Performance characterization
Don Clausing
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 1
Failure modes
? Noises lead to failure modes (FM)
? One set of noise values leads to FM
1
? Opposite set of noise values leads to FM
2
? Simple problem solving chases the problem
from FM
1
to FM
2
and back again, but does
not avoid both FMs with the same set of
design values – endless cycles of
build/test/fix (B/T/F)
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 2
Failure modes occurrence
? Failure modes occur when the essential
performance characteristic deviates
excessively from its ideal value
? Some failure modes are simply values that
deviate so far that output is not useful; e.g.,
voltage from power supply is too low
? Some failure modes are catastrophic; e.g.,
paper that arrives too soon jams in copier
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 3
Performance characteristic
? What is good performance characteristic to
use when reducing the occurrence of failure
modes?
? Don’t merely count occurrence of failure
modes
? Can’t distinguish between following two
cases
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 4
Case 1 – easy to fix
Occurrence of
failure mode
FM
1
FM
2
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 5
Case 2 – difficult to fix
Occurrence of
failure mode
FM
1
FM
2
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 6
Case 1 and Case 2
? Both cases have same failure rate
? But situations are very different
? Counting failure rate is very weak approach
to the reduction of failure rate
? Concentrate on ideal function –
What is the system supposed to do?
? Then make system do it all of the time
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 7
The engineered system
Noise
Signal System
Response
Control
factors
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 8
Ideal function
Ideal
function
(response)
RESPONSE
SIGNAL, M
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 9
Actual response
Ideal
response
Effect of
noises
RESPONSE
M
1
SIGNAL
M
2
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 10
Keep performance close to ideal
? Identify ideal performance (function,
response)
? Then make actual performance stay as close
as possible to ideal
? Linear response is called “dynamic” –
desired value for response depends on input
value of signal
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 11
Examples of dynamic response
? Car turning radius
? Car stopping distance
? Copy quality
? Casting
? Electrical resistance
What are the signals?
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 12
Case study – hitch
? Used to connect implements to tractor
? Transmits power from tractor to implement
? We can all see its function
? But what is a good engineering statement of
its function?
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 13
Functions of hitch
? Provide mechanical interface with implement
? Provide proper vehicle performance
? Meet ISO dimensional requirements
? Protect people from moving parts
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 14
More detail on first function
? Provide adequate performance in working range
– Proper attitude through working range
– Provide adequate depth
– Provide adequate lift capacity at breakout
– Provide Draft Control
? Provide adequate performance in transport mode
– Provide adequate height
– Provide proper kick angle
– Provide adequate lift capacity at transport
? Provide easy hookup and disconnect
? Provide easy linkage adjustments
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 15
Yes, but what is ideal function?
? Meet ISO dimensional requirements
? Protect people from moving parts are important
generic requirements, but are not elements of
the ideal function.
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 16
Functions of hitch
? Provide mechanical interface with implement
? Provide proper vehicle performance are
related to ideal function. Candidate for ideal
function:
Transmit load
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 17
Forces on system
H
I
T
C
H
IMPLEMENT
TRACTOR
F
T
F
F
F
D
W
H
F
R
F
S
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 18
Noises in the field
HARD ROWS
? Change in earth impedance causes forces to change
? Which changes do we wish to minimize?
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 19
Keep what constant?
? Constant force?
? Constant depth of engagement into the soil?
? Constant power?
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 20
Candidate ideal function
Actual
depth
Ideal
function
(response)
SIGNAL, depth set by farmer
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 21
Determination of ideal function
? Identify the performance variations that we
would like to go to zero
? The performance that remains when the
undesirable variations are zero is the ideal
performance
? In the hitch case further analysis, tests, and
discussions with customers are needed to
identify (verify) ideal function
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 22
Ideal function
? Want Ideal Response to Signal – usually
straight-line function
? Definition is often not trivial
? In the absence of explicit definition the
objective of improvement activities is
unclear; success unlikely
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 23
Signal/noise ratio
? Measure of deviation from ideal
performance
? Based on ratio of deviation from straight
line divided by slope of straight line
? Many different types – depends on type of
performance characteristic
? Larger values of SN ratio represent more
robust performance
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 24
Summary
? Knowing ideal function is crucial for
success – we have to know where we are
trying to get to, or it is unlikely that we will
get there in a reasonable time
? Requires detailed engineering analysis of
conditions for customer satisfaction
? Don Clausing 1998
16.881
Fig. 25
End