One part number - multiple suppliers

[wiengines]

Using NX6...

We have been having a debate recently about how to handle our NX files when we run into situations where we have one part number that is supplied by multible suppliers. Generally, these parts will be castings, and the differences will be things like cast datum structures.

One camp believes that you create a complete model for supplier #1, and then link that body into a model for supplier #2. After that, they will do whatever they need to do to change the body to show how we recieve it from supplier #2.

The other camp believes that you create a complete model for supplier #1, and then perform a save as to create the model for supplier #2.

I see valid points in both approaches.
In approach #1, one would only have to update features in the first model and then have them cascade to the second model. However, we sometimes run into issues where we want to make a change to only the model for the first model, and not the second model (or the other way around)

In approach number #2, we have two seperate models that are not tied to each other, so it is much easier to make a change and only have it affect that particular model. However, some people do not prefer this approach because some of our models can have 1500-2000 features in them and it can become quite tedious making a change to both models. The fear exists that something that is done in one model may be missed in the other model.

I am curious to hear how others out there handle this type of scenerio.

Chris T.
Project Design Analyst
Kohler Co. Engine Division

 

[wecurb]

"linked" wave or promotions?

 

[wiengines]

We have been using Wave links (the company that I work for was under the impression that promotions were going away)

Chris T.
Project Design Analyst
Kohler Co. Engine Division
Using NX6

 

[looslib]

Can you physically tell the difference in the castings supplied by the different suppliers?
If you can, why do they have the same part number?
Do these parts make the same part after machining?

If they are different enough that you buy them from different suppliers for a reason other than production loading, then the copy and modify (to a different part numer) would be my method.

Use promotions to make the machined models from these castings.
If you have 95% similar fetures of the casting and chnages are always made to all castings, wave linked will work at the casting level.


"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."

Ben Loosli

 

[wiengines]

Generally, the differences are minor.

We have two scenerios:
1) We will design a casting, as well as the finished machined part. But the supplier will cast the part and then will machine it as well. So, supplier #1 may want to have thier cast datum features one way for their particular machining operations, while supplier #2 will want the cast datum features a different way for thier particular machining operations. Once we recieve the part, we do not care where it came from, since the finished part functions exactly the same.
2) On other parts, we will buy the casting and then machine it in house. Generally, the cast datum features will be the same from both suppliers. But in this case, the differences may be things like the amount of machine stock on the part, cored hole sizes, parting lines, etc. But once we machine the parts, they function the same regardless of where they came from.

Yes, these parts will make the same part after machining.

Why do we not have different part numbers for parts from different suppliers? That is a question that we in engineering often ask. Unfortunately, our purchasing department makes those decisions, and they are not too concerned about the effects of those decisions.

In thoery, the differences are minor enough that I think we can handle with links between the files. But, we have ran into instances where purchasing has decided to stop buying from supplier #1, and just buy all part from supplier #2. Once that happens, sometimes the original model with all of the features gets obsoleted and moved off-line. Then we end up with a model with broken links for supplier #2.

I would love to use promotions instead of wave links, but that is a battle that I have been losing for quite some time.

Thank you for your input!

Chris T.
Project Design Analyst
Kohler Co. Engine Division
Using NX6

 

[JohnRBaker]

I would love to use promotions instead of wave links, but that is a battle that I have been losing for quite some time.

It's extremely disappointing that a 'policy' (official or otherwise) prevents an employee from properly utilizing a tool which when it was paid for, included the desirable functionality. It would be like paying extra for a 3-stage lift-truck for the factory and then telling the driver that he's not allowed to make any lifts which would exceed that of a 2-stage lift-truck.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[wiengines]

Well, I suppose it is an official policy since we have promotions turned off in our customer defaults.

Here is another thing that is frustrating: we have 15 designers, and two licenses of Advanced Assemblies. We have been told NOT to use the features available to us in Advanced Assemblies BECAUSE we only have the two licenses! I can't agree more, it makes no sense at all to pay for something and then not use it!

Chris T.
Project Design Analyst
Kohler Co. Engine Division
Using NX6

 

[looslib]

Usually the features of a package like advanced assemblies are only required to create or edit the features. Once created, the files will still load in a normal session of NX.


"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."

Ben Loosli

 

[JohnRBaker]

Exactly what 'features' of Advanced Assemblies have you considered using, but have avoided doing so because of your company's 'policy'?

The reason I ask this is because many of the 'features' of Advanced Assemblies, once enabled and set-up, can be leveraged by other users WITHOUT needing to actually check-out the Advanced license. In fact, a ratio of 2 Advanced licenses for 15 designers is just about right and was probably arrived at based on recommendations from our people at the time that your system was first purchased and installed.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[wiengines]

The only things that we have generally used advanced assemblies for is component grouping and linked exteriors.

We create the linked exteriors as needed to send skin models to customers so that they only see the outside of the product without any internal details.

Our assemblies can get rather large, and there are some nice tools in advance assemblies (like component groups) that I feel we could use to our benefit.

Instead of grouping components, most designers here will just try to manage thier assemblies with layers. I know, not the best solution!

Chris T.
Project Design Analyst
Kohler Co. Engine Division
Using NX6