Hi,

We get metalwork machined by one company then get another company to plate/finish it. Within the department there are two ways of creating the two drawings that are required to produce the finished part. The first puts the part into an assembly so there is a drawing for the part and a drawing for the finished part in the assembly. The second links both drawings with the single part file.

  Finish Drawing

           I

Finish Assembly (nothing in assembly other than the single part)

           I

  Part Drawing

           I

        Part

Part Drawing ----- Finish Drawing

                      I

                   Part

To complicate deciding a best pratice, we also reuse the base part in other assemblies with a different finish. This means that the first method for further finishes requires the part to be put into additional assemblies to create the drawing. The second method requires just an additonal drawing (all be it in another job folder).

Finish Drawing                  Finish Drawing

         I                                        I

Finish Assembly               Finish Assembly

         I                                        I

          ----------------------------------------

                            I

                  Part Drawing

                            I

                         Part

Part Drawing ----- Finish Drawing1 ----- Finish Drawing2

                                  I

                                Part

After typing all this out I think I might have just answered my own question, but I'm keen to see what methods other people employ.

Regards,

M