In this module, you will develop an understanding of quality engineering techniques and their application in industry. In particular, you will become familiar with analysis tools and techniques used to design reliable products while also developing an appreciation of the management of reliability in engineering programs.  

LO1. Define, select and apply appropriate measures of quality engineering.

LO2. Critically analyse the outcome of applying quality engineering techniques and recommend solutions to given industrial scenarios. 

LO3. Systematically explain and define statistical tools used in reliability engineering. 

LO4. Examine reliability engineering problems to apply suitable reliability analysis tools and critically assess their effectiveness based on outcomes produced. 

The module will be delivered through a blend of face-to-face teaching (such as lectures, guided study, tutorials, and formative feedback sessions), and online learning material (such as recorded lectures, quizzes, numerical examples and sample tutorial problems). These are used to explain and demonstrate the principles of quality and reliability identified within the learning outcomes of the module. Industrial case studies are reviewed in class sessions to support this understanding. 

Throughout the module, you will develop your independent and critical thinking skills in this subject-specific field. You will need to: 

• Analyse failure data for a variety of cases. 

• Apply design review and reliability prediction techniques. 

• Synthesise problems and prepare solutions. 

You will also develop strengthen your commercial awareness via the ability to classify industrial considerations for reliability and maintainability issues and to have a greater appreciation of quality engineering strategies, practices and applications. 

The module is assessed through a two-hour examination (LO 1-4) scheduled during the Spring Semester Examination Period. The examination paper contains 2 compulsory questions which are equally weighted.   

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE: 

The re-assessment for this module will consist in a 2-hour written examination. 

Opportunities for re-assessment is only permitted provided you have not failed more credit than in the resit rule adopted by your programme.  If the amount of credit you have failed is more than permitted by the relevant resit rule, you may be permitted to repeat study if you are within the threshold set for the Repeat rule adopted by your programme.  You will be notified of your eligibility to resit/repeat any modules after the Examining Board in the Summer period.  

All resit assessments will be held in the Resit Examination period, prior to the start of the following academic session. 

• Introduction to reliability engineering 

• Statistical and graphical failure data analysis methods 

• Reliability block diagrams and redundancy techniques 

• Design review methods 

• Reliability testing and demonstration 

• Management of reliability programs 

• Total Quality Management, Quality Costs, 

• Total Quality Control, Quality Function Deployment. 

• Design and process Optimisation (Taguchi Methods).