SolidWorks BOM Table header removal 1

[Standing]

Using SolidWorks 2006 sp4.1.

Does anyone know of a way to remove or not show the header for a SolidWorks BOM Table?

What we are trying to do is put schematics and the like in the front of the BOM with an item number of 0 (zero) and a quantity of 0 (zero). I have a template that does this. Then I would place the real BOM above this one. However the BOM header shows up and looks funny having two headers. In Excel we would insert a row and manually type in the data.

Management will accept the two headers, but they will not accept the data in another area of the drawing. They say we have been putting this information in front of the BOM for too long to change now. I have put in an enhancement requests.


Bradley

 

[EEnd]

Could you accomplish what you need by creating one or more parts that have no geometry and inserting them into your assembly? Then they could show up in the BoM and you would not need two BoMs. I think they would get item numbers and possibly quantities.

Eric

 

[Standing]

Eric
We are trying to get rid of the item numbers and quantities. After we put in the schematic and assembly spec’s the item numbers would have to start at 1.


Bradley

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Could you use a General Table? If you are stripping out the Column Headers, Numbers & Quantities from a BOM, you might as well go all the way & create your own table.


Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[Standing]

CorBlimeyLimey,
Thanks for the idea, but that is more work than just leaving the header in the BOM. I could not get the table to auto fill with BOM information, like description and part number.


Bradley

 

[handleman]

I believe what CBL meant was to have a general table for you schematics only. However, if I understand correctly, you want, from top to bottom:

1. Header row
2. One or more rows of item #0 qty 0 for schematics
3. The actual parts in the BOM.

You can still insert a row in a SolidWorks BOM. However, each time you try to edit a cell you get the nag box that asks if you really want to change the value. You can get around this with API/VBA. You would have a macro that would insert a row at the top of the BOM. You could populate the row in many ways, from InputBox[es] for each column value to a UserForm with text boxes and data validation for you to enter your schematic numbers/names etc.

 

[Standing]

Yes you are right. CorBlimeyLimey idea works. However I have to enter each description and part number for each schematic. That is what we did in Excel. Now that I see how nice the SolidWorks BOM table fills in the data, I will take that over typing it in. Even though I get an extra header.

Bradley

 

[handleman]

What I meant was that you can insert a row into a SolidWorks BOM, just like you can in Excel. Then you would still have only one table. The only issue is that when you double-click a cell to manually edit it SW throws up a nag box that asks if you want to overwrite the parametrically controlled text in the cell. Except that when you insert a blank row there's no parametric data there.

Re-reading your last post... Is your schematic table also filled out automatically somehow as a BOM?

 

[Standing]

Yes the schematic table is filled out as a BOM. We build an empty assembly with the data in each part. Then I insert a BOM which fills in the description and part number. The item and qty is automatically changed to a 0 in the template.

I could not figure out how to insert a blank row at the beginning of a BOM, then have the item 0 and then the next row would be item 1 from the assembly model. Can you tell me how to insert a blank row in the BOM?


Bradley

 

[handleman]

Sorry, I forgot that I don't use the SW assigned item number at all. Mine are all overwritten. I have a macro that:
1. Reads the part number column
2. Re-numbers the the BOM item number to the part number for all fab parts
3. Re-numbers the BOM item number to "101" for all purchased parts
4. Sorts fab parts at the top in part number order
5. Sorts purchased parts by maker then part number
6. Re-numbers all BOM item numbers for purchased parts beginning at 101.


If you want the BOM to start at 1 with all zeros above, you would have to get the parts portion of the BOM the way you want it and then in the table properties hit the button for "Do not change item numbers". You can then right-click on the first row and choose Insert->Row Above. You'll get a blank row that's numbered with whatever number is next. You can double-click on the cells of that row and edit them manually.

 

[Standing]

Thanks handleman, a star for you. I would never have found that insert row without your help.

Bradley