MESH LRCM provides an image gallery associated with each Failure Mode. The reason for this feature is directly related to practical Reliability Analysis (RA) which is why it is unique to LRCM. It is essential, for purposes of RA that the technician report Failures, Potential Failures, and Suspensions consistently. But how to distinguish between a Potential Failure and a Suspension?
Image Gallery for Suspension and Failure discrimination:
For example, consider a worn hose that is replaced preventively. It is still fully functional. Should this event, for purposes of RA, be reported as a Potential Failure or a Suspension? One technician might consider this level of wear as “Failed”. Another may consider its life as having been “Suspended”. Where to draw the line? The answer is that this must be an organizational standard arrived at progressively by consensus. By definition a Suspension is the preventive renewal of an item (Failure Mode) which still has an indeterminate amount of useful life left in it. Because this decision is subjective, the images make the process of establishing standards for distinguishing Suspension and Failure easy. Everyone will know what the corporate standard is because it is described through the images associated with each Failure Mode. Furthermore, anyone can suggest making the standard more or less stringent.[1] Why is discriminating between Failure and Suspension so important? Because that is the only way the RA software can do what it is designed to do – to use the history of instances of Failures and Suspensions for reliability analysis, thereby enabling the development and refinement of prediction and optimal decision models.
Simultaneously viewing images and Failure Mode descriptive text:
When populating the work order it is advantageous to view the relevant gallery images and the Failure Mode text simultaneously. This communication and comprehension feature ensures accuracy of Failure Mode and Event Type selection as well as increasing efficiency in updating knowledge[2].
Image gallery and simulaneious view of associated Failure Mode text