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

Military Customers, Center of Gravity, and Reliability Abstract Chris and Kirk discuss how militaries go about making and getting reliable stuff. And this is sometimes more successful than others … Key Points Join Chris and Kirk as they discuss how military equipment is ‘made’ reliable, or procured in a way that promotes reliability. And regardless […]

FMEAs and Percentage Reduction in Failures Abstract Chris and Carl ask each other … by how much do FMEAs improve reliability? … or reduce failure? Key Points Join Chris and Carl as they discuss what benefits you can expect from doing a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). And by benefits … what fraction of […]

Design reviews can sometimes be awful. And this can often occur when we focus religiously on 'meeting requirements.' We only meet requirements at the end of the design process - so what do we talk about during the 17 design reviews that happen before then? Sometimes we devolve into a courtroom where the design team leads are presumed 'guilty' of something and need to convince the judges that they have been working really, really hard. Sounds familiar? Listen to this podcast.

Safety and Reliability Abstract Carl and Fred discussing the tools of safety and reliability engineering, and how these tools overlap. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the broad set of tools within the body of knowledge of reliability engineering, and the value or lack of value in categorizing the tools into subsets. […]

Safety – Binary or Variable Abstract Carl and Fred discuss the subject of safety. Specifically whether an item or device can be considered safe or not safe (binary), or whether there are degrees of safety (variable). Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the concept of developing and verifying safe products. Topics include: […]

There is a huge difference between 'making' reliability and 'checking' reliability. We can't just assume that because we rigorously 'check' reliability that this will procedurally imply that someone else will 'make' reliability. This is like driving your car using the rear vision mirror only. Trying to guide an engineering team on what you 'do want' is not simply telling them what you 'don't want' ... once they fail to meet (ambiguous) guidance.

Supply Chain Controls and Checks Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing how we can insure we receive outsourced parts meet our requirements when we may not know what variances in specifications will affect your particular system. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss supply chain issues and controlling potential quality excursions Topics include: Each […]

Kitchen Appliance Failure Abstract Kirk and Fred discussing a recent failure of an electric range/oven and the troubleshooting, FA and repair. See the show notes to see photos and details of the failure analysis. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the process of finding the cause of the range/oven failure. You can […]

Wright’s Law and Reliability Abstract Chris and Fred discuss this thing called ‘Wright’s Law’ which is a really fascinating way of describing how things improve as we create more of them. And why is this relevant for reliability engineering? Does ‘reliability growth’ ring a bell? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss Wright’s […]

Maintenance Culture Matters Abstract Chris and Fred discuss how important maintenance culture is – especially when it comes to safety-critical systems. Like ‘cable cars’ used to transport people up ski slopes. But unfortunately (like the recent accident that occurred in Italy that resulted in 14 deaths) toxic maintenance culture can lead to disastrous consequences. And […]