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

Reliability Expectations Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing how we continue to evolve our reliability expectations  as technology becomes more robust and reliable. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the progress of expectations of reliability in cars, and electronics, have become more reliable. Topics include: Sensors, like tire pressure monitors on each tire […]

We need information to make decisions. And when our decisions involve random processes ... information can become a little problematic. Sometimes we are forced to take measurements of different outcomes of a random process. We call these 'samples.' You may have done something like this in high school when you measured the heights of your fellow students to plot a histogram to get some idea of the...

Accelerated testing is great in that you can compress a lot of 'real-life' use in a short amount of test time. But if you want to use this accelerated test data to learn about reliability in 'real-life' conditions, then you need to really know what you are doing. Keen to learn more? Listen to this podcast!

Reliability engineering is full of 'deterministic' and 'probabilistic' models ... and combinations of each. Do you know what these words mean? Do you want to know how they can help you make better reliability engineering decisions? Listen to this podcast!

We are often faced with scenarios where we need to do training. It might be that time of the year. It might be a business need. But before you go hunting for failure, ask yourself 'why' you are doing it. 'What' you are trying to achieve.

Standards and Regulations Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing the role and relationship of meeting standards and making a reliable product. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss how passing standard test requirements doesn’t mean you have made a reliable product. Topics include: Standards are very critical to have useful interfaces such as IEEE […]

Dealing with Failures that Destroy Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing the challenge of understanding the root cause of failures for products that are hard to retrieve from the field or have other reasons that make failure analysis almost impossible. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss different situations and conditions where the products […]

Maintenance FMEAs Abstract Carl and Fred discussing the application of FMEAs in support of asset maintenance. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the subject of FMEAs and Maintenance; and difference between FMEAs done in support of product development (Design FMEAs) and FMEAs done in support of maintenance or Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) […]

What Price Reliability? Abstract Carl and Fred discussing the reliability of the Texas electric grid debacle, and what can be learned from a reliability point of view. Lessons learned from this problem can be applied to other industries. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the cost of reliability in the electric grid. […]

Becoming a reliability engineering consultant can be a really rewarding career. It may be for you. It may not. If you have any questions, please listen to this podcast.

Setting reliability requirements for your system can be really challenging. But it is still something you need to come up with for your own organization's unique needs. This podcast can't give you the answer, but it might be able to help you work out where you need to get to an answer that works for you.

Ready to Teach Reliability Abstract Philip and Fred discussing the general need to be able to teach reliability all the time. Key Points Join Philip and Fred as they discuss teaching reliability at all levels from the short explanations, to presentations, and via courses. Topics include: Be prepared so the learning experience works for the […]

How Much Do You Need to Know About Reliability? Abstract Philip and Fred discussing the journey of learning reliability engineering. Key Points Join Philip and Fred as they discuss the need to know enough to solve problems and to know when you do not know enough. Topics include: The need to learn a little bit […]

Electrical Power Reliability in Texas Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing the failures of the electrical grid due to a extreme cold and snow in Texas that was a very rare weather condition in February 2021. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the failure of the Texas electrical grid in Texas this past […]

ALT Samples and HALT Limits Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing two questions from a listener on HALT and ALT. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss two common questions regarding ALT (Accelerated Life Testing) which is to quantify a component or systems time to wear out failure and when do you stop improving […]

Backward Blueprinting to Drive Building a Plan Abstract Philip and Fred discussing the idea of getting clear around what you want to have when working on reliability within a product, system, or program. Key Points Join Philip and Fred as they discuss the benefits of understanding the desired outcome of accomplishing a reliability plan. Topics […]

The Need for Proper Reliability Plan Abstract Philip and Fred discussing the difference between a reliability plan and reliability testing. Key Points Join Philip and Fred as they discuss a few fundamentals around creating a reliability plan that adds value. Topics include: Who is going to use the results of each specific tasks? Start with […]

There are many (so-called) reliability engineering courses out there that can perhaps help you further your career. But which one should you do? Listen to this podcast to learn more!

How doe reliability engineering relate with probability and statistics? If you read a reliability engineering textbook or complete a reliability engineering course, you would think that the only thing reliability engineers do is probability and statistics. But reliability engineering happens at the point of decision. Which may or may not be influenced by a statistical analysis. Want to learn more?...

What to Do to Avoid Outdated Methods Abstract This is part two of a discussion Kirk and Fred have over a recent ASQ newsletter with CRE (Certified Reliability Engineer) test sample questions at the end. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss what to do about the perpetuation of many of the misleading […]

Why Do We Use Outdated Methods Abstract This is the first part of two podcast that Kirk and Fred have on a recent ASQ Newsletter with sample CRE (Certified Reliability Engineer) test questions at the end and how outdated and for Kirk how it is perpetuating irrelevant and misleading reliability paradigms Key Points Join Kirk […]

Reliability engineering textbooks are full of things that look technical and valuable, but are typically based on outdated concepts and approaches. And this continues to be reinforced by much of the reliability engineering industry to this day. Want to learn more? Check out this podcast.

HALT & Activation Energy Abstract Carl and Fred discussing a listener-submitted topic about highly accelerated life testing. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the difference between ALT and HALT, what models can be used, and the limitations. Topics include: HALT is intended to find product weaknesses, not a life test HALT will […]

Selecting Tools for a Plan Abstract Carl and Fred discussing how to select the tools that will be used in reliability plans. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss what makes for good reliability plans. Topics include: Wrong way: selecting the tools that you have always used, merely because they have been used […]

The Dangers of Group Think Abstract Carl and Fred discussing the dynamics of teams, how they work, and what can go wrong. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the dangers of “group think” when working with teams. Topics include: What is “group think”? If everyone agrees with an idea, maybe somebody is […]