A More Reasonable Definition of Failure Mode for Mechanical Systems Using Meta-Action

Abstract

Identification of failure modes is a vital work in the process of failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA). Since the traditional failure mode is defined as a specific function failure or a part failure, there are uncountable failure modes for mechanical products. Then, it is too hard to list or predict all of the potential failure modes when we do FMEA on a machine. Besides, the same failure can be defined as a failure mode or a failure cause casually, which makes the analysis work stuck. To solve these problems, we propose a meta-action failure mode in this paper. A machine is decomposed into meta-action units based on the meta-action concept, and the abnormal motion performance of the unit is defined as the meta-action failure mode. All the potential failure modes of meta-actions and the expressions are given in theory. To verify the practicality and advantages of the proposed method, an illustrative example is provided. The results show that the meta-action failure mode can overcome these problems in traditional failure modes and simplify the FMEA process. INDEX TERMS Failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA), reliability analysis, motion failure, meta-action, mechanical product.

Failure mode and effects analysis using function–motion–action decomposition method and integrated risk priority number for mechatronic products

“…It is more reasonable and effective for reliability analysis and reliability allocation of electromechanical products. 33,60 With regard to CNC machine tools, they are typical electromechanical products and integrate multiply techniques to accomplish the desired functions. Through implementing the FMA decomposition method to CNC machine tools, we could obtain substantial meta-action units.…”

“…However, failure modes in mechatronic systems are usually confused with failure causes, thanks to not strict demarcation between failure mode and failure cause. 33 Therefore, a function-motion-action (FMA) decomposition method extraordinarily suitable for mechatronic products or systems is proposed to identify failure modes from the perspective of motion, in which the fundamental and minimum motion is garnered and named as meta-action with two kinds that are translation and rotation meta-actions. Six basic failure modes are identified in light of the output properties of the meta-action whether meets its requirement or not, which encompass no action, speed insufficient, speed excessive, position insufficient, position excessive and fluctuation excessive.…”

“…The initial task in FMEA is to identify failure modes, but many studies do not include this step but implement only risk assessment. However, failure modes in mechatronic systems are usually confused with failure causes, thanks to not strict demarcation between failure mode and failure cause 33 . Therefore, a function–motion–action (FMA) decomposition method extraordinarily suitable for mechatronic products or systems is proposed to identify failure modes from the perspective of motion, in which the fundamental and minimum motion is garnered and named as meta‐action with two kinds that are translation and rotation meta‐actions.…”

A Hybrid Multilevel FTA-FMEA Method for a Flexible Manufacturing Cell Based on Meta-Action and TOPSIS

“…Li et al [31] studied the error propagation mechanism of the meta-action assembly unit. Yu et al [32] proposed a novel definition of failure mode for mechanical systems based on meta-action. Li et al [33] studied the reliability and modal of the key meta-action in computerized numerical control (CNC) machine tool.…”

Cascading Fault Analysis and Control Strategy for Computer Numerical Control Machine Tools Based on Meta Action

“…The force and motion relationship between all relevant parts is established by the MA. In this paper, a unit that is relatively independent in structure and achieves certain action goals that are controllable and need not (cannot) be subdivided is called an MA [25]. If a machine center is to achieve various part processing procedures, the B-axis worktable must be able to lift and rotate positively.…”