TABLE OF CONTENTS Reliability testing is the cornerstone of a reliability engineering program. It provides the most detailed form of reliability data, because the conditions under which the data are collected can be carefully controlled and monitored. Furthermore, reliability testing can be designed to uncover particular suspected failure modes and other problems.
The basic goal of accelerated reliability testing (ART) technology is to describe how one can obtain rapid, objective and accurate initial information about the virtual (factual) values of quality, reliability, maintainability, availability, and other measurements for product evaluation and prediction, in comparison with technical requirements. The basic desirable results of ART are the reduction in time and cost of product development, rapid finding of reasons for product degradation and failures, rapid elimination of these reasons, and, therefore, a rapid increase in product quality, reliability, durability.
The importance of ART technology as a component of customer satisfaction and product differentiation throughout all industries cannot be overstated.
ART is fundamental to a product's success for all customers, industrial, and service companies, as well as academia and military equipment suppliers.
The customer expects a product that functions according to its specifications indefinitely, at no extra cost, especially for maintenance and repair.
The company that develops a reputation for poor quality and reliability pays a heavy penalty in the marketplace. The cost of repair or replacement for failed products, post delivery, can make the difference between profit and loss. Therefore, it is critical that the tools of...
