This paper proposed a TRIZ-based integrated problem solving process to resolve a process-machine problem by re-designing the slit-valve of the processing machine. Based on a slit-valve failure of a chemical vapor depositionequipment in one of major Taiwanese foundry companies, the proposed problem solving process sucessfully identified the critical key disadvantages of the problem and solved th...

On March 4, 1999, the Wide-Field Infrared Explorer (WIRE) was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base on a Pegasus XL launch vehicle into a 540 km orbit with a planned mission duration of four months. WIRE was designed to conduct a deep infrared, extra galactic science survey 500 times more sensitive than the Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS) Faint Source Catalog. The instrument consists of a...

We consider a model of computation consisting of a sequence of n tasks. In the absence of failures, each task i has a known completion time ti . Checkpoints can be placed between any two consecutive tasks. At a checkpoint, the state of the computation is saved on a reliable storage medium. Establishing a checkpoint immediately before task i is known to cost si . This is the time spent in saving...

A mathematical model is developed for an anti-tank missile and its guidance algorithms. The aerodynamic model is separated into two parts, the airframe and external lifting surfaces in order to model damage to the airframe. Radar data is compared to that of the proposed model and it is shown that the model accurately replicates the true flight dynamics. Two types of field handling damage are mo...

The mechanism for nucleation phenomenon in solid-state microcellular foams is identified as a solid-state failure process. This process originates at internal flaws within the gas-polymer matrix, where it is induced by the presence of a state of hydrostatic tensile stress within the polymer matrix. The hydrostatic tensile stress is caused by the presence of the saturating gas within the polymer...

The paper aims to introduce an approach that integrates a technique of knowledge engineering (Ontologies) and a technique of quality engineering (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis). An approach will be set up that shows the potentials of combining IT-based systems of knowledge and quality engineering. Particularly with regard to the quality engineering technique, the paper aims to demonstrate t...

Emerging safety analysis techniques use composition of failure models or fault simulation in formal models of a system to determine relationships between the causes and effects of failure. Most recent work has focused on developing system modelling and algorithms for automatic safety analysis. However, little work has focused on developing principles to improve reuse of safety analyses in the c...

Predicting system lifetime is important to ensure safe and reliable operation of products, which requires integrated modeling based on multi-level, multi-sensor information. However, lifetime characteristics of equipment in a system are different and failure mechanisms are inter-coupled, which leads to complex logical correlations and the lack of a uniform lifetime measure. Based on a Bayesian ...

A method is proposed for the formal analysis of failure mode assumptions and for the evaluation of the dependability of systems whose design correctness is conditioned on the validity of such assumptions. Formal definitions are given for the types of errors that can affect items of service delivered by a system or component. Failure mode assumptions are then formalized as assertions on the type...

This paper presents recent advances in the computational analysis of the failure mechanisms in high-strength steel. Computational issues are described regarding modeling of the geometry, distribution, and material behavior of the dispersed phases present in the microstructure of steel. The investigation of the failure mechanisms using computational cell model methodology in two and three dimens...