Electronic Parts Numbering System

[MountainLogic]

I need to set up a parts numbering system to cover electronics, hardware, enclosures, assemblies and finished goods for a small start-up that makes small electronic products. My question is are there any good top level category codes that are available so that I can avoid doing it myself from scratch.

The last time I did this (20 years ago) we just grabbed a large cross industry catalog and stole there numbering system. Unfortunately, we can't seem to find any of those old directories anymore (something Parts Master, I think).

Thanks

 

[CharlieGill]

There are an infinite number of schemes that will work and it just depends somewhat on your needs but mostly just your preferences. I usually try to use something like
xx-yyyyy-zzz
where xx is an alpha abbreviation that describes the type of part.
yyyyy is the numeric part identifier,
and zzz is the (optional) identifier for similar parts with different value possibilities.
Examples:
RS-10013-106 is a resistor, the 10013 family might be a 5% 1206 X7R ceramic chip cap, and 106 would be a standard designation for a .1uf value.
I don't try to get clever with the family numbering scheme, I just start with 10000 for the first one and go from there. I try to make the optional suffix somewhat indicative of the part, for example, a dual pin header family with a suffix of 205 would be a 2x5 pattern (two rows by five pins).
For the part type just use common sense,
RS=resistor
CP=capacitor
CN=connector
MI-miscellaneous (always comes in handy)
etc.

You can assign the family number to match the common part number is some cases.
For example IC-11000-xxx can be the 74Cxx family the xxx will be the last digits of the standard part. IC-11000-013 is a 74C13.

Just the way I do it.
Good luck.

Charlie

 

[CharlieGill]

I will also give a free plug for Parts&Vendors as a great, well, parts and vendors database. (

http://www.trilogydesign.com)

I've used it for years in a small engineering and manufacturing environment and am quite happy with it. It does not dictate what part number format to use.
Charlie

 

[itsmoked]

I have heard good things about it too.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[matthewm1965]

I have also used P&V, but as with all these database systems, you have to be diciplined in the way you name things. Uper case, lower case, full stops etc. It can be easier for the user to add a new part number than it is to search for an existing item.

Restricting users from creating new items and just have a few super users who can add new items helps, but you will always end up with duplicate items.

Matt