Perspective Chapter: Defining and Applying the FMEA Process Method in the Field of Industrial Engineering

Abstract

The analysis of failure modes and effects (FMEA) is a method of analyzing the potential failure of a product or process and developing an action plan aimed at their prevention and increased quality of products, processes, and job production environments. As a method of critical analysis, FMEA has very clear objectives: determination of the weaknesses of a technical system; initiating causes of failure-seeking components; analysis of the environmental impacts, safety of operation, the product value; provision of corrective actions to remove the causes of the occurrence of defects; provision of a plan to improve product quality and maintenance; determining the needs of technology and modernization of production; increasing the level of communication between departments of working people at hierarchical levels. FMEA should be used before taking the product. Subsequently, there is no point, only because the customer demands it, to achieve FMEA. Therefore, FMEA must be within organizational conduct. This chapter describes the FMEA method and presents studies about the improvement of the quality process for some products from industrial engineering by using FMEA, such as: axis for packaging, assembly “stator Housing,” composite parts used in the railway field. The potential causes of the defects were studied, and improvement measures were proposed.