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

Learning about Failures Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing the idea of listing of failure mechanisms and their different viewpoints on how we learn some of the common failure mechanisms Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the challenge of listing potential failure mechanisms that usually occur when some mistake has been made in […]

Single Use Product Reliability Abstract Dianna and Fred discussing single use product reliability. For products that are used once and then disposed or recycled, do we need to consider and plan for their reliability? The short answer: yes! They talk about the things to consider with single use products. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred […]

Stresses and Mechanism Abstract Dianna and Fred discussing a listener question about understanding stresses and mechanism of failures of a new design. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss a listener question: Is there a listing of all failure mechanisms and their stresses that I can reference? When I’m looking at a product […]

Identify Weak Points Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing how a good reliability development process is to identify the weaknesses to improve a product including a recent fence repair at Kirk’s house. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss how a fence repair specialist identify a weakness in a fence and gate support structure […]

Confirmation Bias Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing the paths they took in Reliability Engineering, how our past experience shaped our view of the best methods for improving the reliability of systems, and how we learn new information on reliability issues. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss their paths to their current frame […]

Failure to Adjust Abstract Greg and Fred discussing why people have a hard time adjusting and pivoting in times of uncertainty, much like what we all experience today. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss why people have a difficult time adjusting to change.  Personal change.   Change in weather.  Or, change in anything. […]

Supply Chain Tradeoffs Abstract Greg and Fred discussing the tradeoffs in reshoring.  Many companies are considering bringing design and manufacturing back to the US or host country. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss reshoring or bringing manufacturing back to the US.  The challenge is the US has lost much of its engineering […]

Accountability is important. Except when you are trying to find 'someone else' who is accountable. Finding someone to blame (so you can hypothetically sue) does not improve or fix the problem. In fact, the fastest and cheapest solutions to many of the problems us reliability engineers routinely face is a multi-disciplinary approach where everyone works together in order to solve the issue. This me...

We can sometimes be frustrated by vendors or suppliers not giving us the reliability data we need to do our 'reliability stuff?' Can we glean something from their advertised warranty period? Can we somehow 'reverse engineer' the underlying warranty reliability if we make some assumptions about the cost of failure and profit margin?

Uniqueness of Reliability Engineers Abstract Philip and Fred discussing a handful of traits that may be unique to reliability engineers. Key Points Join Philip and Fred as they discuss what makes reliability engineering attract ‘particular’ types of people. Topics include: Curiosity with how things fail The ability to deal with and learn from failures The […]

Listing of Failure Mechanisms Abstract Philip and Fred discussing a question about locating a listing of failure mechanisms. Key Points Join Philip and Fred as they discuss a listing of all failure mechanisms that probably doesn’t exist due to sheer magnitude of the number of mechanisms that exist. Topics include: We do not know of a […]

Professional Societies: The Rules Have Changed Abstract Greg and Fred discussing how The Rules Have Changed for Professional Societies as well as for most of us. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss the role of professional societies such as IEEE, ASME, ASQ, and others in the age of social media and fast […]

Quality of Decisions Abstract Greg and Fred discussing how people make important decisions and why decision quality is important. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss Topics include: Why is decision making in reliability important. How to use reliability tools for effective decision making. What are the critical steps in Fred’s new book […]

Storage of Test Parts Abstract Dianna and Fred discussing the effects of handling, cumulative test, and storage of test parts on test results. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss experiences of when testing product went awry because of handling, cumulative test, and storage of test parts. Topics include: identifying the true failure […]

Dianna and Fred discussing the history and application of published parts count prediction models and standards in reliability analysis. 

Metrics and Games Abstract Carl and Fred discussing a listener question on maintenance strategies, and a company mandate metric comparing preventive and corrective maintenance tasks. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss how metrics can become a numbers game if they are used incorrectly. Topics include: Sometimes a metric can alter behavior in […]

The Value of Curiosity Abstract Carl and Fred discussing what brings enjoyment to one’s life and work, and how to explore and learn, with curiosity. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the value of curiosity in our day-to-day work. Topics include: Using what we know in science and engineering to understand problems […]

It is sometimes difficult to express reliability performance to users or customers. It is all well and good to say that something has a 97.8 % reliability at three years when driven in certain conditions. But different customers will create different conditions. So this number is often irrelevant. How do we give our customers and users a 'reliability score' that means something but isn't just made...

Many engineering disciplines require statistical analysis. Which means we need to use definitions and concepts ... like 'tolerance,' 'confidence' and 'prediction' intervals. But do we? Do these definitions only help statisticians? Or do they help you in your job? Listen to this podcast to learn more.

MEOST Setup Remotely Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing Multiple Environmental Over Stress Test or MEOST. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the term MEOST and how it is very similar to HALT in the use of stress to find latent defects or weaknesses. Topics include: Gregg Hobbs was very possessive of the […]

Reliability Spooky Stories Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing  and reflecting on some of the spooky reliability problems we have seen (or not seen) that sometimes have haunted us on this  Halloween 2022 episode of SOR Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss Topics include: Fred recalls a meeting that many engineers shared scary […]

Risk and Supply Chain Abstract Greg and Fred discussing supply chain risk management. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss current practices and risk in supply chain management. Topics include: Just in Time may become Just in Case risk management. How to mitigate supply chain inventory risks. Current challenges in supply chain manufacturing. What’s […]

Decision Making in Reliability Abstract Greg and Fred discussing the importance of decision making in quality, reliability, and work in general. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss Topics include: Importance of decision making in reliability. Types of decisions in quality and reliability and life. Discussion on types of reliability decision making starting […]

What happens when you (perhaps for the first time) realize that the MTBF is not reliability ... but you work in an organization or industry that appears to worship it? What can you do?

We are often given the option of 'deferring' maintenance. This usually happens when our budget and schedule tells us we have to ... and we then tie ourselves in knots trying to convince ourselves that this is OK and that laws of physics will also be deferred. Really?