Universal product naming/numbering?

So what do you use to keep track of what the next number is (not using any

Good question

 

SMA offers some very sound advice.

However, I'm going to disagree on using a Manufacturer's part number to
identifiy a file.

Typically, most users use the filename in a BOM table to identify the
part.

If this part is used in several sub-assemblies or finished goods the
number will probably appear in multiple drawing BOMs.

The manufacturer decides to make improvements to the part and indicates
this by adding a dash number 12345_1 to identify this new "improved"
part.

Rather than changing the value in a single place (Manufacturing BOM)
that references this new improved part (new revision rather than
totally new part - as it is backwards compatible) -- the user has to
cut an ECO to change all the assembly drawings across multiple product
lines in order to change the part number callout.

Had the company used a non-inteligent part number (or semi-intelligent)
number that didn't change - they wouldn't have to touch any of the
drawings - just cut an ECO stating the internal company part number was
now referencing a new external company part number and the effective
date.

i.e.

Company number: 23455 = 12345 Manufacturer number
Comapny number: 23455 = 12345_1 New Manufacturer's number.

This new number shows up in the Manufacturing BOM, purchase orders,
etc...
and no reference drawings need to be revised or updated to reflect this
simple change.

No assembly documents need to be revised either because the part number
isn't hard coded into the text. A picklist is generated that is
appended to the assembly document. This document is generated upon
issuance of a work order and thus would pick up the new part number
change.

This system works very well with PDM's that can take care of these
complex relationships fairly easily.

The operative word is filename. Using PDM systems you rarely need to
see the filename.All the pertinent information such as part number,
description, etc.. can be searched faster than having to look up file
names c/w descriptions, revisions, etc...

Just another point of view which should further cloud the issue.

Len

 

Indeed - the only real requirement - Uniqueness!

Agree!!

Its good to hear someone else "confirm" what my gut has
been telling me abt this problem!

I was using a file naming procedure based on the date I
created the mode;/drawing of the part.

Example.... say I modeled a bearing today. The
drawing/part number is:

2005-06-22-01

where the last two digits, the "01" are just a
sequential number

So if I did another drawing today it would end in "02".
And so on. I figures I cant do more than 99 drawings in
one day. <G

What abt that system?

And...... should the drawing number and the part number
strive to be the same number?

 

Just another point of view which should further cloud the issue.

Man this has been a great thread!!

Lost of good info!

Thanks all!

 

I don't know how a date helps you much, but if it does then there
doesn't occur to me to be any problems with it. You've got your unique
numbers and it isn't "intelligent" in any sense that would cause
somebody to ask for you to rename the file . . . UNLESS they wanted you
to update the filename when you make a change on a new date (in which
case ABANDON THAT SYSTEM quickly -- that's as bad as having a revision
in the filename, or maybe even worse).

Regarding having the NUMBER in the filename the same as the part number
-- certainly that's VERY helpful and I recommend it highly. In the very
least that means that Windows Explorer can be used to find a file that
reflects a particular part in a BOM, and there are other benefits as
well. But in many companies' systems a dash number suffix (e.g., -1 or
-2) can be added to the NUMBER in the filename to reflect similar but
slightly different parts . . . like left-hand and right-hand parts or
parts with and without a hole or other feature. Most parametric CAD
software's ability to create "configurations" of parts or assemblies can
be leveraged that way so that you have ONE drawing file (with multiple
sheets) to reflect ONE component model file (with multiple
configurations). The way I do it, I don't add a dash number to the
number in the filename unless I have multiple configurations, but you
COULD do it so that you ALWAYS add a -1 suffix, and then if you add a
configuration later it simply takes a -2 suffix. In one way that's less
problematic in that you don't have to change the part number of the
original part (by adding a -1 -- because it's already there), and that
also prevents you from having to change the next assembly (affect to the
BOM).

Mark 'Sporky' Stapleton
Watermark Design, LLC
www.h2omarkdesign.com

 

I don't know how a date helps you much, but if it does then there

well the deal with using the date and a sequential
number is that it is always a "unique" number. No way
can the method for mating the number allow the number
to be created more than once.

 

Since you *are* in the mood of trying out
different number generator(s), you can also
have a look at "swCP3" available FREE at
www.swCP3.com before making your decision.

Regards,

Vinodh Kumar M.
www.swCP3.com