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Reliability Engineering Basics, Statistics, Accelerated Testing, Program Assessment and Improvement. Listen in on in depth discussions held during the live monthly Accendo Reliability webinar series. We explore topics ranging from reliability engineering basics, statistics, accelerated life testing, program assessment and improvement. Catch up or review past events below.
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Speaking Of Reliability: Friends Discussing Reliability Engineering Topics | Warranty | Plant Maintenance
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Understanding (how bad) the Exponential Distribution (is) podcast episode with speaker Chris Jackson We often use probability distributions to help us characterize the likely values a random variable will have. This includes the random variable we call time to failure' or TTF, which is how long something works before it fails. Failure is a random p…
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Effect and Likelihood Abstract Carl and Fred discuss a listener question on FMEA, about reducing the severity level through mitigation strategy. Specifically, can FMEA reduce the likelihood of the effect of failure? Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss how FMEA deals with mitigation of the Effect of failure. Topics include: How design chan…
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Conveying FMEA Results Abstract Carl and Fred discuss an interesting listener question. The listener’s management asked him to create an “eye-popping” chart that summarizes the results on an FMEA. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss how best to share the results of an FMEA with management or engineering. The emphasis is on visually convey…
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Supply Management and Context Abstract Greg and Fred discuss why today’s business model is often based on managing an organization’s brand and outsourcing design, reliability, and quality. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss supply context and risk. Topics include: Changes in today’s business and operating models. Changes in how suppliers…
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Telling the Boss NO Abstract Greg and Fred discuss work communications and job politics. Greg takes the management point of view. Fred advocates the individual contributor point of view. Key Points Have you ever told your boss ‘NO’? Join Greg and Fred as they discuss boss requirements and individual work expectations. Topics include: How to share b…
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Reliability in a Short Term Org Abstract Chris and Fred discuss the problems we experience when we are in an organization with very ‘short-term’ thinking. What can we do? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss how challenging it can be to work in an organization that perhaps one day had a long-term goal or vision, but now has a vicious focu…
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Eye-Popping Stunning Results Abstract Chris and Fred discuss the challenge of being asked by someone to show (or visualize) stunning, eye-popping results for some reliability activity. How do we do this? Is this possible? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss how we go about demonstrating stunning, eye-popping results for the amount of res…
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New Position Advice Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the advice we would give a engineer just starting a career in Reliability Engineering Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the way to best way to learn and apply the many tools and methodology of reliability engineering. Topics include: First seek to understand the history of failures in t…
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Fundamentals of Hypothesis Testing podcast episode with speaker Fred Schenkelberg Let's make a comparison. Let's check our product's key characteristics against specifications, compare vendor life data, or compare the newest design changes to prior performance. We can and should do comparisons well using the appropriate statistical approach. Let's …
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Reliability Allocation Methods Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss reliability allocations for individual components and subsystems. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss a question from one of our listeners and why solid state electronics and mechanical systems have significant differences in the intrinsic life entitlements and have to be analy…
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An Idea Short Explainer Videos Abstract Chris and Fred discuss how short, 1-minute explainer videos could help reliability engineers … especially new ones! Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss how people new to the topic can start immersing themselves in reliability engineering … but in an engaging and ‘easy’ way. We think that perhaps on…
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FRACAS and CMMS Abstract Chris and Fred discuss what Failure Reporting and Corrective Action Systems (FRACAS) and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CSSM) are … and what they are not … and how they relate. Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss both the Failure Reporting and Corrective Action System (FRACAS) and Computerized Maint…
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What is a Mode? Abstract Carl and Fred discuss why understanding the mode of failure is essential in Failure Mode and Effects Analysis. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss how the Mode of failure is used in FMEA and other methods. Topics include: Examples of mode of failure Common misunderstandings about Failure Mode What is observable is…
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Using FMEA (or Functional) Block Diagrams to Understand Your Item podcast episode with speaker Chris Jackson Many engineers rush to design or build something that we think is awesome' or at least proves a concept.' But this often means we build something that we like (not necessarily what our users like) or doesn't work (because we didn't realize t…
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Common Reliability Mistakes Abstract Carl and Fred discuss some of the most common reliability mistakes they have seen in their careers, both ones they have personally made or viewed. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss common erroneous assumptions and other types of mistakes and how to avoid them. Topics include: Not knowing how to inter…
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Selecting Tools to Solve Problems Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss selecting tools to solve problems that are outside of the workplace, too! Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss selecting tools to solve problems that are outside of the workplace, too! Topics include: The many controllable variables of app-enabled coffee machines. How too…
