Failure mode and effects analysis : An integrated approach for product design and process control

Discusses the implementation of failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) for both product design and process control. FMEA is implemented in two ways to ensure that the reliability requirements are met for the production of an airbag inflator. Design FMEA is performed to generate a process control plan, visual aids, and a process verification list. Design FMEA and process FMEA are integrated through reliability prediction and supplier PPM reports. The supplier PPM reports contain the information that can be employed to update the probabilities used in design FMEA. The results of reliability predictions are fed back to eliminate the design weakness. Demonstrates the integrated procedure of the FMEA approach and discusses the relationships among useful tools.