MTBF Calculator

there is an equation for MTBF that uses the MTBF for each component. Most components makers provide this.

hunt through this lot

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=MTBF+%2Bequation+%2Bcalculation

Back in the 70's, I reckon for punishment, I was told to calculate the MTBF for a new Marconi Instrument...

It took a loonnnngggggggg time about 2 weeks and I ended up with a MTBF of 4½ hours!!!

The boss then moved me on to some different design work, saying that he didn't agree with my calculations...

John. (I hate statistics!!)

Get a copy of the RADC's[Rome Air Development Center] failure rate data book for electronic/non-electronic component parts, draw a functional block diagram and go for it. The RADC is locacated at the Rome Air force base in Rome NY. The data base was provided [under contract] by the ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY REASERCH INSTITUTE [IITRI] located in Chicago Il.

The old way was with MIL-HDBK 217 but there are companies that sell this as a softwear package that make it all much easier.

The best one is a package called 'PRISM' by the Reliability Analysis centre in New York, USA.

You could always use the component manufacturers reliability data and do a simple part count method. But remember, the higher the operating temperature, and hence stress, on the components MTBF's will reduce dramatically

In this case, the MTBF of the electronic product can be calculated.

MTBF Calculator