dc.description.abstract |
Product quality is the most vital factor for manufacturers’ survival. As an
effective quality control technique, FMEA (Failure Mode Effect Analysis) has
been put into widespread use. However, improper, unsystematic and isolated
FMEA applications in product design and manufacturing process design have
lowered its effectiveness greatly.
This research aims to develop an integrated FMEA framework which can guide
correct FMEA applications. The focus of the research is to interrelate and
provide traceability of the potential failures of functions of product design and
the manufacturing processes. The objectives are to: (1) synthesise the best
practices of FMEA applications through a comprehensive literature review; (2)
identify the gap between FMEA application performances and best practices
through document research, staff interviews and questionnaire in an aerospace
company; (3) develop an integrated FMEA framework designed to interrelate
and provide traceability of potential failures of functions of product design and
manufacturing processes; (4) validate the framework through expert judgement
in collaboration with the aerospace company.
This research has proposed an integrated FMEA framework. It has five parts,
which mean 5 stages for applying FMEA. To guarantee enough management
support and required resources, it is first necessary to establish management
awareness and commitment; then the system for mandatory, systematic and
correct FMEA applications must be established; subsequently, staff training to
develop a sound understanding of FMEA applications, FMEA implementation
for risk assessment and elimination and auditing process for continuous
improvement are proposed sequentially. According to the expert judgement, the
framework can guide correct and systematic FMEA applications in the
collaborative aerospace company, focusing more attention on defect elimination
and thereby enhancing product quality control. |
en_UK |