We are currently using the Excel based BOM's. I have not yet had a
chance to see if the SW generated BOM's are better or worse for us
(2004). If I have an assy that uses 5 differents lengths of the same
part numbered pipe I get a qty of "5". I want to show a total length
instead. Right now, I have to turn off "automatically update BOM" and
then modify the Excel file to display the correct length. This is
tedious and can cause troubles for me down the road. Is there a way to
display the total length of a part used instead of the amount of
instances?
Just a thought - if the assy has only that pipe, you could add a column to
your BOM template that totals the length of all the others. If it's not the
only thing, I'm not sure just how to automatically determine which ones to
sum.
WT
Are you saying that you would like to simply override the QTY
callout for any given part, or is it more involved than that?
Does it have to have enough intelligence to actually add up the
lengths?
For example, you have some tubing and you want the QTY cell
to say "as required" or do you need it to gather up all the pieces
and total up the lengths?
Mike Wilson
I would like it to gather up the pieces (same part file with the length
controlled by the design table) and determine the length. This
number I would to show in the BOM. I guess if I had a separate column
that gave the total length (if it exists) that would also work.
Go to the configuration tree and in the "properties" dialog "name for part
in BOM" specify a different name for each part. Then in the
custom-configuration specific area add a "property" for your length and link
it to a dimension that specs the length. Then add that "property" to your
exel bom. It should update correctly.
MikeEckstein
I tried this today and what I do in fact get lengths, but I dont get a
combined
length which is what I need. Right now I am seeing the same part
listed the number of times it appears in the assy with its appropriate
lengths. Now I just need to figure out how to get the BOM to combine
to give me a grand total.
The usual recommended trick for doing this in the Excel BOMs is to create a
new column next to your QTY column. For most of your items you just make the
entries equal to the contents of the normal QTY column. For your items that
you want the combined lengths on, I think you would need to add a new row as
well and sum the lengths in that row into the new column. Then hide the
original QTY column and the rows for the individual parts.
Since I hardly ever use the BOMs, I've probably missed something.
Jerry Steiger
Tripod Data Systems
"take the garbage out, dear"
The only problem with this is that the item numbers will get a little
jacked.
If you have part number "1" 3 times in the assy then the next part
number "2"
3 times you would see in the BOM 123 ("1")456 ("2") Then by hiding the
rows you would see 1,4.
See if you can use "Envelope Parts". They don't show up on the BOM.
This might correct the QTY callouts. I believe 2004 has more options
for this now (don't show child components in BOM).
Mike Wilson
Wait wait, that's not it... here we go...
"You can now exclude assembly components from a Bill of Materials.
In the assembly document, right-click the component and select Properties,
General. In the Component Properties dialog box, select Exclude from bill
of materials."
Thanks for the suggestion, but I cant seem to get that function to work!
My parts even say (Exlude...) right next to them! But they show up
still
in the BOM. I have even tried the SW BOM instead of my usual Excel bom.
Although my question is still a mystery, at least now I have been able
to play around with the SW BOM. Its pretty cool. Frankly, Im a bit
surprised that I am the only one that has ever wanted to do this!
PolyTech Forum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.