Identification of Failure Modes in DFMEA Through Application of Integrated Model of Product Functions (PF) and 7 Potential Failure Modes (7PFM)

Identification of potential failure modes in DFMEA is the most crucial step which often takes time. Therefore, the team conducting DFMEA should have ready reference to easily identify potential failure modes. The purpose of this study is to introduce a model to identify potential failure modes when the functions of the product are known but the product is not realized. Model proposed in this research can be utilized for complex product/system with multiple sub-systems that has to carry out multifaceted functions. Proposed new model is amalgamation of 7PFM model with Product Function (PF) relationship concept. This new model is then utilized to identify potential failure modes during DFMEA conducted for a land munition system. A new approach of numbering the causes of failure modes based on their significance is also introduced in this study. Identified causes having high importance are further treated as different risks for which corrective actions are proposed in DFMEA. Our study through implementation of integrated model in land munition system suggests that the model helps in smooth identification of failure modes, saving of time in completing DFMEA, identifying causes effectively and determining various risks to the product.