FM Library

The FM library is a collection of objects that can be used to quickly build FMECA systems. Generic failure and maintenance behavior can be added to parts and components. Generic business objectives can be defined and its effect values can be set in FM library objects. Based on values in the Determinant table, objects in the FM library can predefine the effect values and adjust initial MTTF values when a structure in the FM library is copied to an FMECA system.

Structures can be built up in the FM library to be reused multiple times to quickly construct an FMECA system in the FMECA screen. Alternatively, readily available FM libraries containing market standard structures can be purchased and imported into Asset Strategy Optimization. It is also possible to use an existing structure in the FMECA screen as a starting point for a new library structure.

The power of the FM library can be experienced in particular when dealing with complex FMECA systems, e.g. in rapid deployment operations, during which there are many identical parts with their subordinate objects. Parts can be added from the FM library to an FMECA system by dragging or copy and paste operations, or by using the Apply the FM Library templates. Copying is possible from any level. Each object can be pasted separately into the FMECA system. In doing so, everything subordinate to the copied object is also copied. For all objects created within a library folder, it is also possible to enter their properties, which can be copied over to the FMECA system structure.

Structures in the FM library may be Export and Import functionality.

The FM library folder

The topmost level of the FM library is a folder. To start building the FM library, a new library folder can be created first. By using folders, it is possible to create a clear and transparent structure. This will make the FM library more user-friendly. It is possible to expand folders with sub-folders. An FM library can be a system such as The bicycle shown in the screenshot below. This must not be confused with an FMECA system.

Objects in the FM library

Each folder in the FM library can be viewed as a (sub-)library. The user can add (sub-)libraries to the FM library and extend it with (serial and parallel) system objects,  parts, components and failure/maintenance behavior. For each folder, the user has two basic options: creating a sub-folder or creating an object in the selected folder. The menu screen below shows the objects that can be created:

Seven object types can be created in the FM library

The picture below shows the object hierarchy supported by the FM library.

Object hierarchy supported by the FM library

Structures similar to the FMECA screen can be built in this way. Unlike the FMECA screen, however, the top level of a structure in the FM library can be the Serial System, the Parallel System, and the Part. Properties of the library objects can added in the Property Grid or the properties screen (which will appear when double clicking an object).

Properties of the Part in the FM library as seen from the Property Grid and the Property screen. The Part can be created directly in a folder

Copying structures to the FMECA tree from the FM Library

Object structures that were created in the FM Library folder can be later copied to one or more FMECA Systems. Copying can be done in two ways:

• Select a structure in the FM Library, copy it (Ctrl-C), and paste it onto the (valid) desired location in the FMECA tree (Ctrl-V)

• Drag a structure from its location in the FM Library onto a (valid) target location in the FMECA tree

Merging a part in the FM Library to a part in the FMECA tree

It is also possible to copy a part in the FM Library over a part in a FMECA System. This can be accomplished by dragging the part from its location in the FM Library onto an existing part in the FMECA tree. Asset Strategy Optimization will then ask whether or not the two parts should be merged. Select 'Yes' to continue, or 'Cancel' to cancel the operation.

During the merging operation, the following takes place:

• All properties defined in the option screen 'Part merge field settings' will be copied over existing data in the part

• All existing components, failure causes and maintenance data in the target part will be deleted

• All underlying components, failure causes, maintenance and UBM high data from part in the FM Library will be attached to the part in the FMECA tree
  

A powerful extension of this function is the function Apply FM Library templates that allows for a mass merge operation. How it may be used is explained Apply the FM Library templates.

Copying structures from the FMECA tree to the FM Library

Another possibility is to extend the FM Library with existing elements in the FMECA tree. In this way, specific objects from the FMECA tree can be first made generic by placing them in the FM library, and subsequently be reused in other places in the FMECA tree.

Structures (with underlying objects) that can be copied, are:

• (Sub-)systems, i.e. serial and parallel

• Parts
  

  Tip: To simplify dragging objects between FMECA-tree and FM Library it is advised to arrange the two windows vertically next to one another on the screen. Use the function  Windows > Arrange Vertically to accomplish this.

Generic Business Objectives defined in the FM Library

Just like in the FMECA screen, a set of business objectives can be defined in the FM Library.

For more information, see the topic FM Library - Business Objectives.

Grid in FM Library

Just like the FMECA screen, the FM Library has a FM Library Grid. With this Grid view, the user can easily maintain and complete the effect data and failmodes related to the selected scope in the FM Library tree. There are two ways to access the FM Library Grid:

• From the FM Library screen, select a scope.Open the FM Library Grid from the Menu (FM Library > FM Library Grid)

• Or, Right click the scope element and select FM Library Grid from the pop up menu

For more information, see the general description of the FMECA tree related FMECA Grid.

Media library table - adjusting MTTF and predefining effects

In certain situations, there can be factors that influence the mean time to failure. For example, a pump transporting an aggressive fluid, using NBR as gasket material may fail sooner than one containing water and a gasket material of EPDM. In these situations, the media library table can be used to adjust the initial MTTF based on the determinant values. In the example above, the determinant values would be a media/gasket material combination, where values such as steam/EPDM, ammonia/NBR, and water/silicon could be linked to a percentage. More is explained in the section FM Library - using the media library.