Asset importer

Assets are defined as sub-systems and parts. These can be imported from an Excel file with structured data using a step by step wizard. The imported assets are placed in an object structure. The Excel file needs to be formatted according to a strict format. A template is provided to help structure the data in the Excel according to this format.

The asset importer can be used to quickly extend Asset Strategy Optimization with a list of assets. The list can then be modeled further in Asset Strategy Optimization, e.g. to support an FMECA analysis.

The asset importer lays the basic structure for an FMECA model. Subsequently, a DIS importer - Direct Input Sheet can be used to supplement the basic structure with data such as failure causes, components,  CBM actions etc.

Example

Assume in Asset Strategy Optimization there is an existing Structure with just one Model. You wish to add the structure from the Excel file listed below. This structure that will be placed underneath the existing structure (called System in the example) looks like the figure below:

Example of an Asset-tree that will be imported from an Excel file

Example of the structure the Excel file may have to model the structure above

Remarks for the Excel file

The tree structure above can be defined as follows in the Excel file:

• The top-most object (here: P1-Pump) in column C, should be left empty; this will cause it to be linked to the chosen element in the FMECA tree (here: System)

• Enter the tag number of the top-most element in column A (P1)

• Indicate for each child object of object P1-Pump in column C that their parent has Tag P1

• Repeat this strategy for other subsystems, if any (here: none)

  Note: Make sure that columns E and G contain a value, (e.g. the value 1 used in the example above

• The columns T and U will only be used when:

  • the function MTTF Correction has been activated

  • during import, the lowest level is imported as Parts

Example result

After completing the Asset importer using the example above, the result will look as follows in Asset Strategy Optimization :

Result of the example Asset import - note that the subsystems are ordered in alphabetical order: first motor, then piston

Tip1

Try out the asset import function using a small and simple model to learn its behavior, find out where the column values turn up, and to check whether the expected result is actually realized. Then start working with bigger models.

Tip2

To check whether or not the import was successful and the model was completely imported, you could introduce a test object as a last line in the Excel; if you can find this test model in Asset Strategy Optimization, then the complete template was successfully imported. Issues you may find are:

• Duplicate tags

• Empty fields

• Wrong format of the Excel cells

• (Hidden) spaces

• The Excel source file must be saved and closed at the time the asset import starts.
  

  Note: Asset Strategy Optimization cannot perform an Asset import when there are duplicate tag values in a system.

Instruction

Follow these steps to import assets:

1. Select an existing subsystem in an FMECA model under which you want to import the assets.

2. Select the menu File >> Export/Import>> Asset import.

   

   The Asset Wizard appears that you can use to import the assets.

   

3. Select Next.

   The following page appears.

   

4. In A) point to a prepared Excel file that was formatted according to the template, by clicking the button '...', then select Next.

5. If you do not have the Excel file, then you can use a built-in template by selecting Open template.

   This will open an empty template file Excel file (after showing the message below) with a fixed format, and an example asset. You may fill this template with the desired asset data (as described in the example above), then save that Excel file under a new name.
   

6. After creating a new file, perform step 4.

   The contents of the Excel file will now be validated and if there are errors, the wizard will indicate them. These errors must be resolved before continuing with the import. In the following example, the tag-values were omitted in column C.
   
   

   When the errors are resolved, then the Choose node type policy screen appears.

   

7. Select the desired node type policy, choosing from the following options:

   Subsystems only

   With this option selected, all assets in the sheet will be treated as subsystems. This is the default option

   Leaf nodes as parts

   With this option selected, all assets in the sheet will be treated as subsystems except for the assets with no underlying assets. These leaf nodes will be converted to Parts. If GUI Settings in Asset Strategy Optimization is enabled and FM Library - using the media library FL21 fields are filled in the Excel template, these values will appear in the imported Parts. Generate dummy components - When this optional flag is selected, all assets that are converted to parts will also contain an empty component so that these need not be created manually. Generate dummy failure cause - When this optional flag is selected, the include dummy components flag is mandatory and the empty component will also contain an empty failure cause. Generate dummy FBM - When this optional flag is selected, the include dummy components and the include dummy failure cause flags are mandatory. As a result the lowest leaf nodes will be saved as a part, with an empty component and an underlying empty failure cause and an underlying empty FBM.

   When no more errors are found, the final wizard screen will appear.

8. Select Finish to import the asset import and return to the previous FMECA Systems screen.

   This screen will now display the newly created structure under the selected item.

   Note: When importing data from an Excel file via the Asset Importer, the Buffer Time of an asset will not get imported into Asset Strategy Optimization application.

Import templates in Asset Strategy Optimization

By default Asset Strategy Optimization comes with a built-in template that you may use as a starting point to build an asset-tree. The built-in template is located, together with other templates, in the installation folder of Asset Strategy Optimization.

DIS import

After successfully completing the asset import, and checking that all data are correct, you may proceed with a DIS importer - Direct Input Sheet, to further expand and complement the model.