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FMEA — Failure Mode & Effects Analysis

Optional but recommended for high-risk subsystems (climber, elevator, shooter).

For each mechanism, list every way it can fail, rate severity/likelihood/detectability, and multiply for a Risk Priority Number (RPN). Highest RPN items get design mitigations.


Subsystem: Owner (student): Date:

Rating Scales

  • Severity (S), 1–10: 1 = cosmetic, 5 = subsystem stops working, 10 = robot disqualified or damaged.
  • Likelihood (L), 1–10: 1 = essentially never, 5 = once a competition, 10 = every match.
  • Detectability (D), 1–10: 1 = detected before it matters (sensor + code), 10 = only found after failure.
  • RPN = S × L × D. Items with RPN ≥ 100 require mitigation.

Table

# Failure Mode Effect on Robot S L D RPN Mitigation Owner
1 e.g., "belt jumps teeth under load" intake stops 6 4 6 144 tensioner + preflight torque check + spare belt
2

Mitigations Assigned

# Mitigation Owner Due
1

Sign-off

  • Subsystem Owner: ____
  • Mechanical Mentor: ____

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