In the present contemporary climate of global competition in every branch of engineering and manufacture it has been shown from extensive customer surveys that above every other attribute, reliability stands as the most desired feature in a finished product. To survive this relentless fight for survival any organisation, which neglect the plea of attaining to excellence in reliability, will do so at a serious cost Reliability in Automotive and Mechanical Engineering draws together a wide spectrum of diverse and relevant applications and analyses on reliability engineering. This is distilled into this attractive and well documented volume and practising engineers are challenged with the formidable task of simultaneously improving reliability and reducing the costs and down-time due to maintenance. The volume brings together eleven chapters to highlight the importance of the interrelated reliability and maintenance disciplines. They represent the development trends and progress resulting in making this book essential basic material for all research academics, planners maintenance executives, who have the responsibility to implement the findings and maintenance audits into a cohesive reliability policy. Although, the book is centred on automotive engineering nevertheless, the examples and overall treatise can be applied to a wide range of professional practices. The book will be a valuable source of information for those concerned with improved manufacturing performance and the formidable task of optimising reliability.

Autorentext

Professor Bernd Bertsche earned his degree and doctorate in mechanical engineering at the Universitaet Stuttgart. Afterwards, he worked for Mercedes-Benz AG in the passenger car development unit followed by a position as professor at the University of Applied Sciences in Albstadt-Sigmaringen. Later, he was appointed at the Universitaet Stuttgart. Since 2001 Professor Bertsche is the ordinary and head for the Institute of Machine Components at the Universitaet Stuttgart.

Zusammenfassung

Defects generate a great economic problem for suppliers who are faced with increased duties. Customers expect increased efficiency and dependability of technical product of - also growing - complexity. The authors give an introduction to a theory of dependability for engineers. The book may serve as a reference book as well, enhancing the knowledge of the specialists and giving a lot of theoretical background and practical information, especially on the dependability analysis of whole systems.

The theory, concepts and approaches are well explained by examples and solutions. The topics include: Mathematical basis, Life span distributions, System dependability theory, Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), Fault tree analysis, Dependability test planning, Test evaluation, Calculation of repairable systems, Dependability protection programs.

Inhalt
Fundamentals of Statistics and Probability Theory.- Reliability Analysis of a Transmission.- FMEA #x02013; Failure Mode and Effects Analysis.- Fault Tree Analysis, FTA.- Assessment of Lifetime Tests and Failure Statistics.- Weibull Parameters for Specifically selected Machine Components.- Methods for Reliability Test Planning.- Lifetime Calculations for Machine Components.- Maintenance and Reliability.- Reliability Assurance Program.- Solutions.