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

Making the right decision means you need to understand 'value.' And different organizations have different definitions of value. It can't just be 'money' ... otherwise the right decision (every time) is to sell everything you have right now to make the most of this concept of 'value' as quickly as possible. So how does 'value' help you make better decisions - especially when it comes to reliabilit...

What is Accelerated Life Testing (ALT), and how many products or prototypes do you need to test to make it work? ... but first ... what is ALT supposed to do?

We use the term 'sedentary inertia' to describe organizations that struggle to change ... mainly because they are used to never having to change. Especially in the world of quality. Which in many cases, feels like it is stuck in prehistoric times. Sound familiar?

Two Sides of a Coin: Quality and Reliability Abstract Dianna and Chris discussing their different viewpoints of quality and reliability: how they are really two sides of a coin that are supported by the culture of an organization and by individual contributors. Key Points Join Dianna and Chris as they discuss two sides of a […]

Monitoring Manufacturing Product Reliability Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing how to ensure that the quality and reliability of the last units produced from a manufacturing line is the same as the first units produced. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the fundamental concern of any manufacturing operation, sustaining quality throughout the manufacturing […]

Issues with Single Stress Testing Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing a question from a listener regarding a specific failure mechanism and time to failure for the same, and how most failures are not due to a single stress condition. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss a solder crack and the forces that […]

What do you do if you feel like you are stuck in a job? This often happens for reliability engineers when they work in an organization that defines what you can and can't do. What happens if this sounds like you.

The annual Reliability and Maintainability Symposium (RAMS) used to be one of the 'flagship' gatherings of reliability talent. But after the 2023 version ... can we still say that it is?

Routine Reliability Abstract Dianna and Fred discussing routine reliability from a listener’s question: when creating a reliability plan for a project, how do we separate the routine and unique parts of reliability activities? Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss reliability planning: the technique and frameworks used to achieve reliability objectives. Topics include: […]

Hidden Reliability Wins Abstract Dianna and Fred discussing hidden reliability wins: when reliability efforts go right, things don’t go wrong. So then, how can reliability engineers quantify their work? Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss hidden reliability wins. To quantify reliability engineering work, we need to do some due diligence and shine […]

Working on the Right Things Abstract Philip and Fred discussing what should reliability engineers be working on that are the right things. Key Points Join Philip and Fred as they discuss Topics include: Do certifications provide a basis for what adds the most value? Dealing with reliability is the culture, not the presence of reliability […]

Expectations Abstract Philip and Fred discussing how setting expectations impact reliability engineering tasks and results. Key Points Join Philip and Fred as they discuss Topics include: The set of written and unwritten expectations for your role as a reliability engineer. The different set of expectations when reacting to problems or proactively avoiding them. Dealing with […]

The regulators are here to keep us 'safe.' Awesome! But they need to be the adults in the room. And by that, we mean motivating good behaviors in the people who make stuff. If the regulators simply turn into people who are looking for reasons to say 'no,' then we have a problem. They are not the adults we need anymore.

What is the first thing you do when someone gives you a chunk of data? There are many examples of people rushing to analyze 'something' ... and then realizing they don't help change anything.

Basic Risk Management Abstract Greg and Fred discussing how to set up a risk assessment program. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss how to start risk analysis.  Topics include: How to start a risk program in a project or process in terms of looking at variation. How SPC, FMEA, and other quality […]

Checking Assumptions Abstract Greg and Fred discussing how assumptions in reliability and quality engineering are highly critical.  We all know what assume can stand for:  make an ‘ass of u and me.’ Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss how assumptions are a form of bias that needs to be understood and mitigated […]

Backup Balance Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing how much we should invest in backup power or  systems redundancy to prepare for rare weather or use conditions. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss how much money do we need to spend to have backup systems or increasing the strength or robustness of systems […]

Role of Technical Papers Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing technical papers, which Fred and Kirk have a few on the website Research Gate, and the role they play in the reliability engineering world. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the papers and books on reliability engineering, Research Gate, and the use of […]

Reliability Assumptions Abstract Carl and Fred discussing the broad subject of assumptions, and how they impact reliability analysis and applications. When are assumptions good and when are they questionable? Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss how to evaluate the efficacy of assumptions that are used in reliability programs or analyses. Topics include: […]

FMEA Occurrence Question Abstract Carl and Fred discussing a question received by an Inside FMEA reader on the subject of FMEA occurrence rating. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss assessing the occurrence rating in an FMEA, and the various applications and methodologies. Topics include: Why is occurrence part of FMEA? The efficacy […]

What happens if you need to understand the reliability of something, but that something is brand new, has new technology, is being manufactured by a new facility, or all of the above? It can be, and has been done successfully in the past. So how do you do it?

Let's say you are going to do this thing called Ongoing Reliability Testing (ORT). Can we accelerate failure by increasing temperature? Should we test to failure to find the MTTF? What is ORT? What is MTTF? What are we trying to do? Listen to this podcast to learn more.

Dealing With Product Characteristics Abstract Dianna and Fred discussing engineering projects and dealing with product characteristics and requirements. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss a listener’s question about dealing with product characteristics. Topics include: How Reliability Engineers can help with requirements by asking questions and giving feedback. Ways to evaluate...

New Ways to Break Things Abstract Dianna and Fred discussing new innovations from a reliability point-of-view: how is this new stuff going to break? What are going to be the new ways to break things? Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss up-and-coming, new technologies and what that means for the reliability profession. […]

Cultural and societal change is continuous. And so is complaining about it. Leadership is constantly telling us what we can do and what we can't. Which is unfortunate. Because leadership needs to be focused on a specific idea. If leadership is all about complaining about millennials, generation Z, people working from home, young people wanting to be part of decision-making and so on ... you are in...