Drawing Number vs Part Number

[gtfriday]

We are in the middle of combining two companies into one and need to standardize a few things. One major issue is at one location the Part Number and the Drawing Number are one in the same. At the other location we have a number for the Part and a separate number for the Drawing. In the first location Part number = Drawing number so it is easy to find the drawing for a piece part. In the second location the part and the drawing are linked via the PLM so you must go one level deep in the structure of a part to find the drawing. What are the 'best practices' ? do you see Part number = Drawing number as best or a separate Drawing number from the part number.

 

[MadMango]

Will the current PLM system be migrated across the newly combined company? If so, then follow the separate Drawing Number/Part Number protocol. If the PLM system is going away, I believe the Drawing Number = Part Number is easier to follow for the reason you stated, less steps to get the information you desire.

Many companies feel that Drawings and Parts are different, and should get different identifiers.

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

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[gtfriday]

Yes, the existing PLM tool will be kept in place. Actually all of the data in on the one PLM now. The problems we are starting to see is that in one case the user sees a drawing as an attachment to the part (part number = drawing number0 and in the other case the user needs to go one level deeper in the part to find the drawing.

What are the advantages or disadvantages of each way? With the drawing separate from the part two records are created for each new part, but changes to the drawing (minor error corrections, tolerance change ... ) do not require a revision to the part. With the drawing = the part only one record is created but then sometimes the part revision is increased because of a minor drawing change. You experiences with drawing = part or drawing separate fomr paart will be helpful.

 

[KENAT]

thread781-215799 may be relevant

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[MadMango]

Member plmguy makes some great points in the above linked topic.

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

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