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Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
FMEAs are bottoms-up, component-level examinations of a system or piece of equipment that consider failures and their consequences. The function of each component is detailed, and an explanation is given for the mode of failure. A list is then made of the effects of each possible failure on the system or equipment operation, on the safety of personnel, and hardware integrity. A criticality is assigned for each failure, ranging from loss of life or hardware to a delay in operations. FMEAs cover equipment and system components in critical systems and can be taken down to a level of detail necessary to achieve the desired results or as specified by the customer.
Like FMECAs, FMEAs are a single-failure-point analysis of a system's hardware that determines the worst case effects of the failure of each component within that system. It is also used to analyze redundancy for critical applications .
Criticality Assessments
A Criticality Assessment determines the criticality of a system in terms of reliability impact. If the loss of or improper functioning of any one of the system's functions could result in the loss of life, or damage to the system, a FMECA or FMEA is recommended. The system input and output functions are considered for possible effect on interfacing systems. This analysis usually one of the first tasks performed in order to determine the areas of focus on our other analyses.
System Hazard Analyses
These analyses are cause-and-effect assessments of hazardous conditions inherent in the design of a system. They are developed using a Fault Tree or similar logic sequence and provide details of design and operational safety risks. The analyses show all credible risks to personnel and hardware in order to identify ways to eliminate or control the risks. The severity and probability of each risk is assessed, and depending on effect and severity, either controls are identified or redesign is recommended. These reports identify significant design and operation risks and provide recommendations for resolution.
Fault Tree Analyses
A Fault Tree is a symbolic presentation of the system failures or "events" needed to result in a pre-defined undesired event. Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) is a reliability/safety design analysis technique that begins with consideration of the effect of failure on the system referred to as "top events". The analysis then determines all the possible ways these can be caused by individual or combined lower level events. It differs from a FMECA in being strictly a top-down approach and in considering multiple failures. The graphical representation of the Fault Tree makes it easy to understand all possible failures that could lead to the undesired top event.
Reliability Block Diagrams
The Reliability Block Diagram (RBD) is a graphical representation of the failure logic of a system. It illustrates the logical connections between components of the system. This analysis goes hand-in-hand with the FMEA or FMECA since each failure mode is considered in relation to its effect on the system's output. The RBD is not necessarily the same as a block schematic diagram of the functional layout. A different RBD is necessary for each definition of what constitutes a critical system failure.
Reliability Predictions
Using state of the art software, engineering experience, parts databases, and classical reliability prediction methodologies, Intelli-Tek can predict your equipment's RMA performance during the design phase. In this way you can modify your design for before you develop and market it. Intelli-Tek can do the same for your currently deployed systems/equipment.
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