We are currently using FMEA and would like to migrate to Microsoft Excel. Is there any type of utility out there to export the fmea+ data to an excel format?

What is the current format you want to export to Excel?

<center>Danger, Will Robinson, Danger!</center>

Make sure you want to do this. FMEAs in Excel can be real trouble - especially if they're long.

Why?

I think my conversion to recomending canned software for FMEAs, as much as I HATE canned software, is from the companies I have been in which did FMEAs in Excel. While I have seen some good FMEAs in Excel, I have seen more horrors. The root cause of most of the 'problems' was people doing them didn't really understand how to do an FMEA. Canned software somewhat forces the correct way to do them in the same way one can learn statistics by using a statistical analysis program.

If the people really know what they're doing, I have no problem with Excel.

As a secondary comment, if you're doing FMEAs you're probably automotive. In that case there is some pretty good software which does the whole shebang - FMEA - Control Plan - Process Flow Diagram --> all linked.

One aspect to consider is length, as well. I've seen 1 page FMEAs and I've seen 300 page FMEAs. If you're looking at 50+ pages, I'd be looking at canned software.

Just an old fart's opinion. That's all. :thedeal:

Also see: http://Elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2189 :thedeal:

FMEA plus data is difficult to convert to other formats if not impossible.

Briefly, I work at a risk analysis software company and we have developed FMEA-Pro 5 (our software) to handle FMEAplus Importing, and even some EXCEL(R) data files too.

www.fmeasoftware.com

Once imported, you can use FMEA-Pro 5 to continue your FMEA studies and even save the files into a universal HTML format.

Excel and Word both opens HTML files allowing you to simply copy/paste FMEA material into reports.

Just ask for STEVE BONDAREWSKI, I can help you with FMEAplus files or answer any other questions you may have.

sbond@dyadem.com

Cheers

Steve

One more thing ...

Are companies already using the 3rd Edition format for FMEA studies?

You can download a free excel based fmea program at http://www.fmeainfocentre.com/downlaod_area.htm
The real problem with independent programs, those that do not connect the CP, Flow chart and FMEA is that you have to work hard to ensure the consistency of numbering etc.

You might want to contact:

www.integralsolutions.com

They may be able to give you some guidence, I do know that some of their software is exportable to the excel format.

From what I can see, there's only one program that will do what I need it to do. The FMEA pro program seemed to work okay, but I only had short time to test it out because of how crazy it's been around here. And now the demo had expired.

Are there any more programs that anyone knows about that will take an FMEA file (.fme) and convert it to an excel file (.xls)?

Dawn,

I read your message re: updating existing fema's to the 3rd edition format, and it inspired me to explore the following...Can the software we've bought (fmea-pro) allow me to import Ford's FMEAplus files into an FMEA 3rd edition template, rather than just regular format?? After a little tweaking of the import template, and some assistance from their tech department, the answer is "yes".

I have imported 3 old FMEAplus files in FMEA-pro and they all appear in a 3rd edition format. Still testing the logistics, but everything is working fine so far. Still need to do some updating (with the new columns), but I've just saved hours of typing! Has anyone else heard of these guys?? http://www.fmeapro.com]

Word around here, is that they signed national reselling/marketing agreement with SAE?

Big-3-Hand-Puppet:bonk:

Thanks Big 3 I'll check it out

A couple comments to elements in this thread:
First- The thread began with the question of exporting FMEAplus files to Excel. Even Ford Motor Company (the originator of FMEAplus) explored this option and rejected it. As one respondent in this thread said "danger..." That was a factor in Ford's decision. Ford decided quite some time ago that they would NOT update FMEAplus again and would seek another solution. In the intervening time, they HAVE lost the code for FMEAplus. Regardless, they have finally begun the rollout of their replacement FMEA software which of course, imports the old FMEAplus files and is totally compliant with AIAG Third Edition. Note- it can also export to Excel, should you need to for any reason. Wat did they chose - Byteworx FMEA- Ford's worldwide choice for FMEA software. It is also being marketed by SAE. For information or a demo contact either Byteworx.com or SAE.org

Second: Major changes in the Third Edition were
A) the form (splitting the Detection and Prevention Controls)
B) the rating tables (especially Design and Process Occurrence and Process Detection)
C) the incorporation of the "Working Model" to drive Recommended Actions earlier in the FMEA development and to de-emphasize RPN.
D) Renewed emphasis on a team developing the FMEA
E) There are also definition changes - mostly more subtle.

Third: The external auditors are just catching up with the Third Edition from my experience.

Fourth: RPNs WILL tend to go up in PFMEAs using the new tables. For any group with RPN thresholds or bogeys, (a dangerous strategy) this will be unpalatable. Thus in the Third edition there are several places where there is a mention that the priority for action is:
Severity
Severity*Occurrence
then on RPN