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AIAG-VDA PFMEA Method (FMEA Handbook 2019)

Reference for process-fmea-builder · 61 lines

Seven steps

StepContentOutput
1 Planning and preparationScope, team, timing (5T: intent, timing, team, tasks, tools)Project plan
2 Structure analysisProcess item -> process steps -> process work elements (4M: man, machine, material, environment)Structure tree from the process flow diagram
3 Function analysisFunctions and requirements (product and process characteristics) for each elementFunction net
4 Failure analysisFailure chain: effect (at the next level / customer) - failure mode (step) - cause (work element)Failure net
5 Risk analysisCurrent prevention and detection controls; rate S, O, D; Action PriorityRatings, AP
6 OptimisationActions to reduce O (prevention) and improve D (detection); owners, dates; re-rateAction plan
7 Results documentationReport, communication to customer, link to control planFMEA report

Rating guidance (process)

RatingSeverity (effect)Occurrence (prevention effectiveness)Detection (detection ability)
10Safety or regulatory noncompliance without warningVery high: no preventionNo detection or not analysed
9Safety / regulatory with warningNot likely to detect (random audits)
7-8Loss or degradation of primary function; 100% scrap / line shutdownHigh: prevention known but ineffectiveVisual / manual inspection, low detection
4-6Loss of secondary function; rework, partial scrapModerate: prevention partly effectiveVariable gauging, SPC with human reaction; post-process
2-3Appearance / noise noticed by some customersLow: proven prevention, few occurrencesAutomatic detection downstream / in-station
1No discernible effectExtremely low: error-proofed by design or processError-proofing prevents the failure mode (cannot be made)

Use the handbook tables (and customer modifications) for the exact criteria. Two rules prevent most rating errors:

  • D 1-3 requires an automatic or error-proofing detection control. Visual inspection is never better than about D7.
  • O 1-2 requires a proven prevention control (error-proofed design or process, history).

Action Priority table (S band x O band x D band -> H / M / L)

SOD 7-10D 5-6D 2-4D 1
9-108-10HHHH
9-106-7HHHH
9-104-5HHHM
9-102-3HMLL
9-101LLLL
7-88-10HHHH
7-86-7HHHM
7-84-5HMMM
7-82-3MMLL
7-81LLLL
4-68-10HHMM
4-66-7MMML
4-64-5MLLL
4-62-3LLLL
4-61LLLL
2-38-10MMLL
2-36-7 and lowerLLLL
1anyLLLL

H: action required to improve prevention and/or detection, or justification documented and approved. M: action should be taken, or justification documented. L: action could be taken.

AP vs RPN

RPN = S x O x D weights the three ratings equally, so S10 O2 D3 (60) ranks below S4 O5 D5 (100). AP puts severity first, then occurrence, then detection. pfmea_ap.py reports both so legacy customers that still ask for RPN can be served, but prioritise by AP.

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