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Are Silos an Issue? Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss workplace politics: are silos an issue? Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss workplace politics: are silos an issue? Topics include: What silos are, what they may look like, and the ways they are formed. The effects of silos on projects and teams. You are needed to bridge silos and fac…
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Why is PoF so Hard? Abstract Chris and Fred discuss why the Physics of Failure (PoF) is hard to model? … or is it? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss how the Physics of Failure (PoF) is seen as hard to use to model time to failure of something. It usually needs a detailed equation or formula to model how long it takes for something to f…
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Fundamentals of Process Capability podcast episode with speaker Fred Schenkelberg Calculating and interpreting the process capability ratios is the easy part. Getting valid results takes more work and thinking. Knowing that the process is capable is only one use of this information. We should also use the information contained in these ratios to in…
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MTBF, Really? Abstract Chris and Fred discuss the MTBF … again. And again. People don’t (want to) get it. So here we go again … Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss the MTBF and why it should virtually never be used. Why? Topics include: What’s wrong with the MTBF when it comes to reliability? When we assume that the only thing we need to…
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Finding Failures and Firefighting Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss new product market release schedule pressures, and then after customers start finding reliability issues, the actual firefighting begins. Many times, those who quickly can fix the causes of failures, the firefighters, get many more accolades than those who find and mitigate product we…
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Proving HALT Works Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the challenge of showing those new to limit discovery using HALT and proving does find relevant future field issues that either already have occurred in a new released product, or in a product under development. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss finding potential weaknesses in a new or e…
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Limits of Block Diagrams Abstract Chris and Fred discuss how we go about modeling the reliability of systems … particularly with things called ‘block diagrams.’ Might this help you? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss how we can go about modelling a system, mainly in response to a listener question. The question revolves around modeling …
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Where do Confidence Bounds Come From Abstract Chris and Fred discuss where the ideas of ‘confidence bounds’ come from … and perhaps what they mean. Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss how we come up with things we call ‘confidence bounds.’ What are they? … and how do they help? Topics include: What are ‘confidence bounds’? Confidence bou…
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Differing FMEA Approaches Abstract Carl and Fred discuss their overall approach to FMEA, what works and doesn’t work. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss how they approach FMEA to keep it lean, effective and workable. Topics include: Does a longer FMEA make for a better FMEA? If you have the right FMEA team and no one is concerned about a…
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Using Monte Carlo Simulation to Make Hard Reliability Analyses Easy podcast episode with speaker Chris Jackson Sometimes the equations we need to model reliability are just so complicated that we simply avoid them, or use other equations that are simpler but model the wrong thing (see some of my earlier webinars!). But it doesn't have to be this wa…
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Knotty Detection Abstract Carl and Fred discuss reader questions on FMEA detection, a subject which can be challenging and confusing. Detection is a key part of FMEA during product development as well as in operation. This podcast will discuss some of the “knottiest” challenges with understanding detection in FMEA. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as …
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Learning Weibull Analysis Abstract Chris and Fred discuss Weibull Analysis and how it can help you can first take your ‘tentative’ steps to learn more about it. Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss Weibull analysis. This is perhaps one of the most talked about forms of analysis reliability engineers talk about. And so for some people who …
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Learning From Those Closest Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the fact that many times those on the assembly and production lines are the ones that have the most information for assembly issues and causes of failures, yet the information they have is not heard by the engineers and management that could improve it. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they…
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Getting Failure Feedback Abstract Kirk and Fred discuss the many required tests before market release and post market ongoing reliability testing and why testing is so necessary. Key Points Join Kirk and Fred as they discuss the reasons we have to do so many tests to get the feedback on failures sometimes long after the tests have no failures for l…
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Fundamentals of Control Charts podcast episode with speaker Fred Schenkelberg On one of my first vendor visits, they proudly showed us the control charts behind glass near the conference room. They were nicely printed, all in perfect control, and rather odd. A control chart belongs on the production line, where the operators make the measurements. …
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Data Analysis Assumptions Abstract Greg and Fred discuss the importance and context of assumptions in data analysis. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss assumptions making decisions using non parametric data. Topics include: What is non parametric data? Why, when, and how to use non parametric data? How to make good decisions using non pa…
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AI Challenges and Opportunities Abstract Greg and Fred discuss AI – both the challenges and opportunities for quality and reliability professionals. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss how AI may have the same impact as the discovery of electricity or the steam engine. Both created economic disruption and personal change. So, hang on. Be …
