One of our most anticipated releases, Relyence 2017 Release 2 is now available. This release builds on our solid engineering application toolset to round out our product line with new impressive modules and a host of exciting new features.

We are proud to introduce Relyence RBD (Reliability Block Diagram), as well as to announce support for the Telcordia, China’s GJB/z 299C, and MIL-HDBK-217 Parts Count reliability prediction standards. These new developments add even more power and capability to our suite of FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis), FRACAS (Failure Reporting, Analysis, and Corrective Action System), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), and Reliability Prediction based on MIL-HDBK-217 products.

Reliability Prediction Enhancements

Relyence Reliability Prediction now supports the most accepted set of standards:

• MIL-HDBK-217 Part Stress
• MIL-HDBK-217 Parts Count
• Telcordia Issue 4
• China’s GJB/z 299C Part Stress
• China’s GJB/z 299C Parts Count

Reliability Prediction Telcordia Standard

Telcordia Issue 4 is the latest Telcordia Reliability Prediction standard. Telcordia is commonly used in the commercial sector, but its use over the years has become increasingly widespread and it is now used throughout a broad range of industries, including aerospace, defense, automotive, railway, oil & gas, medical devices, and manufacturing.

Some unique features of Telcordia include:

• Models for components not found in MIL-HDBK-217, such as lithium batteries, hard disk drives, AC/DC power supplies, gyroscopes, and many more.
• Early life calculations to help analyze failure rates during initial product introduction, or the early life phase, when infant mortality rates are a factor. Relyence enables you to see a projection of your first year failure profiles based on the calculated early life parameters.
• Augmenting failure rates based on data obtained from laboratory test data. By factoring in test data information, your predictions are weighted according to the amount of test data you have.
• Augmenting failure rates based on data obtained from fielded products. By adjusting your failure rates based on this real-world information, your predictions will more accurately reflect your product performance.

MIL-HDBK-217 Reliability Prediction Parts Count Models

Relyence Reliability Prediction now supports both the MIL-HDBK-217 Parts Count and China’s GJB/z 299 Parts Count models. Parts Count analyses are useful in early design stages when the design is still in process and not all operating parameters are known. They do not require as many data parameters for analysis compared to Part Stress predictions. Parts Count analyses can be used as an estimation technique, and, in general, are not as accurate as Part Stress analyses. By using Parts Count models, you can obtain early failure rate assessments and then refine them as your product design becomes more finalized.

Once you are ready for the full Part Stress calculations, Relyence makes the move from Parts Count to Part Stress models a seamless experience. You simply change your underlying model to Part Stress and begin adding in the additional data to the Parts Count data you already entered.

Reliability Prediction Customized Calculation Parameters

With Relyence Reliability Prediction, you are not required to enter data for all necessary parameters in order to compute failure rates. Any data that’s left blank is automatically set to values that correspond to “average” operation. These defaults are based on Parts Count standard values, or other typical usage settings.

Now with Relyence Reliability Prediction 2017 Release 2, you can customize these calculation default values if you prefer. You can pick and choose which default values you customize; anything not customized will still use the Relyence settings. Simply select the part type and data value you want to set using the My Defaults feature.

Reliability Prediction Model Extensibility

Relyence supports the concept of model extensibility. This means that you can use the unique capabilities in any standard across all models in any way you choose.

For example, the types of parts modeled in each standard vary – there is a great deal of overlap, but in some cases there are part types unique to a particular standard. With Relyence Reliability Prediction, you are not constrained by the list of parts in one standard: as long as the part is modeled in one standard, it is available in all. So you can select MIL-HDBK-217 as your main prediction standard, but if your analysis includes a component not present in MIL-HDBK-217, but is available in Telcordia, you simply designate that that component utilize the Telcordia standard for analysis.

Also, you can combine features across models. For example, Telcordia includes calculation adjustment equations for incorporating laboratory test data and/or field data into reliability predictions. With model extensibility, you can use that same methodology in your MIL-HDBK-217 analysis.

The value of model extensibility means that your reliability predictions are more complete, more accurate, and ultimately more valuable in helping you to achieve your product reliability goals.

Introducing Relyence Reliability Block Diagram (RBD)!

Relyence is proud to introduce the Relyence RBD module in Relyence 2017 Release 2. This is one of our most exciting new additions to the Relyence product lineup!

Relyence RBD combines a visually impressive, easy-to-use diagramming front end with a powerful behind-the-scenes calculation engine. The power of Relyence RBD lies not only in the ability to create complex diagrams with ease, but also in the ability to provide a comprehensive set of calculation options and metrics for reliability assessment.

