The Reliability FM network

Reliability Tradeoffs Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the tradeoffs involved in developing a reliable product. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss how, during product development, we have to limit the amount of robustness we can achieve so that it is on schedule and cost-competitive. Topics include: HALT is to find weaknesses in […]

Service Life Requirements Abstract Enrico and Fred discuss one of the most critical questions in reliability engineering. Key Points Join Enrico and Fred in an engaging discussion on one of the most critical questions in reliability engineering: How long should a product last? In this episode, we dive into the factors that shape reliability targets, […]

Getting it Right Abstract Philip and Fred discuss the value of precision maintenance. Key Points Join Philip and Fred as they discuss the need to purchase, install, and maintain equipment with precision. Topics include: A mindset to get it right and enjoy the benefits Alignment as an example Rotating equipment benefits significantly with ‘getting it […]

Understand the lognormal distribution and its correlation to the bell curve. Harness this understanding to make crucial decisions.

Competing Risk or Not Abstract Philip and Fred discuss the considerations when the dataset does not have competing risks. Key Points Join Philip and Fred as they discuss the difference in data analysis and results when the dataset does or does not have competing risks of failure. Topics include: What are competing risks? The extreme […]

FMEA and AI Abstract Carl and Fred discuss Failure Mode and Effects Analysis and Artificial Intelligence. There are emerging integration opportunities and challenges, which will be discussed in this podcast. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the opportunities and pitfalls to incorporating AI techniques with FMEA. Topics include: Discussion of Automated FMEA versus […]

NUDD Abstract Carl and Fred discuss an interesting question from an Accendo listener. The question has to do with what is called NUDD: New, Unique, Difficult, Different. Specifically the listener’s management wanted to know if their NUDD process could replace FMEA. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they deep dive into NUDD and FMEA. […]

Defined Environment Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss that customers may use their products, such as washing machines, in more stressful environments than the design specifies or recommends. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss manufacturers’ specified environmental conditions for use and the fact that most users probably do not know or follow those […]

We examine using our knowledge and the knowledge of others to streamline the testing or avoid it altogether.

Lasting Just Long Enough Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the subject of reliability and how appliance manufacturing companies may design for a limited life in order to sell new models. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the need for companies need to sell the new models of their products and the planned […]

Make it Less Robust Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss requests to engineers to make it less robust. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss the situation where engineers are asked to make something less robust. Topics include: Planned obsolescence and its impact on product design. Designing products to last a specific time, not […]

Conference Value Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss conference value: maximizing the benefits of conferences and assessing their value for participation. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss conference value. Topics include: Discover how to make the most of conferences, beyond just attending sessions. Learn the importance of planning ahead, identifying key sessions, and […]

What happens when you need to find the reliability of something ... but don't have a lot of data or information in your organization about it? Well ... there is a fair bit of information out there, if you know where to look. But be careful! There's a lot of disinformation as well. So what can you do?

How do you do 'warranty analysis'? ... hang on ... what is 'warranty analysis'? That means different things for different organizations. Are you trying to understand 'warranty reliability' ... which is all about understanding the likelihood of a product lasting a warranty period. Or are you trying to understand what the 'warranty period' should be? ... or why too many things are failing during you...

Starting a Consultancy Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss starting a consultancy. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss starting a consultancy. Interested in becoming a consultant? This episode dives into the realities of starting a consultancy. Listen to learn more about: the consulting career path, which is not always clear cut and involves […]

Thermal HALT Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss a paper Kirk wrote about how thermal HALT can be a tool for finding marginal signal integrity issues. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss Kirk’s paper on the use of thermal HALT, initially posted on Kirk’s website, acceleratedreliabilitysolutions.com, in 2018, and a re-edited version that […]

Dealing with Ongoing Changes Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the challenge of adding changes to a product during the development process so that they can design and build the prototypes. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss how companies are adding new features to stay competitive with market developments. Topics include: Automobiles, especially […]

Executing the Plan Abstract Carl and Fred continue discussing the listener question about building an effective reliability program. After discussing some of the finer points about creating the reliability plan, the podcast focuses on execution of the reliability plan. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss some of the finer points about building […]

Building a Reliability Program Abstract Carl and Fred discuss a voice message received on the Accendo Reliability “speak pipe.” The caller is trying to build a reliability program at his company. The company already has a good testing program, but needs to supplement with support for reliability in design. Key Points Join Carl and Fred […]

Let’s explore the range of considerations when designing an ORT to optimize the ORT’s ability to identify field problems efficiently.

Do you think you need to do vibration testing ... and don't know where to start? Hint ... don't start with standards. Understand how your thing will be used by customers. And that starts when the device comes off the conveyor belt, packaged, transported, stacked and so on. Listen to this podcast for more!

We surely want to improve the MTBF of a system. If we do, it means it fails less often. But why do we keep saying it is 'bad'? Well that is because the MTBF is a vastly oversimplified metric that sounds like 'reliability' (it isn't) that seems to infect so many reliability engineering activities and analyses that actually get in the way of improving the overall MTBF. Confused? Listen to this podca...

What Counts Abstract Carl and Fred discuss a listener question about what type of field or test issues to count when assessing or estimating reliability in a project. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss how to collect and maintain field and test data when calculating or estimating reliability. Topics include: Do you […]

Facilitator and Deep Understanding Abstract Carl and Fred discuss  an Inside FMEA reader question: “does a facilitator have to have a deep understanding of the subject matter they are facilitating?” Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the level of knowledge a facilitator must have about there subject being facilitated, in order to […]

Influence vs Facilitation Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss influence vs. facilitation and the difficulty of trying to do both at once. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss influence vs. facilitation, comparing the roles of when you are a contributor vs. facilitating with peers. Topics include: The need to be a facilitator when […]