Inspection-planning development: an evolutionary approach using reliability engineering as a tool

This paper proposes an evolutionary approach for inspection planning which introduces various reliability engineering tools into the inspection planning process and assesses system tradeoffs among reliability, engineering requirements, manufacturing capability, and inspection cost to establish an optimal inspection plan. The examples presented illustrate some advantages and benefits of the new approach. Through the analysis, reliability and engineering impacts due to the manufacturing process capability and inspection uncertainty are clearly understood; the most cost-effective and efficient inspection plan can be established and associated risks are well controlled; some inspection reductions and relaxations are well justified; and design feedbacks and changes may be initiated to further enhance reliability and reduce cost. The approach is particularly promising as global competition and customer quality expectations are rapidly increasing