Solidworks Configurations - file size & non-dimensional differences

[Rodger Furey]

Problem: A part is dimensionally/physically identical in all variations. The only difference is the voltage and material the part is made from.
Every combination of voltage and material means there can be dozens of variations.
Each variation has a unique part number that needs to show up in a drawing BOM. The part number is the only difference.

The only way I know to deal with this is by using configurations, which significantly increases the file size of that part ... just for a few characters of text.
An upper-level assembly with many parts like this quickly becomes very unwieldy.

Does anyone else have to deal with this sort of situation? What do you do?
Is there any sort of work-around that would allow me to maintain many part number properties with just one configuration?
note: All the part numbers need to appear in the same BOM part number column of the assy drawing.

Thx!

 

[ctopher]

We make solenoids. Each series have different magnetic properties, but physically the same size.
I make configurations with dash numbers. The only difference are the descriptions.
You can have the BOM show all configurations.

Chris, CSWP
SolidWorks
ctophers home

 

[SSCon]

You can purge cached configuration data.

https://help.solidworks.com/2024/English/SWConnected/swdotworks/t_Purging_Configuration_Data.htm