Design Vulnerability Analysis and Design Improvement by Using Warranty Data

Abstract

Abstract Continuous improvement in reliability is one of the key factors to success in the world automobile market. Good reliability can only be achieved through good design and manufacturing practice. Manufacturers want to allocate their limited resources to improvement in such a way that they can get the highest benefits. The warranty claims database contains more information than any other test for the reliability of products in actual use. Assisted by a design vulnerability index derived from the axiomatic design principle, warranty data can be used to identify the areas of the product such that the improvement of these areas will maximize the gain in reliability improvement. In this paper, we provide a methodology of utilizing warranty data to prioritize design improvement efforts based on design vulnerability and the feedback from warranty data. The methodology is illustrated with an example case. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.