How to manage revisions?

Hi,
At the moment I'm working at a company with solidworks without pdm software.
Can anybody tell me what's the best way to manage revisions?

My thoughts:
1.
On part level I could use configurations and name the configuration by
example A or B (the revision)
On assembly level I would need to use a Save-as to maintain the original
assembly.

2.
Use Save-as operation on both parts and assemblies. I would have to begin
with a Save-as operation in the assembly. Then I can use save-as operations
in the revised assembly.

Can anybody tell which way is preferred?
Or tell me a better way to manage revisions?



Grtz,



Bas

 

Although your idea using configurations is innovative and will probably
be easier than renaming files, you'll still end up with more complexity
than you're going to want. If you use Drawings for your parts and
assemblies then why not just archive those files as PDF and/or DWG and
be done with them? If you really do need to maintain model history (and
I'd have to ask "why?") then your plan is about as good as one can get
without PDM.

Mark 'Sporky' Stapleton
Charlotte, NC

 

I concur.

I started out this way when I got to my current job. Either with RevA
configs, or by renaming the drawing and part to Part-RevA, and putting both
in the archive directory.

Quickly found out that this is a real PITA. You have to make sure the
renamed drawing points to the RevA part file, and it takes up a lot more
drive space.

And you don't even want to think about the problems you're going to have as
you need to archive assemblies.

Just save the old revs as PDF and be done with it.

-nick e.

note that PDF is better than DWG because the PDF file can't be changed.
Well, at least not nearly as easily.