Change part count in assembly

[Russell67]

Aside from creating an array is there a way that i can change the quantity of an item in the assembly so the drawing see's it as more than the inserted amount.

 

[ctopher]

Do you mean in the BOM? Or do you want to show more parts in the dwg than there really are in the assy?
I'm not clear...

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 06/08
ctopher's home (updated Jul 13, 2008)

 

[DesignerGuy16]

Add a pattern and hide the parts inside it. That should populate your BOM.

James Spisich
Design Engineer, CSWP

 

[Russell67]

We are currently creating the array and hiding the parts but it seems clunky and if the part is complex it just adds to the slowness of the system.

Yes i want to show more parts in the drawing than in the assembly without overriding the drawing bom quantity.

The current MRP system reads the assembly bom then people in purchasing compare that to the drawing.

I am on a search for a better method and am wondering if there is a way to manipulate the assembly BOM before the drawing reads it.

Thanks in advance for any solutions.

 

[MadMango]

Can you create a simplified configuration of your Patterned parts? If you Suppress some features, but still retain the over-all look of the part, your performance should increase and folks in Purchasing will be happy.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of these Forums?

 

[Russell67]

Oh i forgot to mention that i can't modify the original properties of the part itself, this is why i want to keep this only associated with the assembly it is used on.

We already try to keep the part as simple as possible, if we suppress certain features it often has a ripple effect throught other designs.

 

[ctopher]

I'm with MM. Create a configuration.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 06/08
ctopher's home (updated Jul 13, 2008)

 

[DesignerGuy16]

Hiding parts (even complex) is actually pretty computer friendly. If shown was 100% computer usage, hidden is probably in the range of 25% usage or less, where suppressed is 0%. Even though it calculates mates, it takes much more memory to actually render the parts.

Try it and see. Yea it's clunky, but it gets the job done.

I'm in the mind though if you're adding parts in one assembly, but are actually put elsewhere I'd make a whole new assembly so the parts are actually shown. That's just my anal, it's in 3D, make your models 100% accurate to real world side of me talking.


James Spisich
Design Engineer, CSWP

 

[MadMango]

If you use configs correctly, you shouldn't have propagating problems, as only the assemblies you choose would use the simplified config.

With you given limitations, it seems as though you will have to use Component Patterns or manually change the BoM quantities on the drawing.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of these Forums?

 

[Russell67]

Can't do it with configurations because of the PLM system and with rights to the original file. I know get a better PLM tool, can't do that either.

Well for the most part the models are accurate, we do alot with refernce models and in the hopes of ensuring that as the design changes the quantities are represented accuratly.

Any other suggestions?

 

[DesignerGuy16]

What do you think of using the hidden pattern driven with a design table? Makes it a little more deliberate and easier to understand.

James Spisich
Design Engineer, CSWP