Background

The MFPT Society originated in 1967 under the leadership and sponsorship of the Office of Naval Research as the Mechanical Failures Prevention Group (MFPG).  Charter sponsors also included several other naval organizations, the Atomic Energy Commission, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and several industrial organizations.  The MFPG was formed primarily to provide a mechanism for effective interchange of technical information among segments of the scientific and engineering communities in order to gain a better understanding of the processes of mechanical failures.  The anticipated result was to reduce the incidence of mechanical failures by improving design methodology, to devise methods of accurately predicting mechanical failures and to apply the increased knowledge of the field to current problems.  Improved reliability, greater safety and economic savings were among the clear goals to be met through a better understanding of mechanical failures.  The MFPG changed its name to the Society for Machinery Failure Prevention Technology (MFPT Society) in 1995 and has continued to evolve, but the original objectives still form the basis for its current activities.  In this way the MFPT Society acts as a focal point for technological developments that contribute to mechanical failure reduction or prevention.

Structure and Mission

The Society for Machinery Failure Prevention Technology is an interdisciplinary technical organization strongly oriented toward practical applications.  The membership includes professional scientists, engineers, failure analysts, maintenance specialists and others who represent a wide variety of disciplines from government agencies, universities, research institutes and industry.  The MFPT Society policy is to cooperate whenever possible with appropriate technical committees from government, professional organizations, technical societies, industrial associations and consortia -- both nationally and internationally.

Interchange of information within the technical community is provided through its annual conference and other symposia, seminars and short courses as appropriate or necessary.  .  The annual conference includes technical presentations, panel discussions, workshops and other features that promote an atmosphere conducive to a free exchange of ideas, problems and solutions.  When appropriate, joint conferences are held with professional organizations having similar technical interests.  The technical papers from these meetings are published as proceedings, distributed to each meeting participant (at the meeting in hard-bound format, and after the meeting on CD), and made available for subsequent purchase.

Revised 28 Mar 08