Clustering of Event Sequences for Failure Root Cause Analysis
Pradipta Sarkar · Quality Engineering · 2004
Many types of complex electromechanical equipment exhibit several (often hundreds) fault states. When there are so many fault states, it is often very difficult to know the root cause of failure from a purely engineering consideration. We have developed a technique based on the analysis of the sequence of events preceding the failure state to classify large numbers of failure types into a smaller number of categories. These categories, when investigated closely enough, might reveal the actual causes of such failures. In doing so, we will be able to assign certain root causes to each of these groups of failure types. From the maintenance department's point of view, this approach has a tremendous benefit because when a fault occurs the repairperson/service mechanic will have clear knowledge about what is the most likely cause of failure and hence he/she can act accordingly (instead of just trying things blindly or based on his/her own subjective judgment).