The Reliability FM network

Equations for Goal Setting Abstract Chris and Fred discuss what equations (if any) exist for setting and optimizing reliability goals … sometimes trading off against other goals. Wo … Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss equations that exist to help you come up with and optimize reliability goals and targets. This comes […]

perhaps you want to estimate the reliability of something that is supposed to last a long time, but don’t have a lot of time to test.

Customer Requirements Abstract Chris and Fred discuss customer requirements when it comes to reliability. How do we get this wrong? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss requirements … not just yours … when it comes to reliability. What can go wrong? Topics include: MTBF and other wrong metrics. People love the MTBF […]

Bearing Failure and Analysis Abstract Chris and Fred discuss how bearings fail. Bearings are among the most common components used in products and systems. So, how do they go wrong? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss how bearings fail, in response to a question from one of our listeners whose organization has […]

Decisions and Metrics Abstract Greg and Fred discuss the importance of key metrics, whether KPI’s or OKR’s, to determine the quality of decision making. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss decision making, metrics, and objectives.  What works?  What doesn’t?  And, how to develop better operational measures.  Topics include: How organizations track performance? […]

Communicating Complex Topics Abstract Enrico and Fred discuss a few approaches that may be effective when communication complex topics to others. Key Points Join Enrico and Fred as they discuss the need for many engineers to improve their ability to communicate effectively. Topics include: Engineers with other Engineers – or engineers with the many others […]

Explore the framework to assess equipment reliability for air fin coolers and ensure operational excellence in process plants.

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 […]

Ever heard of the MTBF? A lot of people have. But not many people (truly) understand what it is.

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 […]

Let’s explore why derating is important, the difference it can make, and a few methods to implement derating with your design team.

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?

Weibull probability plotting is perhaps the most widespread data analysis tool used in reliability and quality engineering.

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.