SW output to MRP system 1

[SteveJJH]

I was wondering if anyone out there is outputting any data from solidworks to an MRP system, either directly, or with some sort of interim step through Excel or some other program.

My aim is to be able to output a BOM, if I were about to try this, does anyone have any advice?

 

[jassco]

Hi, Steve:

If your MRP is a window based application, it can read BOM data from BOM object in Solidworks via API.

Best regards,

Alex

 

[SteveJJH]

I don't know a lot about it, but it will run through Internet Explorer, so this would be an option.

I guess writing a macro would be the only option, I must dust off my .net book.

 

[Updraft]

It is easy to output a variety of BOM styles/formats in Excel, i.e., indented or not, top level only, detailed part numbering (from the drawing BOM referring to the balloon numbering), etc.

- - -Updraft

 

[SteveJJH]

Speaking of which, indented output doesn't seem to work (2011sp3). It lists the components in the order you would expect, but they're not indented

 

[gwubs]

SteveJJH, we do an assembly traversal using Excel to produce BOMs for purchasing. In order to make it work we follow some simple rules for structuring our assemblies. We can produce output for assemblies containing 1000's of parts, including subassemblies in minutes - actually more like seconds. We make considerable use of custom properties also. Search API help for assembly traversal.

 

[SteveJJH]

I agree, custom properties is going to be key. I wish I could get people to fill them in.

 

[gwubs]

To all those who are interested, here is the worksheet (from net) that got us started several years ago. Even if you can't read German, it makes sense when you get into the code. Just load an assembly isn SW and hit "Stuckliste aktualisieren"
If anyone is interested, I might be able to add detail of what we do at our company. I'd have to get approval to post anything specific.

 

[SteveJJH]

I seem to be having a problem at this line of code:

Set Configuration = AssemblyDoc.GetActiveConfiguration()

on both your excel sheet and the Assembly Traversal (.NET) example in API Help. I get the message "Object reference not set to an instance of an object."

It's been a long time since I did any programming, so maybe I'm a bit out of my depth here

 

[gwubs]

Hi SteveJJH
I just tried it in SW 2011, and it works for me. Do you have an assembly open in a running session of SW? Maybe reboot your machine. You may need to update your references, but I'd try first with a reboot.

 

[SteveJJH]

Are you running Windows 7? We've had all sorts of macro issues since upgrading.

How do I update my references?

 

[gwubs]

SteveJJH - yes, running Win7 64 bit. Set references by right clicking sheet tab, select "view code",Tools,References. Check boxes selected per attached screenshot. Hope this helps.