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Proposal of a facilitating methodology for fuzzy FMEA implementation with application in process risk analysis in the aeronautical sector

Bianca Arcifa de Resende (School of Mechanical Engineering, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil)
Franco Giuseppe Dedini (School of Mechanical Engineering, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil)
Jony Javorsky Eckert (School of Mechanical Engineering, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil)
Tiago F.A.C. Sigahi (Institute of Science and Technology, Federal University of Alfenas, Poços de Caldas, Brazil)
Jefferson de Souza Pinto (Federal Institute of Education Science and Technology of São Paulo, Bragança Paulista, Brazil) (School of Mechanical Engineering, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil)
Rosley Anholon (School of Mechanical Engineering, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil)

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management

ISSN: 0265-671X

Article publication date: 24 October 2023

Issue publication date: 14 March 2024

241

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to propose a facilitating methodology for the application of Fuzzy FMEA (Failure Mode and Effect Analysis), comparing the traditional approach with fuzzy variations, supported by a case application in the aeronautical sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on experts' opinions in risk analysis within the aeronautical sector, rules governing the relationship between severity, occurrence, detection and risk factor were defined. This served as input for developing a fuzzyfied FMEA tool using the Matlab Fuzzy Logic Toolbox. The tool was applied to the sealing process in a company within the aeronautical sector, using triangular and trapezoidal membership functions, and the results were compared with the traditional FMEA approach.

Findings

The results of the comparative application of traditional FMEA and fuzzyfied FMEA using triangular and trapezoidal functions have yielded valuable insights into risk analysis. The findings indicated that fuzzyfied FMEA maintained coherence with the traditional analysis in identifying higher-risk effects, aligning with the prioritization of critical failure modes. Additionally, fuzzyfied FMEA allowed for a more refined prioritization by accounting for variations in each variable through fuzzy rules, thereby improving the accuracy of risk analysis and providing a more realistic representation of potential hazards. The application of the developed fuzzyfied FMEA approach showed promise in enhancing risk assessment in the aeronautical sector by considering uncertainties and offering a more detailed and context-specific analysis compared to conventional FMEA.

Practical implications

This study emphasizes the potential of fuzzyfied FMEA in enhancing risk assessment by accurately identifying critical failure modes and providing a more realistic representation of potential hazards. The application case reveals that the proposed tool can be integrated with expert knowledge to improve decision-making processes and risk mitigation strategies within the aeronautical industry. Due to its straightforward approach, this facilitating methodology could also prove beneficial in other industrial sectors.

Originality/value

This paper presents the development and application of a facilitating methodology for implementing Fuzzy FMEA, comparing it with the traditional approach and incorporating variations using triangular and trapezoidal functions. This proposed methodology uses the Toolbox Fuzzy Logic of Matlab to create a fuzzyfied FMEA tool, enabling a more nuanced and context-specific risk analysis by considering uncertainties.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for the support of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq/Brazil) under the grants no 304145/2021-1 and no 303924/2021-7.

Citation

Resende, B.A.d., Dedini, F.G., Eckert, J.J., Sigahi, T.F.A.C., Pinto, J.d.S. and Anholon, R. (2024), "Proposal of a facilitating methodology for fuzzy FMEA implementation with application in process risk analysis in the aeronautical sector", International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, Vol. 41 No. 4, pp. 1063-1088. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQRM-07-2023-0237

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited

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