A high percentage of defense systems fail to meet their reliability requirements. This is a serious problem for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), as well as the nation. Those systems are not only less likely to successfully carry out their intended missions, but they also could endanger the lives of the operators. Furthermore, reliability failures discovered after deployment can result in costly and strategic delays and the need for expensive redesign, which often limits the tactical situations in which the system can be used. Finally, systems that fail to meet their reliability requirements are much more likely to need additional scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and to need more spare parts and possibly replacement systems, all of which can substantially increase the life-cycle costs of a system. Beginning in 2008, DOD undertook a concerted effort to raise the priority of reliability through greater use of design for reliability techniques, reliability growth testing, and formal reliability growth modeling, by both the contractors and DOD units. To this end, handbooks, guidances, and formal memoranda were revised or newly issued to reduce the frequency of reliability deficiencies for defense systems in operational testing and the effects of those deficiencies. "Reliability Growth" evaluates these recent changes and, more generally, assesses how current DOD principles and practices could be modified to increase the likelihood that defense systems will satisfy their reliability requirements. This report examines changes to the reliability requirements for proposed systems; defines modern design and testing for reliability; discusses the contractor's role in reliability testing; and summarizes the current state of formal reliability growth modeling. The recommendations of "Reliability Growth" will improve the reliability of defense systems and protect the health of the valuable personnel who operate them.

Designed to be easy to read and perfect for busy people who have little time, this unique book provides an introduction to the new concept of Failure Mapping by comparing typical functions in an organization which benefits from Failure Mapping to one without. Through examples it shows how individuals in different roles can have their effectiveness enhanced by having access to historical Failure Maps describing past failures. While few of the individual concepts are new, the approach described ties established concepts together in a new and comprehensive manner. This resource describes the process used to create Failure Maps that connect Malfunction Reports (Function - Behavior) with Failure Modes (Component - Condition) to help users clearly understand the most likely final disposition based only on the initial report and the statistics produced by historical experience. It is sure to be found useful by novice Reliability Engineers, Maintenance and Reliability Managers, Engineering Managers, Plant and Corporate Senior Staff and Executives looking for ways to enhance performance, and Consultants who may want to enrich their portfolio by adding this tool. Describes issues that are particularly important to creating Failure Maps that record failure histories in a manner that the records will be useful in the future. Explains how Failure Maps can be used to improve reliability by identifying Failure Mechanisms while at work. Details how Failure Maps can be used to improve reliability by identifying Defects before failures can occur. Describes how Failure Maps can be used to increase the effectiveness of the diagnostic and troubleshooting process as a part of any help desk activity. Explains how to use Failure Mapping as a tool to improve the effectiveness of "triage" as a part of failure response in high volume activities. Includes several forms found useful in recording Failure Maps and creating reports. Provides readers with tools needed to enhance and set up their own Failure Mapping program. Offers both new and more experienced plant and shop personnel with a tool they can use to develop a consistent understanding of Failure Mapping, the roles in a Failure Mapping organization and the steps in implementing a Failure Mapping process. Introduction Patterns and Relationships The Path to Failure Examples of Failure Mapping and Their Application Naturally Occurring Elements that can be Enhanced by Failure Mapping Structured Assessment Characteristics Evaluated During a Failure Mapping Assessment Assembling a Failure Mapping Process Conclusion Appendix References for Further Reading Index

Failure analysis is the preferred method to investigate product or process reliability and to ensure optimum performance of electrical components and systems. The physics-of-failure approach is the only internationally accepted solution for continuously improving the reliability of materials, devices and processes. The models have been developed from the physical and chemical phenomena that are responsible for degradation or failure of electronic components and materials and now replace popular distribution models for failure mechanisms such as Weibull or lognormal. Reliability engineers need practical orientation around the complex procedures involved in failure analysis. This guide acts as a tool for all advanced techniques, their benefits and vital aspects of their use in a reliability programme. Using twelve complex case studies, the authors explain why failure analysis should be used with electronic components, when implementation is appropriate and methods for its successful use. Inside you will find detailed coverage on: a synergistic approach to failure modes and mechanisms, along with reliability physics and the failure analysis of materials, emphasizing the vital importance of cooperation between a product development team involved the reasons why failure analysis is an important tool for improving yield and reliability by corrective actions the design stage, highlighting the ‘concurrent engineering' approach and DfR (Design for Reliability) failure analysis during fabrication, covering reliability monitoring, process monitors and package reliability reliability resting after fabrication, including reliability assessment at this stage and corrective actions a large variety of methods, such as electrical methods, thermal methods, optical methods, electron microscopy, mechanical methods, X-Ray methods, spectroscopic, acoustical, and laser methods new challenges in reliability testing, such as its use in microsystems and nanostructures This practical yet comprehensive reference is useful for manufacturers and engineers involved in the design, fabrication and testing of electronic components, devices, ICs and electronic systems, as well as for users of components in complex systems wanting to discover the roots of the reliability flaws for their products.

Safety in the process industries is critical for those who work with chemicals and hazardous substances or processes. The field of loss prevention is, and continues to be, of supreme importance to countless companies, municipalities and governments around the world, and Lees' is a detailed reference to defending against hazards. Recognized as the standard work for chemical and process engineering safety professionals, it provides the most complete collection of information on the theory, practice, design elements, equipment, regulations and laws covering the field of process safety. An entire library of alternative books (and cross-referencing systems) would be needed to replace or improve upon it, but everything of importance to safety professionals, engineers and managers can be found in this all-encompassing three volume reference instead. - The process safety encyclopedia, trusted worldwide for over 30 years - Now available in print and online, to aid searchability and portability - Over 3,600 print pages cover the full scope of process safety and loss prevention, compiling theory, practice, standards, legislation, case studies and lessons learned in one resource as opposed to multiple sources

Safety and Reliability of Complex Engineered Systems contains the Proceedings of the 25th European Safety and Reliability Conference, ESREL 2015, held 7-10 September 2015 in Zurich, Switzerland. It includes about 570 papers accepted for presentation at the conference. These contributions focus on theories and methods in the area of risk, safety and

Composed of papers written by leading engineers and scientists in the field, this valuable collection reports the most recent advances in cryocooler development, contains extensive performance test results and comparisons, and relates the latest experience in integrating cryocoolers into advanced applications.