Less reliability and maintainability . . . not more . . . is better (effectively applying R&M influence to the design process)

The authors offer a solution, implemented at Hughes Aircraft Company, to the problem of lack of communication between those responsible for reliability and maintainability and the design community. The solution, the supportability design evaluation system (SDES), recognizes that the result of effective communication can be achieved by reducing the need to communicate. This solution embeds reliability and maintainability analytical tools directly into the designer's CAD/CAE (computer-aided design/engineering) workstations. This provides the designer with online capability to evaluate his design in process and to capture reliability and maintainability improvements before metal is cut or mind-sets are established, and while time is available to do so.<>