A novel efficient approach for DFMEA combining 2-tuple and the OWA operator

Design Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (DFMEA) is the application of the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) method specifically to product design. DFMEA is not only an important risk assessment technique but also a major task for enterprises in implementing production management. The purpose is to ensure that the product can achieve its designed functions under specific operating conditions. Most current DFMEA methods use the Risk Priority Number (RPN) value to evaluate the risk of failure. However, conventional RPN methodology has the serious problem of measurement scales and loses some valued information, which experts have to provide. In order to improve the method of RPN evaluation, this paper proposes a novel technique, combining 2-tuple and the Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA) operator for prioritization of failures in a product DFMEA. A case of the Color Super Twisted Nematic (CSTN) that has been drawn from a midsized manufacturing factory is presented to further illustrate the proposed approach. After comparing the result that was obtained from the proposed method with the other two listed approaches, it was found that the proposed approach can effectively solve the problem of measurement scales and has not lost any expert to provide the useful information. As a result, stability of the product and process can be assured. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.