Object Attributes are Attributes that are assigned to an object and describe additional characteristics, such as cost, time and failure rate. Before Attribute values can be assigned to individual objects, an Attribute must first be created and enabled for objects, with a default value being set up (optionally) for objects.
When to Use Object Attributes
Common uses of object Attributes include:
Replacement Cost
Replacement Time
Reliability (Failure Rate)
These three types of object Attributes can be used to optimize eXpress analyses and are used in many eXpress reports. It is, however, possible to create any number of additional Attributes that further describe an object. For instance, additional design identifiers (maintenance ID's, part numbers, etc.) can be included to help map objects in an eXpress model against their original specifications. Also, when a FMECA is generated, there is an option to include one or more object Attributes in custom column(s). If included, any time the object is associated with a particular row of the FMECA, the Attribute value will be looked up and used in the column created for that Attribute.
Of course, Attributes can be set up in eXpress to hold information that is not used within eXpress analyses, but rather by other tools in the systems engineering process.
