An analytical approach, a software tool (DFRA) and application examples for assessing process-related failure risk

Our process-related failure risk analysis method belongs to the family of failure mode and effect analysis methods. It represents a systematic, rule-based, quantitative and open-source computational method, developed by Ranky for disassembly and for other processes, to identify and minimize potential failure risks, and/or failures of processes in general, including disassembled sub-assemblies, objects and components, and their effects on the customer. One of the tools developed based on the generic methodology, DFRA (Disassembly Failure Risk Analysis), is a Team Oriented Problem Solving (TOPS) method, aimed at minimizing dissatisfaction, and financial loss for disassembly process related risks. DFRA is applied during the planning stages of a disassembly process, and then updated on a regular basis to document changes. It addresses negative quality and is primarily concerned with potential events, which can make the disassembly process, or the harvested components fail. Our approach is component-oriented, meaning that as we disassemble the product, the DFRA team focuses on each subassembly and then each component. This paper describes the methodology, offers an insight into the rule-base, and gives some application examples for assessing process-related failure risk using our DFRA spreadsheet-based software tool; a crucial piece of the eTransition jigsaw puzzle.