ReliaSoft's Reliability HotWire: Issue 5

In this issue:

Issue 5, July 2001

	Hot Topics
	Reliability Basics
	Tool Tips
	Hot News
	On the Hot Seat
	Contribute to Hotwire

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Hot Topics

Analyzing Sudden-Death Testing Data
Sudden-death testing has been in popular use for a number of decades. One of the appeals of sudden-death testing is reduced test time, with claims of test time reduction of up to 75% having been made. Naturally, this has a strong attraction to program managers and test engineers who are always on the lookout for ways to cut test time and costs. Sudden-death testing involves testing identical groups of units until the first failure in each group occurs. When a unit in a group fails, the rest of the units in that group are suspended, and another group is put on test. This process is continued until all of the groups have been tested.

In this article, we will look at the "classical" method of analyzing data from sudden-death tests, as well as a much simpler method of analysis using Weibull++.

Reliability Basics

The purpose of this section is to offer background and advice to the novice reliability engineer.

Sources of Reliability and Life Data
Part 1 - Reliability Testing Basics

To perform useful reliability analyses, detailed and accurate life data information must be obtained. In-house reliability testing is a primary source for this information because the data are gathered under supervised and controlled conditions. In this article, we will look at some aspects of reliability testing, including some principles of reliability test design, the importance of knowing how the product will be used in the field, and some typical reliability tests that may be performed over the life cycle of a product.

In next month's issue, we will look at sources of field data.

Tool Tips

The Tool Tips section addresses helpful hints and frequently asked questions about ReliaSoft software products.

Can I display the locations of suspensions on my probability plots?
How can I design a reliability test that will provide detailed information about my product with only two test units and a minimum amount of test time?
How can I copy a reliability block diagram (RBD) into the same Diagram sheet in BlockSim?

Hot News

	Next Seminar in San Diego, August 20-24 - The next ReliaSoft "Master the Subject, Master the Tools" seminar will be held in San Diego, CA from August 20-24, 2001 at the Holiday Inn on the Bay. Topics for this five-day seminar include Life Data Analysis, Accelerated Life Testing, and System Reliability, Maintainability and Availability. For more information on course content and how to register, see http://www.reliasoft.com/seminars/082001.htm.
	Weibull++ MT: Reliability analysis package specifically for manufacturing and process engineers - ReliaSoft has been working closely with the American Institute of Quality, Ford Motor Company and representatives of the machine tool supplier community to develop an industry specific version of Weibull++. A July release date for Weibull++ MT has been announced. In addition to all of the great functionality found in Weibull++, Weibull++ MT has special input and tracking methods for data specific to those tracking the reliability of manufacturing and production processes. For more information call ReliaSoft toll-free at +1-888-886-0410.
	Advanced accelerated testing analysis training available with "QALT Boot Camp" - ReliaSoft will begin offering an intensive three-day course on advanced topics, concepts and applications of quantitative accelerated life testing (QALT). This "QALT Boot Camp" is a three-day seminar that covers advanced topics in accelerated test data analysis such as time-varying stress and multiple stress testing. The next QALT Boot Camp will be held in Tucson, September 12-14, 2001. For more information on course content and how to register, call ReliaSoft toll-free at +1-888-886-0410.

On The Hot Seat

In this issue, we premiere the feature "On The Hot Seat," where reliability professionals share their experiences with ReliaSoft applications, and relate how they have improved their day-to-day job assignments.

First on the Hot Seat is Dr. Robert Herrick, who is in charge of laser and LED reliability for Agilent Technologies in San Jose, California. Dr. Herrick is a senior quality and reliability engineer for fiber optics at Agilent. His primary responsibility is for overseeing vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) reliability for the sources used in Agilent's fiber optic transceivers.

To read more, see http://weibull.com/hotwire/issue5/hotseat5.htm

Contribute to Hotwire

Contributions Welcomed
As always, your feedback and contributions are appreciated. ReliaSoft is able to provide the most user-friendly reliability software packages and support because we listen to our customers. This applies to our newsletters and publications as well. We welcome any suggestions or contributions you may have for Reliability HotWire. If you have a topic or article that you think would be useful to the readers of Reliability HotWire, feel free to contact us. We can be reached by e-mail at HotWire@ReliaSoft.com, or by standard mail at 1450 S. Eastside Loop, Tucson, AZ 85710-6703, USA.

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