When we first invented the FMEDA technique in the late 1980s the biggest problem was the component failure rate and failure mode data.  Still is.  I picked up a well-known standard for component failure rates and saw a date of 2010.  The technology world has gone through an order of magnitude change since then!  We all benefit from the improvements in reliability, energy efficiency, packaging, and functionality made by electronic component manufacturers, especially the semiconductor companies.  

An FMEDA is done to predict product failure rates, failure modes and useful life.  But this prediction is not so good when old data is used – the old saying goes “garbage in equals garbage out.”  If you are doing an FMEDA get up to date failure rate and failure mode data.  If you are looking for an FMEDA software tool, be sure to ask about the component database and its update policy.    


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Tagged as:     FMEDA     failure rate     Dr. William Goble     component failure rate  

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