Fault Trees

Fault trees are a type of analytical tool used in rolling stock maintenance to identify the root causes of failures or malfunctions in a system. They are a graphical representation of the different components and subsystems of a system, and the different events and conditions that can lead to a failure. In a fault tree, the top event is the failure or malfunction that needs to be investigated. The tree is constructed by breaking down the components and subsystems that could contribute to the failure, and identifying the events and conditions that could cause them to fail. By constructing a fault tree, maintenance personnel can identify the most likely causes of a failure or malfunction, and develop strategies to prevent or mitigate them in the future. Fault trees can also be used to assess the risk of different failure scenarios, and prioritize maintenance activities accordingly.

An ExcelWraps Fault Trees are smarter than diagrammatic fault trees because they keep a record of how the fault tree diagram has been used over time. So, we not only identify the root causes of a fault but also calculate the % probability of each of the root causes occurring. Knowing the most likely root cause means maintenance teams find faults faster, thereby saving costs. The KPIs for this solution include a count of which fault trees are used, and for each fault tree the % occurrence of its root causes.

One client explained that sometimes recovering a train blocking a line in adverse weather can be extremely challenging. He was reassured to find that Team Wraps can be shared by a number of people, one man on the track in arctic conditions and another senior technician following the progress of the work back at base. Working together the train is quickly recovered and the line cleared.

ExcelWraps offers a digital solution for fault tree workflows specifically designed for rolling stock maintenance. The solution streamlines the process of diagnosing, troubleshooting, and resolving faults in railway vehicles by providing a structured, easily accessible, and collaborative approach. Here's how the ExcelWraps fault tree workflow solution works:

  1. Cloud-based platform: The fault tree workflows are hosted on a secure, cloud-based platform that allows authorized users to access, create, and update fault trees from any device with an internet connection. This enables real-time collaboration and ensures the most up-to-date information is always available.
  2. Customizable fault tree templates: ExcelWraps provides customizable fault tree templates that can be tailored to fit the specific requirements and fault scenarios of different rolling stock types and maintenance procedures. This allows organizations to create fault trees that accurately represent their unique maintenance needs.
  3. Intuitive interface: The digital solution features an intuitive, user-friendly interface that allows users to create and edit fault trees, add or modify fault events, and define relationships between events easily. This simplifies the process of building and updating fault trees and makes them accessible to a wider range of personnel.
  4. Visual representation: The platform visually represents fault trees, displaying events and their relationships in a clear and organized manner. This helps users quickly identify the root causes of faults and determine the most effective corrective actions.
  5. Real-time tracking and updates: The digital fault tree solution enables real-time tracking of fault resolution progress, allowing users to monitor the status of each event and update the fault tree as new information becomes available or corrective actions are completed.
  6. Automatic notifications and alerts: The platform can send automatic notifications and alerts to relevant personnel when updates are made to fault trees, when specific milestones are reached, or when urgent attention is required. This ensures timely communication and prompt action.
  7. Integration capabilities: ExcelWraps' fault tree workflow solution can be integrated with existing maintenance management systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, and other software tools to enhance data sharing, communication, and overall maintenance efficiency.
  8. Data analytics and reporting: The digital fault tree solution generates valuable data that can be analysed and reported on to identify trends, recurring issues, and areas for improvement within the rolling stock maintenance process.

By implementing ExcelWraps' digital fault tree workflow solution, rolling stock maintenance teams can effectively modernize their fault diagnosis and troubleshooting processes, improve collaboration, and enhance the overall efficiency and effectiveness of their maintenance operations.