We use Item Numbers across several systems and documents. It starts with our assemblies drawings. We place a parts list (CAD modeled parts) on the drawing that contains an Item Number (right now sequential
1..through the number of parts on the drawing). Each part in the drawing is identified by its associated Item Number. This parts list is created from the normal SolidWorks BOM tools and follow the assembly order.Assembly documentation typically in the form of a word document with pictures is the manufacturing contribution. This document uses the same Item Number generated above but relies on the alignment to the internal Part Numbers this parts list creates. We also denote this Item Number in our ERP and any Work Orders it generates. We also use DBWorks in house and it also generates an Item Number associated to any BOM's it creates.
Of course our BOM"s get increasingly more detailed (additional items, like non-modeled items - glue, tape, etc are added to DBWorks, then material cards, processes and such are added at the ERP step)
The question to you all is...
- Do you use item Numbers within your companies?
- How do you keep them synchronized across the systems or processes like above?
- Do you deploy any other methods to help address this issue?
--Matt Feider