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Asset Types

Concept overview​

  • AssetType: a general category for assets (e.g., Pump, Motor, Heat Exchanger).
  • Purpose: determines the maintenance tasks and asset attributes that can be selected for an asset.

Asset types standardize how assets are described and maintained. When you create an asset, you must specify its AssetType.

Why it matters​

  • Consistency: ensures similar assets share the same required and optional attributes (e.g., tag number, manufacturer, rated power).
  • Maintainability: ties assets to standard maintenance tasks/PMs appropriate for that type (e.g., Pump → lubrication, seal inspection).
  • Reporting: enables meaningful grouping, filtering, and KPIs by type.

First implementation​

  • Required on Asset create: an Asset must reference one AssetType.
  • Attributes: AssetType defines a list of attributes available for assets of that type through the AssetTypeAttribute relationship. See Asset Attributes for detailed information on how the attribute system works.
  • Maintenance tasks: AssetType provides a catalog of tasks that can be selected or recommended for assets of that type. Initial implementation can be a flat list of task templates.

Planned relationships​

  • Asset → AssetType (required).
  • AssetType → AttributeDefinitions (list of attribute templates).
  • AssetType → MaintenanceTaskTemplates (list of task templates).

These relationships guide what fields and maintenance activities are available when managing assets.

Usage in Blueprint​

  • CRUD for Asset Types to define categories, attributes, and task templates.
  • Asset creation/editing enforces selecting an AssetType and then shows attributes/tasks driven by that type.

Example Asset Types from Blueprint Paper Mill​

To illustrate how asset types work in practice, here are examples from Blueprint Paper Mill, a mid-sized pulp and paper production facility:

Continuous Digester​

Description: Large pressure vessel for cooking wood chips with white liquor

Typical attributes:

  • Cooking Temperature (°C) – target range: 165–172
  • Digester Pressure (bar) – target range: 5.2–5.8
  • H-Factor (dimensionless) – target range: 1100–1200
  • White Liquor Flow (L/min) – target range: 38–45
  • Chip Level (%) – target range: 70–85

Example assets: Digester D-101 (Unit A – Pulping)

Maintenance tasks: Liquor circulation inspection, chip level calibration, pressure relief valve testing

Centrifugal Pump​

Description: Rotating pump for moving liquids through the process

Typical attributes:

  • Discharge Pressure (bar)
  • Motor Amperage (A)
  • Bearing Vibration (mm/s) – alert threshold: >6.0
  • Seal Temperature (°C) – alert threshold: >50
  • Running Hours (cumulative counter)

Example assets: Feed Pump P-404 (Unit A – Pulping), Cleaner Pump CP-12 (Unit B – Screening & Cleaning)

Maintenance tasks: Bearing lubrication, seal inspection, vibration analysis, motor alignment

Paper Machine Dryer​

Description: Steam-heated rotating cylinder for drying paper sheet

Typical attributes:

  • Surface Temperature (°C) – target range: 85–95
  • Steam Pressure (bar) – target range: 6–8
  • Condensate Temperature (°C)
  • Shell Thickness (mm) – periodic inspection

Example assets: Dryer Can DC-12 (Unit C – Paper Machine Line)

Maintenance tasks: Steam trap inspection, condensate removal system check, surface cleaning

Recovery Boiler​

Description: Boiler that burns black liquor to generate steam and recover chemicals

Typical attributes:

  • Steam Pressure (bar) – target range: 40–45
  • Flue Gas Temperature (°C) – target range: 380–420
  • Feedwater Conductivity (µS/cm) – target: <5
  • Drum Level (%) – target range: 45–55
  • Reduction Efficiency (%) – target: >95
  • Running Hours (cumulative counter)

Example assets: Steam Boiler B-01 (Unit D – Utilities)

Maintenance tasks: Flue gas analysis, tube inspection, drum level calibration, feedwater treatment monitoring

Air Compressor​

Description: Machine that compresses air for instrument and process use

Typical attributes:

  • Discharge Pressure (bar) – target range: 6.8–7.2
  • Discharge Temperature (°C) – target range: 80–100
  • Motor Amperage (A)
  • Oil Level (option: OK / Low / Check Required)
  • Vibration (mm/s) – alert threshold: >4.5

Example assets: Air Compressor AC-12 (Unit D – Utilities)

Maintenance tasks: Oil change, filter replacement, pressure relief valve testing, moisture separator drain

Rotary Equipment (General Category)​

Description: Generic rotating machinery including motors, fans, and rollers

Typical attributes:

  • Vibration (mm/s) – alert threshold varies by equipment
  • Bearing Temperature (°C) – alert threshold: >80
  • Motor Amperage (A)
  • Speed (rpm)

Example assets: Felt Roll FR-07 (Unit C – Paper Machine Line), Press Section Drive Motor PM-03 (Unit C), Cooling Tower CT-03 Fan (Unit D – Utilities)

Maintenance tasks: Bearing inspection, vibration analysis, alignment check, lubrication

Screen​

Description: Pressure screen for separating fibers by size and removing contaminants from pulp

Typical attributes:

  • Inlet Pressure (bar)
  • Outlet Pressure (bar)
  • Flow Rate (L/min)
  • Reject Rate (%)

Example assets: Screen S-05 (Unit B – Screening & Cleaning)

Maintenance tasks: Screen plate inspection, basket cleaning, rotor inspection, seal replacement

Headbox​

Description: Equipment that distributes stock evenly across the paper machine forming wire

Typical attributes:

  • Stock Consistency (%)
  • Flow Rate (L/min)
  • Air Content (%)
  • Slice Opening (mm)
  • Stock Level (%)

Example assets: Headbox HB-01 (Unit C – Paper Machine Line)

Maintenance tasks: Slice lip inspection, defoamer system check, consistency sensor calibration, cleaning

These asset types demonstrate:

  • How similar equipment shares common attributes (e.g., all pumps track discharge pressure and vibration)
  • How industry-specific equipment (digesters, recovery boilers, paper machine dryers) requires specialized attributes
  • How asset types guide which readings operators capture during rounds
  • How maintenance tasks are standardized for equipment categories
Blueprint Paper Mill Tutorial

For a step-by-step guide to creating asset types like these, see the Blueprint Paper Mill Tutorial.

See also​