I have recently begun a new job role in manufacturing engineering and one of my tools I'm learning to use is an FMEA.
Fault mode and effects analysis. Its basically used to identify component failures and what effect it will have on your operations e.g. a seal failing
on a brake system.
I'm starting one this weekend with my BEC rectifier. Even though I've cured the problem, It took me a long time to reach this point due to
not following any specific troubleshooting guide and throwing money at the wrong problem.
Have a look at Wikipedia and the examples they give. It maybe helpful for those of you scratching your heads with a recurring problem that's
costing you money and reliability.
I work for a global Japanese company and speak PFMEA and DFMEA everyday.
If your a manufacturing engineer you will also be familiar with sigma 6?
There are many other tools my team use but I am a design engineer not manufacturing
I use DFMEA and then PFMEA on some, mainly automotive, jobs. They are good at making you realise how risky something is and priorities risks. However you can still miss things if you don't think of them in the first place. Using them as a team is great but on your own not so.
An 8d is a real good problem solving tool too.
If you need any assistance on this let me know. I use these tools daily (major part of my job as a supplier development manager in automotive) I have
written and trained employees both internally and at suppliers on FMEA, Problem solving techniques etc.
Human nature is to jump to conclusions and think they have solved the problem but in fact have only treated a symptom. So problem will occur again.
Finding the root cause of any problem can follow the same logical approach and these tools are a big step in the right direction
Good luck
quote:
Originally posted by wylliezx9r
An 8d is a real good problem solving tool too.
Started using that in the 80s supplying parts to Ford. it is a very good method but you can get distracted and get lost in dead ends.