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AI Product Development and Deployment podcast episode with speaker Greg Hutchins AI is or will be integrated into every product and service. The world of AI product development is really confusing. What is required? What are good practices? What's next? Greg will discuss the critical architecture and design practices that need to be considered in A…
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Robustness Abstract Philip and Fred discuss the idea of a robust design for a product or system. Key Points Join Philip and Fred as they discuss Topics include: To improve the ability of a product to withstand unexpected stresses, improve the robustness. Design techniques to improve robustness. Various methods to improve reliability like stress-str…
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Vintage Experience Abstract Philip and Fred discuss the value of the experience our co-workers may be able to share. How important is Mentoring in the Workplace? Should we all be mentors? How do we collaborate with a cross functional team that is built through the many generations and Leveridge the experience and foster the growth of a recent addit…
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The MTBF and Modeling System Reliability podcast episode with speaker Chris Jackson The Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) appears in lots of textbooks and standards, so it must be really important right? Well, not really. The MTBF is the most overused and misunderstood term in reliability engineering, including system reliability modeling, where we …
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Shorter Lifespan of Newer Appliances Abstract Carl and Fred discuss an article from the Wall Street Journal describing how newer appliances tend to have more complexity and shorter lifespans, and what can be done to reverse the trend. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss the factors that influence reliability in large, complex appliances, …
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Value of Design FMEA Abstract Carl and Fred discuss an interesting question from a listener about modeling the money value of Design FMEAs. Key Points Join Carl and Fred as they discuss whether it is possible to predict the cost savings due to design changes driven by Design FMEA. Topics include: The challenge of predicting warranty costs from FMEA…
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Forecasting Returns Abstract Chris and Fred discuss how you go about forecasting returns … and understanding things like warranty reliability for products that are ‘shipped all over the place? … at different times? Sound familiar? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they respond to a question from one of our listeners where he was struggling to under…
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Atlanta Airport Outage Abstract Chris and Fred discuss what happened during the ‘2017 Atlanta Airport Blackout’ where power was lost for 11 hours, hundreds of flights had to be diverted, passengers needed to be housed in hotels, and lots of other costly things. Surely this was due to some sort of unforeseeable event bordering on the ‘supernatural?’…
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Fundamentals of Safety Margins podcast episode with speaker Fred Schenkelberg One way to create a robust product or system is to consider all the stresses and design to withstand those stresses. We often do not know all the stresses, magnitudes, and ranges of variation. We know that many materials degrade with time, yet we do not know precisely how…
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Customer Support Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss the challenges as a customer when calling for customer support. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss customer support. Topics include: why current contact methods make it seem that customers are not a priority. the missing link: the problem the customer is facing. how changing the managem…
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Getting Questions Answered Abstract Dianna and Fred discuss the challenges in asking others reliability questions and getting questions answered. Key Points Join Dianna and Fred as they discuss getting questions answered about reliability. Topics include: places to ask questions being able to say “failure” ways to look at asking questions to help y…
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How to Get Unstuck: Do Good. Be Happy. podcast episode with speaker Greg Hutchins In this presentation, Greg Hutchins will explain how to Get Unstuck: Do Good. Be Happy based on the Working It book (4.9/5.0 stars on Amazon). Today's Linkedin review: A wonderful book by a great author. A must recommend for those who are looking to enhance their skil…
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Moose Lodge Syndrome Abstract Greg and Fred discuss how institutions can and should adapt, but often don’t. The result is that even most Fortune 500 companies have a 10 year half life. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss the inability of organizations to change and pivot. ‘Moose Lodge Syndrome’ is a metaphor for organizational resistance …
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Check Your (Decision Making) Bias Abstract Greg and Fred discuss how bias is a part of all of us. Our challenge is that bias impacts our decision making from simple rules of thumb to complex decisions. Key Points Join Greg and Fred as they discuss heuristic and complex decision making. Topics include: What are decision making or problem solving bia…
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Reliability of a K out of N' System podcast episode with speaker Chris Jackson We often use the term system reliability modelling' to describe any scenario where we need to somehow convert what we know about component reliability into system reliability in order to make a decision. Some of us might have heard of series systems' that have no redunda…
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Failure and Hazard Rate Abstract Chris and Fred discuss the similarities and differences between two terms that many people think mean the same thing. Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss the idea that a failure rate and hazard rate are the same, or are they? Topics include: What is the ‘hazard rate’? The rate at which functional products…
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Field and Operational Time Abstract Chris and Fred discuss a listener’s question about dealing with different ‘duration’ metrics for their field data … so how do we find things like ‘operating time’ and other age-related metrics that aren’t calendar time that simply aren’t there? Key Points Join Chris and Fred as they discuss how to work with a pro…
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