Part Numbering Systems for CAD management.

This is where you have to be very clear on why you are numbering
files. In your customer's mind, whether the shop floor or a client
they can only deal with the concept you are making 000001 Bolt,
1/4-20x4 Hex GR8 Zinc Plated. However, in engineering this "part" may
have an embodiment as a rolled thread item (E000001), a cut thread
item (E000002) and a cast item (E000003) as you mentioned. (I don't
know who would cast a 1/4-20 bolt but this is just hypothetical). Each
would be modelled differently. So engineering might want a separate
unique number for each which at a later date when the decision is made
to use one or the other variant that engineering part number is
associated with the number 000001 which is the customer's number. PDM
makes this really easy. Without PDM it can be handled with a
spreadsheet and custom properties.

Using this system you would have in the custom properties for file
E000001.sldprt:

PartNo E000001
Description Bolt, 1/4-20x4 Hex GR8 Zinc Plated, Rolled
CustPartNo 000001
CustDescription Bolt, 1/4-20x4 Hex GR8 Zinc Plated

While in the custom properties for file E000002.sldprt:

PartNo E000002
Description Bolt, 1/4-20x4 Hex GR8 Zinc Plated, Cut
CustPartNo -
CustDescription -

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