Application and Merits of FMEA/FMECA

 The FMEA/FMECA analysis procedure is a tool that has been adapted in many different ways for several different purposes.

• It might contribute to improved designs for products and processes, resulting in

1. Higher reliability,
2. Better quality,
3. Increased safety,
4. Improved customer satisfaction and
5. Decreased costs.

• The tool might also be utilized for repairable systems to

1. Establish maintenance policy, and
2. Optimise maintenance plans.

• Contribute to control plans & other quality assurance procedures.

• It provides

1. A knowledge base of failure mode, and
2. Corrective action information.

•  It can be utilized as a resource in

1. Future troubleshooting efforts, and
2. As a training tool for new engineers.

• An FMEA or FMECA is frequently required to comply with safety & quality requirements, such like ISO9001, ISO/TS 16949, QS 9000, FDA Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Six Sigma, Process Safety Management Act (PSM), etc.

Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) is a powerful design analysis tool that is utilized to increase system reliability. It might be applied throughout the initial design phase or to current equipment. To be more effective, the FMECA must relate to the nature of the design process itself. In either case, it considers whole design, operating, & service problems, while at the similar time addressing process & safety problems.

The preparation of FMEA must always be undertaken by a team of people drawn from all the relevant areas of the organization bringing the suitable information & insight as illustrated in figure.

The reward of a cross functional team as illustrated in the people input are as follows:

• Earlier possible, parallel working (not serial) - concurrent engineering.
• Advantage of more extensive knowledge and experience.
• Enhancing creativity.
• Enhancing acceptance.
• Simultaneous and not successive decision procedure.

If used as a design tool, the benefit of FMECA based upon the timeliness in which information is communicated in early design face. Timeliness is possibly the most significant factor in differentiating between effective & ineffective implementation of the FMECA. The efforts and sophistication of the approach utilized depend greatly on the requirements of each individual program. In any case, the FMECA must contribute to the overall program decision.