Fault-frequency prediction of chassis components for heavy-duty trucks

This paper describes a routine for prediction of fault frequency in the product development process of heavy duty trucks. When a new truck has left the assembly line and has passed the last check satisfactory, it will have a so called GREEN OK, which means the vehicle is approved to be put into service. In spite of all preventive actions, failures may occur more or less from the first year. As the first and second years are the warranty years, all failures will be reported to the dealer and manufacturer for action accordingly. These claims are presented as fault-frequency during the first and second years. Together with the failure cost they are input for corrective actions in a so-called Problem Solving Process. The fault-frequency development is carefully monitored on quartile basis by the company's management. The specific corrective actions taken in order to solve a specific problem and its cause are calculated, which effect it has to reduce the specific problem and the fault-frequency consequently.