×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

How to determine a serial number

How to determine a serial number

How to determine a serial number

(OP)
Hi

My company as always made customized machines, so there's only one exemplary of each machine we do. But we got a projet where we have to built many exemplary of the same model. I would like to write a serial number on the machines but since I'd never determined how to give a serial number to a machine I don't know what to write.

If someone can tell me what they put in a serial number it would help me a lot, because I don't want to put a number without knowing why I choose this number.

Thanks in advance

Patrick

RE: How to determine a serial number

If you don't need to identify anything unique to these machines, just start with S/N 1000.

RE: How to determine a serial number

First, you have to determine what is the reason for wanting a serial number?  Is it to identify the unit you build, or to track the units you build?

Usually, serial numbers are used for tracking purposes, while model numbers are used to identify units.

If it's just for tracking purposes, I don't see anything wrong with Metalguy's suggestion, and starting with 1000 or 10000... it depends on the quanities you are dealing with.

Ray Reynolds
"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."
Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: How to determine a serial number

PatCouture,

In my previous position I designed custom machinary.  The typical jobs consisted of a custom piece of machinery.  On the rare occasion that we did multiples of the same machine we would use the overall assembly drawing number with a -01 to -XX.  This allowed us to track and note any changes on the overall assembly drawings and translate that back to the units that were in operation in the field.  Also if the machine was a production prototype we included a P at the end of the serial number.  I think it is appropriate to use any numbering scheme you want, as long as it supports the documentation and drawings that you have on record.

Rich.....

Richard Nornhold, PE
nornrich@redrose.net

RE: How to determine a serial number

Or her's a novel idea.  The first machine is number 1, the second is number 2 and so on.

I never understood the logic behind attempting to disguise the fact that the first machine is actually number 1.

Other common methods of serialzation involve working the date of manufacture into the number.

For example:

S/N 040203 could be the third machine built in the second week of the year 2004.

The number is unimportant, and can be arbitrary as long as it is unique.  What is important is that you establish a system to link the number back to whatever information about the machine is important to you and your customer so that you can easily find it in the future.

RE: How to determine a serial number

MintJulip,
Have you never worked with Model 1, Number 1, and the Only 1 and try to get parts and service?

RE: How to determine a serial number

Have had the same problem with unit number 210001

TTFN

RE: How to determine a serial number


If u r planning to number every machine u made, add machine codes to your serial number. Also u have to give a code to your machines first. Later when u see a serial number later, u will also know which machine is it.

PF

RE: How to determine a serial number

Presumably you have unique job numbers.  I would give it a number sequence as follows: Job No./1; Job No./2 etc.  That way you can easily identify it down the track, especially if they are separated, from other single units.  This is along the same lines as to use the top assembly drawing number.

RE: How to determine a serial number

Unclesyd,

Yes I have.  The first one built is the first one built.  Giving it a serial number of 875936 doesn't change that, only attempts to hide the fact.

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources