Optimization and

Reliability
Mihir Kale u5182047
Zhaolin Liu u5355870
Yoke Fung u5139148
Ding Zhang u5611850
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Introduction to Optimization and
Reliability
Optimization
- used to understand the relationship between
two (or more) variables to ultilise the system
effectively

Reliability
- optimizing the system while maintain the
reliability.

Background Theory
Pareto Principle
- to determine the most important
variables/factors

Bathtube Curve
- to understand the likelihood of a system's
failure over its lifespan


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Activity 1- Time Management
Question
- How much time do you spend in the following
activities in percentage?

Requirements
- Split into four groups
- carry out the "time management" with handouts
distributed.



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Example computer failures?
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Source: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/how-to-tech/how-to-donate-
computer.htm
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Early-stage Failures
- Faulty component (i.e.
faulty microprocessor)
- Improper assembly
- Short circuit
Random Failures
- File corrupts
- Browser freezes
- Driver failure
- Blue screen
Wear-out Failures
- Keyboard losing
sensitivity
- Screen losing pixels
- Mechanical cracks
- Dust on the circuit
board
Source: http://nomtbf.com/2012/05/the-drain-in-the-bathtub-curve/
Bathtub Curve and Reliability
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Bathtub Curve Another example (F4U
Corsair)
- Landing gear
problems
- Spin issues
- Engine fatigue
- Instruments become
inaccurate
- Oil overheats more
frequently
Canopy jammed; guns jammed; radio failure
Pareto Principle
The 80-20 rule:

Unequal relationship between inputs and outputs;
For many events, 80% of the efects come from 20%
of the causes;
Allows to focus on the important aspects;
Many applications on optimization process.

Pareto Principle: Applications
Business:

80% of the sales volume: 20% of the products;
20% of the products: 80% of warehouse space;
80% of production: 20% of employees;
80% of revenue: 20% of the customers;
80% complaints: 20% of the clients.
Pareto Principle: Applications
Software:

Microsoft: by fixing the top 20% of the most-reported
bugs, 80% of the related errors and crashes in a given
system would be eliminated.

Lowell Arthur: 20% of the code has 80% of the errors.
Find them, fix them!
Pareto Chart
Seven basic tools of
quality;

Sorts the frequencies of
occurrences: prioritization
of problems (ABC
Analysis);

Highlight the most
important among a set of
factors.

Analysis of Results
Time management activity
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Optimisation and Design of
Experiments (DoE)
a) What is Optimisation?

b) Example of optimisation?
What time do we get up in the morning so that we maximize the amount of
sleep yet still make it to work on time?
What is the best route to work?
Optimal amount of daily exercise
Minimal amount of insulation for a greenhouse
Getting the correct settings on a monitor

How to optimise?
Mathematical process (Difficult)
Design of experiments

Design of Experiments
Goal
Relatable variable
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Design of Experiments example: Paper
Plane

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Design of Experiments (continued)
Step 1
What is the goal? What are the factors(variables) that would affect the desired
output(goal)?

Step 2
Determine the settings of the variable

Step 3
Create a table and record the results

Step 4
Extract the effects of each variables on the output by calculating the gradient

Step 5
Plot a graph of each variables against the output

Step 6
Construct Pareto chart

Take Home Message/s
To demonstrate how to use Pareto
approach to optimise the biggest problem
at hand
Explaining the Bathtub Curve and how can
it be applied to an engineering technology
(i.e. computer)?
Participants should know how to create an
experiment and vary relevant variables to
achieve the desired output

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Conclusion to Optimization and
Reliability
Optimization
- Is the process of making something
better. Once a idea is conjured, the
engineers (us) use optimization to improve
on that idea
Reliability
- Is effectively trying to optimize the
system, at the same time keeping it
reliable
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Thank you for listening!
Reference:
http://nomtbf.com/2012/05/the-drain-in-the-
bathtub-curve
Leavengood, S., and Reeb, J., 2002, Pareto
Analysis and Check Sheets

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