Graph Editor

Version 6 provides separate editors for the creation and editing of structures, function nets and failure nets. It became more and more obvious in connection with Mechatronics FMEA and Functional Safet that a solution to overcome restrictions in these editors is necessar . !e were loo"ing for a feasible solution together with the users. And we have found it# the $raph Editor is available as of version 6.%. It provides ou with uni&ue possibilities, some of which will be introduced in the following. For a start, there is the e'pected icon for the new editor in the (ersonal )es"top*s Editor toolbar and the respective menu item.

Figure# Editor toolbar with icons for# Structure +ree, Function ,et, Failure ,et, and $raph Editor +he icon chosen for the $raph Editor illustrates the representation of a comple' net consisting of nodes and edges in an editor.

Figure# Function ,et with incomplete, truncated representation and $raph Editor view In the above figure, the Function ,et Editor shows a situation of relationships between functions that cannot be full represented in this editor. In contrast, all the net connections are visible in the $raph Editor. +he e'ample was chosen, because it relates to the $raph Editor icon.

Figure# $raph Editor - the user interface using the e'ample of a Structure +ree In addition to the central area, the $raph Editor comes with lateral lists providing additional information. In the above figure, there are two lateral lists respectivel on the right and the left side. +he show various further details in connection with the selected ob.ect. +he /tas" list0 on the ver right, which is highlighted in blue, shows clearl arranged possible actions. Each of the displa ed details can be used for control and is therefore an alternative to the respective menu item, icon, or shortcut.

Structure with system elements

+he direct comparison to the Structure Editor shows that the $raph Editor represents identical information in a new wa .

Figure# $raph Editor - /1eadlights0 product structure

Figure# Structure Editor - /1eadlights0 product structure

Function Net with functions, requirements, product and process characteristics

+he $raph Editor can also illustrate situations in Function ,ets and Failure ,ets, which could not be represented so far.

Figure# $raph Editor - Function graph /+urn off lights when prompted0

Figure# Function ,et - Focus function /+urn off lights when prompted0 +his simple e'ample alread illustrates the advantages of the $raph Editor. 2ou can immediatel see that another connection is available for one of the top3level functions. In the Function ,et, a dashed line around the top3level function merel implies that there are further details available, which are not visible though.

Failures Net with failures, operating conditions, failure detection, and failure reaction
Failure ,ets can also be represented in a graph.

Figure# $raph Editor - displa s source - s nchroni4ed failure in Structure Editor in list view

Figure# Failure ,et - focus failure /5ights turned off unprompted0 +his e'ample ma"es clear that the base failure is not visible in the $raph Editor*s main window, but in one of the configurable lateral lists. From there, it can be s nchroni4ed e.g. with the usual list view in the Structure Editor. !e can not and do not want to go into all the details of the $raph Editor with its rather comprehensive functionalit . It should be mentioned though that it is also possible to displa information relevant to the user at the connecting lines between failures, i.e. the edges between two nodes in the graph, e.g. displa ing the failure rates as it is re&uired for Functional Safet .

Figure# $raph Editor - labeled edge# Failure rate

Task list
+he tas" list, which can be shown, provides the user with details on the technical options and the current impossibilities. If desired, additional e'planations on what happens in detail and wh particular things are impossible are provided.

Figure# $raph Editor - tas" list for selected failure /5ights turned off unprompted0

Figure# $raph Editor - available option with shown e'planation 6 unavailable option with shown e'planation As mentioned above, the tas" list is an alternative to alread available control options 7menu item, icon, shortcut8. In the field of Functional Safet , it became evident though that the control with more and more and additional classical operating tools can not be target3oriented at all, as far too man options are re&uired. In the above e'ample, ou can see what the solution loo"s li"e that helps users to "eep trac" of even e'tremel comple' circumstances.

Workflow support
+he concept of /auto3filters0, which is alread "nown from version 6, is supported b the $raph Editor in a modified and highl improved wa . 9ased on that, a wor"flow can be reali4ed to handle things in an elegant and convenient manner that are otherwise difficult to handle and ta"e much time. +he wor"flow is to be illustrated b means of a familiar e'ample, which is not too comple' but "nown to an user. +his is about the &uestion, whether all top3level events have an S rating. Step :# ;onte't menu /Anal sis of target values 7FMEA8 - S ratings unavailable0 Step <# 5ist bo' /)efine S ratings0 Step =# Input of S ratings in dialog in a tabular view For comple' situations in the field of Functional Safet , a great man of wor"flow support tools were alread reali4ed to reach the goals in a simple manner.

Figure# ;onte't menu /Anal sis of target values 7FMEA8 - S ratings unavailable0 7step :8

Figure# 5ist bo' /)efine S ratings0 7step <8

Figure# Input of S ratings in dialog in a tabular view 7step =8