliability functions quality and reliability practitioners’...

What is Working in Quality Abstract Dianna and Fred discussing the role of Quality and quality professionals in an organization. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss Quality in organizations. Topics include: organizational structure of Quality the Hollywood stereotypes of the quality profession compared to the real world Quality’s role as an independent […]