Brooks Instrument Resource
Brooks Instrument: Understanding Mean Time Between Failure for Process Instrumentation
Brooks Instruments not only pays close attention to detail in the quality of their products but goes unmatched in the longevity of how well they last over time. They use Mean Time Between Failure rates as a marker that gauge how they lead the industry in maximum uptime between failures. What does this really mean? If you are using Brooks Meters or Controllers you can be assured that you will get maximized uptake in using your device compared to the competition. Let’s take a deeper dive into how Steve Kannengieszer explains what is MTBF and how does Brooks stack up to the competition.
The following article was written by Brooks Instrument / Steve Kannengieszer. Brooks Instrument is a valued supplier-partner with Cross Company’s Flow and Safety Technologies Group.
Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) is a measure of the reliability of a hardware product, component or system. MTBF is largely based on assumptions and the definition of failure and attention to these details is important for proper interpretation. For complex, repairable systems, failures are considered to be those conditions which place the device or system out of service and into a state for repair. Failures that can be left in an unrepaired condition, and do not place the device or system out of service, are not considered failures under this definition. In addition, units that are taken down for routine scheduled maintenance or inventory control are not considered within the definition of failure.
The MTBF should not be confused with the life expectance. An example is the best way to describe the difference. All humans have a life expectance of 80 years or 700,800 hours. However, the human body fails at different rates depending on its age.
There are 500,000 25-year-old humans in a sample population. Over the course of a year, data is collected on deaths for this population. Throughout the year, 625 people died. The MTBF is (500,000/625) x 24 x 365 = 7,008,000 hours (800 years). So, eventhough 25-year-old humans have high MTBF values, their life expectancy (service life) is much shorter and does not correlate.
How is MTBF Calculated?
The Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) of a product is determined using this equation [1].
F = number of failures per year divided by the number of units shipped per year
How Do Brooks Instrument Mass Flow Controllers Stack up?
With the largest installed base of thermal mass flow controllers and mass flow meters around the world, Brooks’ flow meters provide significant advantages in long term stability, response time, accuracy, repeatability, turndown, self-diagnostics and application flexibility.
Brooks Mass Flow Controllers and Mass Flow Meters offer:
- Industry-leading long term stability ensuring consistent process results over the life of the device and a longer period between recalibrations
- Self diagnostics and alarms minimize downtime
- Multiple communication protocols allow easy integration into many control systems
- Analog I/O devices allow for quick and easy system integration
- Elastomer seal option provides good leak integrity and control valve shutoff dependability
- Global approvals for a variety of service areas
Brooks Instrument mass flow devices have industry leading mean time between failure (MTBF) which provides the user with maximum up time. MTBF for several SLA Series mass flow controller models is shown to the left.
This MTBF information is based on actual shipments and warranty returns over a 1.5 year period. This period includes the infant mortality phase shown in the “bathtub curve” to the right and as a result likely underestimates the MTBF.
[1] W. Torell & V. Avelar; “Mean Time Between Failure: Explanation and Standards”; APC White paper #78.
Are you interested in learning more? Fill out our contact form with some details of your application and we’ll have a specialist get in touch! Our experts can help you determine the right flow meter for your application. Also, learn more about the Brooks Instrument products and solutions offered by Cross.
