Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) in Automated Mining Machinery

摘要

Type Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) is a common method of failure analysis and is often the first step of a system reliability study. It involves reviewing as many components, assemblies, and subsystems as possible to identify failure modes, and their causes and effects. When FMEA is implemented in automated mining machinery, a new aspect of analysis appears, namely, FMEA application to the hardware and software of automation systems. If the critical failure mode and its related subsystem comprise mechanical or electrical parts of a machine, classic FMEA is appropriate. But in the case of automation failures (hardware and software failures), FMEA needs to be done in a slightly different way which needs a deep knowledge of failure mechanism in automation systems. Since, these kinds of failures are new concepts in mining machinery, in this paper it is tried to discuss and investigate the associated challenges in applying FMEA method in automated mining machinery'. Finally, some new practical guidelines are presented for increasing the success of FMEA analysis and carrying out the effective reliability centered maintenance (RCM) program in automated or semi-automated mining fleet.