You begin by constructing your block diagram using our intuitive RBD editor. Using our built-in smart layout abilities, your resulting diagrams are automatically drawn in a well-organized and efficient manner. Relyence RBD is designed to make sure you are spending your time where it matters most: in performing reliability analysis and achieving your reliability objectives, not struggling with inefficient diagramming utilities. You can add images to your block diagram for additional impact and visual clarity.

Once your diagram is complete, you then engage the high-powered RBD calculation engine to complete your reliability overview. The RBD calculation engine automatically optimizes the calculations that are required in order to provide you with accurate metrics using the most efficient computational approach.

Analyzing Redundant Systems

Relyence RBD has a wide range of advantages that make it a powerful addition to your reliability toolset. One of the most outstanding features is the support for analyzing the effect of redundant system configurations. Relyence RBD supports series, hot standby, cold standby, and parallel redundant configurations. In some cases, the effects of adding redundancy to your design can have dramatic effects on reliability. Relyence RBD can help you can assess the impact of various scenarios, perform “What-If?” calculations, and evaluate design alternatives to come up with the best overall approach that meets your objectives.

Relyence RBD also support sub-diagrams to allow you to manage, organize, and maintain your RBDs. This is helpful with larger block diagrams, or to support reuse in cases where a subsystem may be used in more than one place. Navigation is easy and allows for compact diagrams to represent complex layouts.

RBD Failure and Repair Distributions

Relyence RBD allows you to specify the failure and repair profiles of your components by supporting a powerful set of widely known distributions. Relyence RBD supports the following distributions:

• Constant Time
• Exponential
• Gumbel+
• Gumbel-
• Lognormal
• Normal
• Rayleigh
• Time Independent
• Uniform
• Weibull

RBD Performance Metrics

The Relyence RBD calculation engine allows you to select from a broad list of metrics to compute. The calculation engine includes the ability to perform exact, analytical calculations if possible, or engage the Monte Carlo simulation engine if necessary. Relyence RBD also allows you to always utilize the simulation engine if you prefer. Relyence RBD supports the following list of reliability metrics:

• Reliability
• Failure Rate
• Availability
• Mean Availability
• Hazard Rate
• Total Downtime
• Unreliability
• Equivalent Failure Rate
• Unavailability
• Mean Unavailability
• Failure Frequency
• MTTF
• MTTR
• MTBF
• Steady-state Availability
• Path Sets

The Relyence RBD module is coupled with the Relyence RBD Dashboard to provide an at-a-glance overview of your reliability and availability measures from your block diagram analyses. As with all Relyence Dashboards, the Relyence RBD Dashboard offers the ability to monitor and manage your reliability block diagram metrics, enabling you to quickly gauge system health and proactively maintain your reliability objectives.

Relyence RBD is part of the integrated Relyence platform, so your Relyence RBDs can access metrics from your other Relyence modules. You can link your RBD blocks to subsystems in Relyence Reliability Prediction, so failure rate values can be automatically obtained from your prediction analyses.

Relyence RBD is a welcome addition to the Relyence Suite – another product showcasing the advantages of the Relyence Solution!

Relyence 2017 Release 2

Relyence 2017 Release 2 continues to build on the list of standout Relyence features that have been part of the Relyence suite from the beginning. At Relyence, our mission is produce best-in-class solutions to provide you with the tools you need to meet and exceed your reliability goals. We design with you in mind: our tools are well crafted, well designed, and supported with best-in-class customer service.

Our new Relyence Reliability Prediction features and our brand-new Relyence RBD module still maintain our core capabilities and take them to the next level:

• Anytime, anywhere access: Relyence’s zero-client, web-based approach allows you to access your data anytime, anywhere.
• Device independence: Supporting any OS, browser, or device, Relyence’s responsive, cleanly designed applications can be accessed from your desktop computer, your tablet, your iPad, and even your smartphone.
• Smart delivery: You choose the best method for your deployment – cloud hosted, private cloud hosted, or on-premise.
• Design elegance: We believe in designing, developing, and delivering amazing products. This means you’ll find that the Relyence tools are the most intuitive and advanced analysis tools available.
• Improved collaboration: Relyence’s applications are designed from the start to support team collaboration. We recognize the ever-increasing demands of today’s distributed workforce and fast-paced environment and have built our tools to handle these situations.
• No training requirements: Our well-crafted interface and intuitive design allow you to jump right in and start performing analyses in no time. Additionally, our support team consistently goes above and beyond.

Free Trial

Relyence offers a free fully functional trial of Relyence 2017 Release 2. You can register today for a free trial. Feel free to contact us, or call today at 724-832-1900 to speak to us directly about your requirements or to schedule a free webinar.