Preface to the Third Edition

The new industrial revolution has been driven mainly by the continuing improvements in quality and productivity in nearly all industrial sectors. The key to success in every case has been the complete integration of the processes that influence quality and reliability, in product specification, design, test, manufacture, and support. The other essential has been the understanding and control of variation, in the many ways in which it can affect product performance, cost and reliability. Teachers such as W. E. Deming and G. Taguchi have continued to grow in stature and following as these imperatives become increasingly the survival kit of modern industry.

I tried to stress these factors in the second edition, but I have now given them greater prominence. I have emphasized the use of statistical experimentation for preventing problems, not just for solving them, and the topic is now described as a design and development activity. I have added to the chapter on production quality assurance, to include process improvement methods and more information on process control techniques. These chapters, and the chapter on management, have all been enlarged to emphasize the integration of engineering effort to identify, minimize and reduce variation and its effects. The important work of Taguchi and Shainin is described, for the first time in this book. Chris Gray gave me much valuable help in describing the Taguchi method.

I have updated several chapters, particularly those on electronic systems reliability. I have also added a new chapter on reliability of mechanical components and systems. I would like to thank Professor Dennis Carter for his advice on this chapter.

I have taken the opportunity to restructure the book, to reflect better the main sequence of engineering development, whilst stressing the importance of an integrated, iterative approach.

I have once more been helped by many people who have contributed kind criticisms of the earlier edition, and I have tried to take these into account. I also would like to record with thanks my continuing debt to Norman Harris for his contributions to bridging the gap between engineering and statistics, and for helping me to express his ideas.

Finally, my heartfelt thanks go to my wife and boys for their forebearance, patience, and support. Having an author at home must place severe demands on love and tolerance.

PATRICK O'CONNOR

1990