Can you lock down a BOM?

[darnell]

We are currently using SW2004, SP4.1 and I have the following problem. I did not check this in SW2005 to see if they have fixed this...


In a SW drawings, I have a BOM. When it comes in, it comes in ordered from the feature tree. Lets say I have 5 BOM items. Item one is a manifold. After I do the drawing, I have to go back and use SW Explorer to rename this item. When I open the drawing, the BOM order is changed and now, my number 1 item, Manifold, is now number 5 as all the others have moved down.

I need for the BOM to be locked once it is inserted. Is this possible or is this an enhancement request? If I have notes, one might say to clear anodize item 1. I like the way SW updated the balloons to match since they re-ordered the BOM but it does nothing for a standard notes.

 

[Standing]

darnell,
You can turn BOM update off.

As a side question. Why do you have to rename your item? I assume you are talking about description and not the file name.


Bradley

 

[darnell]

I tried to state it above but I'll try again. We have notes we put on the drawings as well. If I put a note out there that states to anodize item 1 clear and if SW changes the order, then the note no longer applies to item 1 but now, item 5 as SW changed the order. The note dows not change so my note about anodizing now applies to the new item one which was item two!!

Hope that helps explain why I want to lock it from changing item numbers

 

[darnell]

Hey Bradley,

If I turn off the BOM update, will it update the part number that I changed in SW Explorer as previouly described?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

In both the Excel & SW BOM there is a switch which makes the BOM match the tree.

Excel is RMB > Properties > Control > Row numbers follow assembly ordering

SW BOM is click on top of BOM to open BOM Manager at side of screen Follow assembly order.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

It might be better to reference the actual part number rather than the item number to avoid problems when adding or deleting parts from the assembly, which would also change the item number.

 

[Standing]

darnell,
I do not know if your part number will update. I never use SW Explorer, but I believe your Excel BOM will not update.

I completely forgot about CorBlimeyLimey solution.
Good idea, CorBlimeyLimey.


Bradley

 

[darnell]

Hey CorBlimLim,

I had tried that and that didn't work. I just now retried it and it still doesn't work. My VAR called and said that it doesn't work in SW2004, 4.2 either but in SW2005, it works.

Not sure why it didn't work with that command but I had tried it.

We might have to refence part numbers or descriptions rather than item numbers just to cover ourselves.

- Thanks!!

 

[Standing]

darnell,
This is an old habit from the beginning for us. What we do is, have all drawings, models and assemblies open. Then rename the files with a “Save As”. Our BOM update is turned on all the time for everyone. We have to use formulas in the quantity column. Items never move in our model tree unless we move them manually.
Good luck.


Bradley

 

[darnell]

Bradley,

Thanks for the insight on how you guys do business. I am shocked about using formulas for the quantity, ours always updates automatically when you add or delete something. It even works with patterns so we don't worry.

I tried unchecking the update BOM and it works as far as not changing the order but it did not update the part number which is something we would need for it to do.

Thanks for your suggestion, I forgot about the check box for that also )

 

[Standing]

darnell,
We use items that get other values beside EACH. Oil, glue, tape, tubing is feet, and others. We have to play a lot of tricks to get this done. We add a property to the model and a formula to excel. The formula is:
=IF(H3="EA",B3,IF(H3="FT",TEXT(I3/12,".0 FT"),IF(H3="NA",TEXT(,"0"),IF(H3="QTY",TEXT(J3,"0"),IF(H3="%",TEXT(J3,".00"),B3)))))


Bradley

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Darnell

Both work fine in SW2004 SP2.1