The Failure Curve Analysis section lets you record which failure pattern matches the equipment problem a Kaizen addresses.
What Failure Curve Analysis is
Failure Curve Analysis is a lean manufacturing technique for understanding the lifecycle and reliability of equipment by analyzing its failure patterns over time.
It helps you predict future failures, plan maintenance and improve overall equipment effectiveness. There are six types of curves:
Type | Curve |
Type A | Bathtub A higher failure rate when the equipment is new, followed by a low level of random failures, then a sharp increase in failures at the end of its life. |
Type B | Wear Out A low level of random failures, followed by a steep increase in failures at the end of the equipment's life. |
Type C | Fatigue A gradually increasing level of failures over the equipment's life. |
Type D | Initial Break-in Period A very low level of failures at first, followed by a sharp rise to a constant level. |
Type E | Random A consistent level of random failures over the equipment's life, with no pronounced increase or decrease related to its age. |
Type F | Infant Mortality A high initial failure rate followed by a random level of failures. |
Use the Failure Curve Analysis section
1. Add the Failure Curve Analysis section from the available list to the required phase. See Add or remove sections from Kaizen phases.
Note: a newly added section appears below the last section in the phase.
2. Expand the section by clicking anywhere in the section field, or on the arrow on the right side. You can also use the arrow to collapse the section.
3. From the drop-down menu, select the curve that matches the failure pattern. Use the table above or the descriptions shown in the curve options.
4. Click Save when you finish.
5. Collapse the section.
Related features
Failure Curve Analysis is commonly used in EWO (Emergency Work Order) project types, alongside Description of Repairs, Root Cause Analysis and MTTR.