Integration of fault tree analysis, reliability block diagram and hazard decision tree for industrial robot reliability evaluation
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to conduct a comprehensive fault tree analysis (FTA) on the critical components of industrial robots. This analysis is integrated with the reliability block diagram (RBD) approach to investigate the robot system reliability.
Design/methodology/approach
For practical implementation, a particular autonomous guided vehicle (AGV) system was first modeled. Then, FTA was adopted to model the causes of failures, enabling the probability of success to be determined. In addition, RBD was used to simplify the complex system of the AGV for reliability evaluation purpose.
Findings
Hazard decision tree (HDT) was configured to compute the hazards of each component and the whole AGV robot system. Through this research, a promising technical approach was established, allowing decision-makers to identify the critical components of AGVs along with their crucial hazard phases at the design stage.
Originality/value
As complex systems have become global and essential in today’s society, their reliable design and determination of their availability have turned into very important tasks for managers and engineers. Industrial robots are examples of these complex systems that are being increasingly used for intelligent transportation, production and distribution of materials in warehouses and automated production lines.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by Iran National Elites Foundation.
Citation
Fazlollahtabar, H. and Akhavan Niaki, S.T. (2017), "Integration of fault tree analysis, reliability block diagram and hazard decision tree for industrial robot reliability evaluation", Industrial Robot, Vol. 44 No. 6, pp. 754-764. https://doi.org/10.1108/IR-06-2017-0103
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited