Top 10 Tricks for AVEVA PI Asset Framework (AF)

AVEVA PI Asset Framework (formerly OSIsoft PI AF) is a powerhouse for modeling industrial assets hierarchically. Here are the best 10 pro tricks to supercharge your workflows, based on advanced user practices, performance optimizations, and hidden gems. These assume you're familiar with basics like elements, templates, and attributes—dive in via PI System Explorer (PSE).

  1. Substitution Parameters for Scalable Templates
    Use %Property% or %Element% in template names/attributes for dynamic instantiation (e.g., Pump_%SerialNumber%). Trick: Combine with loops in PSE's "New Element from Template" for bulk creation—saves hours on large fleets.
  2. Wildcards in PI Point Data References
    In data refs, use * wildcards like \\%Server%\%Unit*\Flow to auto-link similar tags. Pro tip: Pair with "ConfigString" substitutions for server-agnostic models that adapt across systems.
  3. Formula Data References for Instant Calcs
    Skip full Analyses for simple math: [%Parent.Flow% * 60] / %Density%. Trick: Use time-range functions like total(avg(%Tag%,*)*) for on-the-fly summaries without server load.
  4. Enumeration Sets with Bases for Smart States
    Create enums (e.g., Running/Stopped) and link to a "Base" element for centralized updates. Hidden gem: Use "Value Attribute" refs to trigger Analyses—perfect for alarm states without custom code.
  5. Table Lookups for Value Mapping
    Map raw sensor values to engineering units (e.g., 0=Off, 1=On) via Table Lookup data refs. Trick: Dynamic columns with %Property% make it reusable across templates.
  6. Event Frame Templates with Auto-Rollups
    Set up templates for downtime/events with built-in rollups (e.g., OEE calcs). Power move: Use "Recovery" triggers and substitutions to chain events hierarchically—auto-generates reports.
  7. Attribute Traits for Lightning Searches
    Assign traits (custom metadata) to attributes, then search/filter in PSE or PI Vision like Trait:Critical AND Value>80. Trick: Traits enable bulk ops and PI DataLink exports.
  8. Analysis Scheduling Hacks
    Stagger schedules (e.g., every 5min offset by %Element.ID%) to avoid peak loads. Pro trick: Use "On Demand" with event triggers for efficiency—monitor via PI System Monitor.
  9. Reference Elements for Shared Hierarchies
    Reference the same element across multiple parents without duplication. Gem: Combine with "Load Reference Children" in PSE for virtual mega-hierarchies (e.g., enterprise-wide asset views).
  10. Bulk Check-In/Check-Out with AF SDK
    For devs: Use PowerShell + AF SDK for scripted bulk edits (e.g., GetElements().CheckOut()). Everyday trick: Export templates as XML, regex-edit offline, then import—ideal for migrations.

Bonus Tips: Always use summaries (Min/Max/Avg) on time-series attrs for perf; enable caching in PSE (View > Options); test in a dev AF database. For visuals, integrate with PI Vision—symbols auto-bind to AF paths.