Quality and Reliability Methods - SAS

Chapter 16 Degradation 279
Overview of the Degradation Platform
Overview of the Degradation Platform
In reliability analyses, the primary objective is to model the failure times of the product under study. In
many situations, these failures occur because the product degrades (weakens) over time. But, sometimes
failures do not occur. In these situations, modeling the product degradation over time is helpful in making
predictions about failure times.
The Degradation platform can model data that follows linear or nonlinear degradation paths. If a path is
nonlinear, transformations are available to linearize the path. If linearization is not possible, you can specify
a nonlinear model.
You can also use the Degradation platform to perform stability analysis. Three types of linear models are fit,
and an expiration date is estimated. Stability analysis is used in setting pharmaceutical product expiration
dates.
Launching the Degradation Platform
To launch the Degradation platform, select Analyze > Reliability and Survival > Degradation. Figure 16.2
shows the Degradation launch window using the GaAs Laser.jmp data table (located in the Reliability
folder).
Figure 16.2 Degradation Launch Window
Table 16.1 describes features of the Degradation launch window.
Table 16.1 Explanation of Degradation Launch Window
Role
Explanation
Y, Response Assign the column with degradation measurements.
Time
Assign the column containing the time values.