8/7/2012· Failure Analysis
Failure Analysis: Metal Fatigue of Automatic Machinery - Wafer Test Station
By: Dr. Thomas Read
During normal operation, the arm on an automatic wafer test station failed. Root cause failure analysis determined that the drive shaft on the right angle gear motor used to raise and lower the manipulator arm had failed first.
5/21/2012· Failure Analysis
Failure Analysis: Product Liability & Personal Injury Involving a Broken Grinding Wheel
By: Dr. Thomas Read
This grinding wheel was part of a product liability and personnel injury case. It was claimed that the subject wheel had unexpectedly failed (i.e. flown apart) and an escaping piece had hit the plaintiff in the face causing serious injuries. According to the user, the grinder with the wheel was purchased approximately one hour before the grinding wheel failure.
4/20/2022· Failure Analysis
Glass Coffee Pot Failure Analysis: Thermal Shock Failure Of Borosilicate Glass Coffee Carafe
By: Dr. Thomas Read
The fatigue failure initiated on the outside bottom where the carafe had been scratched with the abrasive scrub pad. As a result of cyclical thermal shock (between 195°C and 15°C), the cracks grew progressively till it reached a critical length. Glass thickness at the origins is approximately 3 mm. One failed after 12.
