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

Regulation Reducing Safety Abstract Greg and Fred discuss conformity assessment and what should and can you do to comply with a regulatory requirement. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss safety regulations and compliance to standards. Topics include: What is conformity assessment? Why is conformity assessment important? How can you demonstrate compliance? What […]

Improving Information Abstract Greg and Fred discuss how to improve your ability to get the right information to solve the right problems. Key Points Join Fred and Greg as they discuss how to focus on the right information if you’re doing an analysis, surveillance, or audit. Topics include: Do you ask the right questions to […]

You might have heard of Monte Carlo simulation. This might sound advanced, or challenging, or beyond your skills. It's not! In fact, Monte Carlo simulation can do a really good job of modeling really, really complex things really easily. Want to learn more? Listen to this podcast.

We are often pestered into 'measuring' reliability before we start 'improving' reliability. Measuring can be important ... but it is only important if it will help you make a decision. So, start with understanding the decision you are trying to inform.

Lifespan of an FMEA Abstract Carl and Fred discuss a reader question about what is called a “living FMEA.” Is this a good idea? How is it done? Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss whether to update FMEAs with test and field information on an ongoing basis. Topics include: An updated FMEA […]

RCM and FMEAs Abstract Carl and Fred discuss a reader question on FMEAs that involve maintenance. Specifically, can a Design FMEA have causes that are maintenance related? Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss Reliability Centered Maintenance, and the role that FMEA plays in doing RCM projects. Topics include: RCM includes an FMEA […]

Details and Plans Abstract Greg and Fred discuss why and how the triple constraints of a project: schedule, cost, and scope variances result in risks that can result in project failure. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss schedule risk, cost risk, and scope risk.  Topics include: What are schedule, cost, and scope risks? […]

Plug and Pray Abstract Greg and Fred discuss why engineers plug numbers into a formula not really knowing why or what they are doing.  At best, this is called ‘plug and play.’  At worst, this is called ‘plug and pray’ the formula works. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss the challenges of […]

Bad History Challenge Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss how to deal with those who have said that they tried using the HALT methodology with a past project but did not find any benefit from it. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the situation where a we are trying to introduce a new […]

Cycles or Time Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss whether we should use time or number of cycles or total time a product has been available for use. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss a question from a listener on whether it’s better to use time or cycles as a reliability metric. Topics […]

Always complaining about your organization not being aware of reliability engineering? The reality is, we make ourselves aware of what we want to be aware of. So the trick is to motivate people. The most 'aware' person in the world won't use that awareness if he or she has no motivation to do it.

Ever heard of MIL-HDBK 217F? It is a document that contains lots of failure rate estimates for classes of electronic components ... compiled in 1991. Based on data provided by a small number of companies. With the gaps filled in by military data dating decades before that. And some people want to base reliability estimates on applying these failure rates to the smartphones, guided weapons navigati...

Using DFR Tools Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss using Design for Reliability (DFR) for reliability development of a new product. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the use of DFx, being design for tests, design for manufacturing and design for reliability and the basics of good designs. Topics include: There are many […]

Using Outside Labs Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the use and tradeoffs of using external environmental testing and failure analysis labs versus having in-house equipment Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the advantages and drawbacks of a independent test and or failure analysis lab, versus stetting up an internal lab. Topics include: […]

Dealing with Data Abstract Philip and Fred discuss the first basic steps when confronted with a pile of data. What do you do with a stack of data – can you make any sense of this – please? Can you believe the analysis results? Designing systems to capture the data you need, not the data […]

We often focus on the components and subsystems of our product when it comes to system reliability modeling. But what about consumables? The batteries, lubricants, gaskets and other things that we are going to routinely replace to keep our product going. Do we need to think about these when it comes to system reliability analysis? Hint ... yes you do.

Assumptions and Analysis Abstract Philip and Fred discuss a fundamental element of all statistical analysis. Key Points Join Philip and Fred as they discuss Topics include: Every analysis or model has assumptions – understand them first Check the assumptions Assumptions are not true because we wish they were Enjoy an episode of Speaking of Reliability. […]

Why is Reliability a Process? Abstract Carl and Fred discuss the process of reliability, which also happens to be the name of their new book. They answer the question “why is reliability a process”? and discuss what happens if reliability is only approached as a series of methods. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as […]

How Root is the Cause? Abstract Carl and Fred discuss the broad subject of identifying root causes and how deep to go.  It’s not as simple as getting to the “root.” Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they share experiences in root cause analysis and how it is applied in various reliability engineering methods. […]

Environmental Testing Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the question of using a standard series of environmental test for reliability development. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss standard environmental test suites such as MIL-STD 810 which describe many environmental tests that can be applied depending on the end-use conditions. Topics include: Many of […]

A HALT Plan Question Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss a test plan sent to Kirk and how this plan misses the point of accelerated testing. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the fact that many of are labeled by the book titles they have written and yet we know many other important […]

Good Reliability Requirements Abstract Carl and Fred discuss the essence of well-written reliability requirements. They are much more than reliability numbers. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss how to ensure reliability requirements are proper and adequate. This builds from the definition of reliability. Topics include: What are the four key elements of […]

Common FMEA Confusions Abstract Carl and Fred discuss common FMEA confusions that come up from time to time. These are condensed from questions that Carl gets from “Inside FMEA” readers. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss common FMEA misunderstandings, and how to simplify the concepts. Topics include: Is it a Failure Mode, […]

Learning What You Don’t Know Abstract Greg and Fred discuss keeping up professionally, which is a requirement these days to continue to be marketable. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss three types of reliability engineers: 1. Those to whom something happens; 2. Those who wonder what or why something happened; and 3. […]

Good is Often Good Enough Abstract Greg and Fred discuss form vs. function decision making. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss various elements of form vs. function decision making.  Greg and Fred are engineers, who lean towards function, which is often good is good enough.  Others may lean towards form. Topics include: […]