PDM Standard...
Question: I need a variable to hold the document number. Value should be unique for each SW part, assembly and drawing, but allow the value for a drawing to be identical to that of a part or assembly. Currently I use two different variables: one for parts-assemblies, one for drawings. But then I have two different columns in my explorer view and I need to manually keep them identical.
I found the PRPSHEET-way, but is there another way, one that does not use SW as an intermediary for exchanging variable values?
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I know there are a lot of opinions about part and document numbering. I do not want to start a discussion about that, so here are my thoughts...
Some people advocate the use of different numbers for parts/assemblies and documents. I agree, but....
- The physical items, I do not call them 'Part' or 'Assembly', but 'Article'.
Articles are or may be subject to revision control, the FormFitFeatureFunction rule applies, etc. - To manufacture the articles, one needs documentation: TPD, or Technical Product Documentation.
TPD can be paper or digital documents and is subject to revision control just like articles - Which TPD items of which revision are linked to particular article revisions..another story
- Solidworks parts, assemblies and drawings are all documents.
In my view a part or assembly is just a particular species of document. And for solidworks files I prefer the [1 part <=> 1 drawing] and [ one assembly <=> one drawing ] system. It is a simple system, easy to understand and easy to manage.
And for this system I would like the part/drawing and assembly/drawing combos to have the same document number and revision. Versions I do not care about...
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