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Knowledge Base Approach To Integrated Fmea

KNOWLEDGE BASE APPROACH TO INTEGRATED FMEA

If you want snapshots, use a spreadsheet.
If you want continuous improvement, use a Knowledge Base Approach

KEY WORDS
Artificial Intelligence, Continuous Improvement, Corrective Action ,Risk Priority Number

SUMMARY

Integrated Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (IFMEA) is an interdisciplinary methodology for product and process improvement. The methodology employs the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and knowledge mine acquisition to develop a comprehensive decision making environment. The benefits of IFMEA include identification of controls and elimination of potential failures.

INTRODUCTION

To compete in today’s marketplace, designers and manufacturers must eliminate, or at least decrease, the impact of all severe malfunctions and possible failures from their products and manufacturing processes. Moreover, modern standards and regulations (QS-9000, GMP, FAR) require designers and manufacturers to formally demonstrate that all potential malfunctions are analyzed, controlled, and their risks have been minimized (Chrysler Corporation 1995, CCH Inc. 1996). Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is a systematic set of activities—crossfunctional team work—intended to identify, investigate and apply better control and corrective actions to minimize a risk of   potential concern.

The real objective of FMEA may be expressed as follows: not only to avoid risk but also to recognize it, price it, minimize it, and maybe even to sell it (Rafetery 1994, Bluvband 1989).

Up-front time devoted to comprehensive FMEA, at the stages when products/processes changes and improvements can be easily and inexpensively implemented, will obviate late change crises.
Integrated Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (IFMEA) is based on the understanding that artificial intelligence (AI) can be applied to product/process improvement only if accompanied by a customized knowledge base that organizes, not hinders, the...