Introduction to Reliability & Weibull Analysis

by Mr. Chet Haibel, M.S.E.E.

This class starts with foundational concepts to develop an understanding of reliability in the three parts of the bathtub curve. Reliability mathematics are explored using the exponential distribution and constant failure rate as the first example. Examples are sprinkled throughout to help reinforce concepts. The first day ends by illustrating the advantages in prototype quantity and test time of using HALT to discover relevant failure modes and to do a comparison demonstration of reliability for new product release.

The second day generalizes concepts and mathematics developed the first day into the Weibull distribution and non-constant failure rate. The vertical scale on a Weibull graph is de-mystified as are censored and interval testing. Applications of Weibull Analysis for minimal testing using WeiBayes and zero-failure test strategies to save time and money are presented. Field failure prediction and accelerated testing using Weibull Analysis culminate the two days.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This course is intended primarily for Engineers and Managers in New Product Development, Reliability, and Quality.

Click here for a complete, printable, class description.
CLASSES ON RELIABILITY
Length Course Title Instructor
2 days 1. Introduction to Reliability & Weibull Analysis Chet Haibel, M.S.E.E.
2 days 2. HALT & HASS + Workshop Larry Edson, BSME, CQE
3 days 4. Demonstrating Reliability with Accel. Testing Larry Edson, BSME, CQE
4 days 6. Accelerated Test Data Analysis Wayne Nelson, Ph.D.
SPECIFIC TECHNICAL CLASSES
Length Course Title Instructor
2 days 7. Physics of Failure Mr. Abhijit Dasgupta, Ph.D.
2 days 8. Lead-Free Solder Joint Reliability Jean-Paul Clech, Ph.D.
1 day 9. Medical Device Risk Management Chet Haibel, M.S.E.E.
2 days 10. Preventing Thermal & Vibe Failures Larry Edson, BSME, CQE
CUSTOM SEMINARS OFFERED
Length Course Title Instructor
1 day 12. Integrating Adv. Quality, Reliability, Durability
(QRD) Tactics with Accelerated Product Dev.		 James G. McLeish, M.S.
3 days 13. HALT & HASS and Classical Rel. Methods Integrated Edson / Haibel
2 days 14. Preventing Vibration & Shock Failures Prof. Dave Steinberg, P.E.
2 days 15. Preventing Thermal Cycling & Vibrration Failures Prof. Dave Steinberg, P.E.
2 days 16. Cooling Techniques for Electronic Equipment Prof. Dave Steinberg, P.E.


Why Should My Company Develop a Basic Understanding of Reliability?
by Chet Haibel, M.S., CRE, CQE
When a company wants to move to the next level in reliability, for example when the Reliability Engineers want to institute HALT, Cycle Testing, Failure Analysis, Design for Reliability Guidelines, HASS, and such, they need the support of New Product Development engineers, project managers, supplier managers, material engineers, etc. After all, these are the folk who fear their schedule and budget may be adversely impacted. They need to understand that properly applied reliability techniques shorten schedules and save money. Everyone must be rowing the boat in the same direction. This starts with a common understanding of terms: the three kinds of failures, how each is caused, and therefore how each is discovered, corrected, and prevented. The role of stress in reliability is another key concept everyone in the company should understand.
(click to download the complete paper...)

Weibull Analysis Points to the Problem Location
by Chet Haibel, M.S., CRE, CQE,
as demonstrated in the "Introduction to Reliability & Weibull Analysis" Seminar.
One of the companies for whom I consulted last year had a vexing field issue with front panel keypads. Customers were complaining that keypads were hard to press. 136 complaints had occurred in the last five years on a product that was currently shipping at about 850 units per month. Service technicians were typically able to make customers happy by swapping out the keypad. But since the keypad was only a flat panel with a flexible printed circuit board "pigtail" with no replaceable parts, the keypads were not returned to the service depot. Measurements on new keypad assemblies showed that every one tested good, requiring well less than the specified 2 pounds of pushing force to achieve less than the specified maximum resistance of the switches.

That resulted in speculation that keypads were wearing out and ought to be included in preventive maintenance and swapped out along with the rechargeable batteries every two years. However, a life test on new keypads showed that while their resistance varied quite a bit from unit-to-unit and rose somewhat with initial use, they still met specifications at a million cycles, well beyond what customers could experience.
(click to download the complete paper...)
CLASS REGISTRATION
Check Mailed
Payment at Seminar
Visa or Mastercard
(for your security, please fax or phone your credit card information after registering)

Seminars fees for North America:
1 day - $695;
2 days - $1195; 3 days - $1595.
Click here for the long Registration Form
Contacts:
Hobbs Engineering Corp.
4300 West 100th Ave,
Westminster, CO 80031
Tel: 303-465-5988
Fax: 303-469-4353
learn@hobbsengr.com

©2008 Hobbs Engineering Corp.