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

Loss of Expertise Abstract Greg and Fred discuss what happens when a company doesn’t have the engineering knowledge, skills, and abilities to design things.  Why?  Companies don’t make commodity stuff any more.  They outsource these items.  The challenge of outsourcing often means outsourcing engineering expertise.  Big problem.  So what are the solutions? Key Points Join […]

Research Options Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the new options for doing technical research, including Google Scholar and AI tools like ChatGPT Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the validity and limitations of using the new tools for technical research. Topics include: ChatGPT sometimes creates fabricated information, but you can evaluate its […]

Vendors and Reliability Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the value or risks of sending failed components to the vendor for failure analysis. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the best way to get accurate failure analysis (FA) of a failed component. Topics include: Component suppliers for high volume devices are typically not […]

Mastering AI and Your Career Abstract Greg and Fred discuss how AI is changing work, careers, and jobs.  Last week, Fiverr CEO warned staff: ‘AI is coming for your jobs, including mine!’  So what  does this really mean for reliability and quality professionals?  And importantly, what can you do about it? Key Points Join Greg […]

How do you rank a reliability engineering book? Amazon and Goole can rank books based on algorithms, numbers, customer reviews and so on. But some books do a magnificent job of explaining the wrong concept. These books can have a great 'ranking' but be useless for you. So how do YOU rank YOUR reliability engineering books?

You can't talk about reliability engineering without talkiing about psychology. Why? Because reliability engineering decisions you make today have consequences, weeks, months, and years from now. So we can prioritize instant gratification (not doing reliability stuff) over future costs and consequences if we want. And that is where psychology comes into play.

Better Risk Management Abstract Greg and Fred discuss risk management tools specifically the advantages and disadvantages of using color -coded risk matrices. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss how risk matrices can be used effectively and graphically to communicate the likelihood and severity of risks.  Risk matrices are inherently not precise and […]

AI and Reliability Planning Abstract Carl and Fred discuss a few ways to use AI during the reliability planning process. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss when and why using AI may be helpful. Topics include: Why having AI great the reliability plan on it’s own is a bad idea. A few […]

System FMEA Abstract Carl and Fred discuss a question from a listener about the scope and procedure for a System FMEA, and what is different from other FMEA types. Key Points Join Carl and Fred talk about the essential elements of applying FMEA to larger systems. Topics include: How early should you do a System […]

Risk Planning Abstract Greg and Fred discuss risk planning and why folks don’t do it.  And, then they wonder what and why something happened. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss the fact we live in a world of uncertainty and risk.  Think fires.  Think tariffs.  Think AI.  What do you do about […]

Phantom Test Results Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss phantom test results in reliability testing. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss phantom test results and the challenges of reliability test methods. Topics include: The importance of root cause analysis for test failures. How test rigs and measurement systems themselves can give false positive […]

Sample Size Considerations Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss sample size considerations for reliability testing. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss sample size considerations, tackling the frequently asked question: “How many samples do I need?”. Topics include: Understanding the trade-offs between desired reliability/confidence levels and the massive sample sizes often req...

Fault trees are very useful ways to visualize the logical relationship between events ... like which combinations of components need to fail for a system to fail, or which potential root causes need to occur for an undesirable event to occur. We tend to teach fault trees to unsuspecting students to solve only one type of problem ... and this is wrong! Want to learn more?

Dismissing Failures Abstract Chris and Fred discuss a common problem of dismissing or ignoring failures, especially when they don’t fit your ‘profile.’ Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss the problems and hazards that arise when a failure occurs and is ignored. This can be tricky, as it can sometimes be hard to […]

Join Enrico and Fred as they discuss the pros, cons, and pitfalls of designing and running a test that has no failures, or does.

Traditional Reliability Methods Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss a question from a listener about why traditional reliability methods don’t work for modern electronics. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss why traditional methods, such as those based on prediction using classical references like Military Handbook 217F don’t work with today’s electronics.. Topics include: […]

Adhesives Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the reliability issues around using adhesives to attach mechanical assemblies. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the use of adhesives and testing the long-term reliability of adhesive bonds. Topics include: Mismatched coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) pose a significant challenge for attaching glass, metals, and polymers. […]

How do you take into consideration the number 'starts and stops' your item goes through during it's life when it comes to characterizing reliability? It's important ... but are there any rules that can help?

It turns out that electric vehicle (EV) batteries appear to be lasting longer than the laboratory tests the manufacturers use suggest they will. Why is this? Has something changed? ... or is there something wrong with the laboratory testing? ... or something else?

How to use data from connected devices for derivation of mission profiles Abstract Enrico and Fred discuss the value of using real-world usage data to define mission profiles, advocating for a shift from deterministic to stochastic approaches. They touch on the impact of environmental conditions, the risk of selection bias in data analysis, and weigh […]

Intermittent failures are failures that come and go. They often leave no physical trace to investigate. So what do you do?

It takes a lot of work (and money) to get a PhD in anything. But is it worth it in the world of reliability engineering? Many reliability engineers are 'self taught' or have completed lower level courses. So ... what's the point?

Long-form Reading Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss long-form reading. Is it in decline? Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss long-form reading. Topics include: the impact of the digital age on our ability to focus. why detailed reports and documentation are essential for engineering and reliability work. the risks of relying on checklists […]

Using RBD Effectively Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss using RBD Effectively. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss using RBD Effectively. Topics include: the key to effectively using reliability block diagrams (RBDs) for new programs. how to start simple with RBDs for team collaboration. how RBDs can be a powerful tool for driving […]

A Good Reliability Engineer Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss a simple question of what being a practical and sound reliability engineer means. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the different aspects of reliability engineering and what they need to be a good reliability engineer Topics include: The results of effective reliability development […]