Reliability Lab Testing, Consulting, Training.

Ops a la Carte

Call: (408) 654-0499, x204

Email: info@OPSaLaCarte.com

Engineering Success with Reliable Products.

On-Going Reliability Testing (ORT)

On-Going Reliability Testing (ORT)

DEFINITION

An On-Going Reliability Test (ORT) is used to help derive a reliability figure through testing. An ORT can also point out weaknesses and failure modes that occur over time.

An ORT is very similar to the Reliability Demonstration Test (RDT) except that the RDT is usually performed once just prior to release of the product, whereas the ORT is an on-going test rotating in samples from the manufacturing line.

SITUATION

Since an RDT is only performed once, it cannot pick up changes that occur in the reliability of a product either due to design changes or process changes. An ORT is geared toward this type of scenario.

OBJECTIVE

We will answer your question: “How do I test for reliability”. During the product launch, an On-Going Reliability Test (ORT) is set up and units are cycled through from the manufacturing line to help monitor the projected life of the product on a continual basis and to possibly identify weaknesses.

VALUE TO YOUR ORGANIZATION

Understanding the reliability of a product during the manufacturing process is as important as during the design process.

RELIABILITY INTEGRATION

An example of Reliability Integration during ORT is as follows:

How to use the results of a Reliability Prediction in planning an ORT

Although the prediction may not be able to give an exact MTBF number, it will give a number close enough to help determine an ORT sample size and acceleration factor necessary to provide the necessary data on-going.

METHODOLOGY

An ORT consists of a Planning stage and a Testing and Continual Monitoring stage. The inputs from the customer are the number of units allocated to the test, the duration that each set of units will be in the test before being cycled through, and the stress factors to be applied (often times, these parameters are derived from analyses/detailed discussions between Ops A La Carte and the customer).

  1. Planning Stage

    In the Planning stage, a reliability goal is established. Then, an ORT model is picked (model which helps determine the total amount of time necessary to run along with total allowable failures). Then, the acceleration factor parameters, the number of units, and confidence levels are decided upon. All of this information is then used to develop a detailed test plan.

  2. Testing and Continual Monitoring Stage

    In the Testing and Continual Monitoring stage, the ORT is run and continually monitored to determine if the reliability numbers are meeting the specs. Analysis of each failure shall be performed, corrective action shall be taken if necessary, and units with the fixes shall be immediately fed back into the ORT process.

CASE STUDIES/OPTIONS

The following case studies and options provide example approaches. We shall tailor our approach to meet your specific situation.

  1. ORT Plan only

    A Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment company wanted us to write ORT plan for one of their power supplies, determining total amount of time necessary to run, the acceleration factor parameters, the number of units, and confidence levels.

  2. ORT Plan and Monitoring Results

    A Medical Device company had us write an ORT plan and then monitor results throughout the ORT process, comparing results to goals, and making recommendations on changes needed in the product.

  3. Complete Turn-Key Solution for ORT

    A small Networking company treated the ORT as a turn-key process, where we wrote the plan, tested the samples, made recommendations during test, and wrote on-going reports.

Call Us: (408) 654-0499, x204

Email Us: info@OPSaLaCarte.com

Address: 990 Richard Ave, Suite 101, Santa Clara, CA 95050

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Empowering companies to create happy customers, with well-engineered products.

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OPS A La Carte, Engineering Success with Reliable Products. We are a leading reliability engineering consulting firm since 2001. We have helped many companies create robust products and elevate them to great success, even become the leader in their industry. We are known for providing the whole gamut of reliability lab testing, consulting, and training. With over 25 reliability engineer-experts around the world, with diverse backgrounds and experience, we serve both domestic and global businesses in all areas of reliability, in depth and width. Hi, my name is Jay Muns, owner and CEO. I have more than 30 years of experience in engineering and business operations.

OPS A La Carte have produced very high-quality results for us, with fast turnaround times. Their engineers are the best in their field, are a pleasure to work with, and their work is of the highest standards available. This has helped us obtain critical product approvals…” We help companies see from outside of their forest and understand what they didn’t know before. Companies come to us out of three scenarios: First, when their products fail. We help put out the fire by identifying problems and providing solutions. Second, after a product is designed, to check the box and move on with getting their product into the marketplace. The best is third: to get engaged early, by including reliability as a part of their initial product design goals. This will save time, money and energy. It is much better to have a worry-free product that addresses reliability issues upfront, than dealing with deficiencies after a product is developed, or worse, already manufactured and sold to the end users. Being proactive with reliability engineering will save a business tons of money and trouble. In all scenarios, you receive professional expertise with integrity and at a fair price. Many of our clients are repeat customers for years because of the value we consistently deliver.

Our ENGINEER-consultants each have over 20 years of experience and perform lab testing, consulting and training based on actual reliability science. They follow well established industry standards, such as “HALT” (highly accelerated life test,) and “HASS” (highly accelerated stress screen.) These engineers evaluate, make recommendations and validate results based on highly relevant lab data, co-relating to real world data. Whether your company has a reliability department or not, you can take advantage of our entire testing-consulting-training package, or any portion of it. We also offer Failure analysis and safety certification services such as UL, CE, and other environmental testing services, like solar, UV, SALT spray testing, ESD (electro-static discharge,) and EMC (electro-magnetic compatibility.)

“Ops A La Carte trained us to use HALT methodology as a proactive tool, to root out key failures in our early and advanced prototypes, and that made it possible for us to deliver dependability that our customers demand, in pilot and production units."“...OPS has played a key role in our evolution from a research company to a manufacturer of ‘mission-critical’ components.” A couple of companies describe our HALT/HASS training as “highly informative, engaging and exciting.” “The benefit far exceeds the price."

Our mission is to enable companies to create their happy customers, with a well-engineered product. By helping our clients understand the real problems and the real solutions, we help improve their careers and reputations. Achieving the win-win-win results for our clients and their customers is our ultimate satisfaction. We have a family-like company culture with positive energy and great teamwork. An improved and reliable product is our own small way to contribute to a better humanity and a slightly better world. Call us at (408) 654-0499, or email us at info@opsalacarte.com, or visit our website www.opsalacarte.com. Thank you!

A couple of our clients' testimonials:

"The expert team at OPS assisted us in evaluating the available reliability testing possibilities, and with their help, we crafted a customized test program precisely sized to meet the needs of our project. The resulting program proved to our team, our customers, and our regulatory auditors that our product was robust, met its reliability goals effectively, and satisfied all safety risk factors."

"...Ops A La Carte worked with us to develop a testing program based on HALT and HASS to effectively assess low-temperature operation capability and screen the boards for assembly and component defects. They then facilitated and supported the HALT and HASS testing effort. It was quicker and more efficient than we had expected. The boards for the first four strings have been delivered. We are looking forward to working with them through completion of the project."