Connecting Functions/Malfunctions

Creating a function net and creating a failure net both follow the same rationale. You connect a function to another function, or a malfunction to another malfunction respectively, by dragging and dropping:

1. With the mouse cursor over a function, press the left mouse button and hold it. Outcome: the function is highlighted with a yellow background.

2. Move the cursor over the function to wich you wish to connect it. Outcome: next to the cursor will appear a rectangle and a plus sign.

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3. Move the cursor to the left and to the right: You will notice that the function´s background becomes yellow either to the left or to the right side. To connect a function with a lower level system element, the background has to light up on the right (facing the function to which it connects).

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4. Release the mouse button.

Outcome: The icons next to the two functions´ names change: They now also have two smaller dots, pointing toward the other function.

The two functions are now connected.

Proceed likewise with the malfunctions.

Now that you have connected the (mal)functions, you can see them (and work with them) in other views:

• The Function net explorer and Failure net explorer: the Function net explorer and Failure net explorer show hierarchical structures (top-down) of the system elements and functions / malfunctions.

• The Function net / Failure net views: these two views show how a function or malfunction is connected to others. Just double-click on a function / malfunction in the editor and the relevant view will show you how it is connected to the others.