Drawing / quote Revision change question..

[D3signR]

Hi,
Im a new CAD designer working for a manufacturing company.
Basically we have some confusion over the best way to create a revision change system.

Currently we use A1 as the 1st design / quote / job. Then progress to A2 when a change is implemented.

The problem we have is that the whole "up issue" is a real pain when only a minor change is requested.
For example if a single dimension is altered, then we should up issue the drawing to record the change. BUT.. This also means time spent re-quoteing the job (amending the information on our quoting system) to match.
Also, there could be up to 14 drawings with templates to amend, file names etc..
This maybe what has to happen, but wondered if anyone has another method to get round this more efficently?

Another thing is when designing a new job, the issue A1 could be sent to a customer for approval & changes then made.
We would have to up issue the drawings & all relating info.. Could we use a provisional issue? if so how?

Lastly, what is the best way to record the change? We have a design change box on our template which has note of the change. But this is difficult to detail alot of info.

Any help or advice appreciated.

Steve

 

[KENAT]

Well, you could implement a checking function to catch a lot of the mistakes that would otherwise require a revision.

If in the US you could look at what the relevant industry standard, ASME Y14.100 has to say about when a rev change is needed, ASMe Y14.35 is also relevant.

For some of the really early draft stuff, using a date stamp,when printed, along with something like "PRELIMINARY DRAFT, THIS IS NOT A RELEASED DRAWING" can have application.

As to how to detail a change, in initial development before parts are actually made many places don't make much effort in recording changes. Once real parts exist, and certainly when 'released' an ECO or equivalent process should be used. This way the excruciating details are listed on the ECO form, the drawing need only reference the ECO #. Also in the computer age, it's usually possible to keep a copy of the older rev at least electronically so it's arguably not quite as critical to record all the details in excruciating detail for some situations.

If you are in a safety critical industry especially aerospace/defense or medical where there is a lot of government regulation then you need to take configuration control seriously - despite the effort to do so.

forum781 may be of use.

Posting guidelines faq731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[mfgenggear]

create ECO "engineering change orders" or similar
have a non recurring serial # for each of the 'ECO".

at the engineering drawing revision block for example "A2" change "see ECO #"

at some companies it is permissible to work with a redline changes or even ECO changes but will not be incorporated
until the completion of the part or assembly.

Make sure all ECO #'s are listed in the P.O.'s issued for all open orders.



see Mil-std-480 for configuration control is free.
go to DOD doc assist it is now obsolete but is a good ref guide.

http://www.assistdocs.com/search/search_basic.cfm

 

[MadMango]

Most companies where I have worked use numeric revisions for prototype or development stages, and after release through an ECO the revision changes to a letter. This makes it very clear when a drawing is actually released or not.

I don't understand your "A1, A2" revision scheme. When would the revision go to B1?

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of these Forums?

 

[D3signR]

Hi,

Thanks for the info so far!

Basically the whole system is being brought up to scratch as we are now ISO9001.

The Issue number system was just the revision A1 to start and then moves to A2, A3 etc.. Thats it..

I thnk the way things are done here could be improved allot and this is one area im keen to get sorted.

We have already implemented a Design Review / check process. This means when a design is ready for production, another person will check through the drawings to make sure there are no errors. (Hopefully catching silly mistakes).

Im interested in this ECO form..
So exactly how does this work?
Would this be some type of excel form that could be filled in with changes / ECO# ?

As our system already uses this A1 , A2 method, id like to keep it similar so all the old jobs are rellevant.

Could i create a job at A1, then any changes are recorded on the ECO. This would then be seen on the drawing as "A1 ECO# 002 & then after another change "A1 ECO# 003" etc..
This would mean that the designs could change, be recorded by the ECO but not have to go through administration / quoting etc..

Once that part is manufactured or cost/materials are changed, any further modifications would change the issue to A2 in the same fasion..?

Is the ECO for created for every job or would it be a single electronic form to show "all" changes to everything?

Apologies if this is a bit confusing, i really want to understand this.
Also, although i want to improve this system, i dont want to make it over complicated Or more time consuming.

Thanks for your help

Steve

 

[D3signR]

Another thought,

Could the ECO be drawn on a new layer withing the CAD file.
This could be switch on to edit/add to the information/ create new ECO#. Then switched off to create drawing.

Cheers

Steve

 

[KENAT]

An ECO is a form, potentially electronic, that details the drawing revision and addresses related issues. It is not instead of a revision.

Take a look in the other forum I linked, get a hold of the relevant industry standards and maybe one of the books on the subject.

Also internet search of Engineering Change Order or Engineering Change Notice may get some useful information.

The questions you're are asking are very basic. No offense but it doesn't sound like you know enough about configuration control to be the one leading this effort. Any possibility you could hire an external 'expert'?

Posting guidelines faq731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[D3signR]

Hi and thanks for the reply.

No offence taken..
Im just trying to ask questions to find out what may need to be done and how easy it is to do so.

I am no expert in configuration control, but im sure i can read up and at least understand the principles.
Obviousley i would not be on here if i had the answers..

If it is something i cannot change myself, as you say, then of course i will request help from someone in the know.

thanks anyway & i will check out your link.

Best regards

steve

 

[ewh]

I echo the question of when rev B is applied...
I have never seen a system that only uses "A" with a number. Do you have a character limit to force use of "B" (i.e. A9 then B1, using two characters)?
It seems as if not much thought was put into this system and it continues because "that is the way we've always done it." While there are legacy situations to be considered, that alone is not enough of a reason to continue with an inadequate system.
In addition to the info the others have given, I would recommend the "Engineering Documentation Control Handbook" by Frank Watts.

"Good to know you got shoes to wear when you find the floor." - [small]Robert Hunter[/small]