Part Numbering in SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional

When implementing a new SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Vault Customers will have the option to review their part numbering and classification requirements as they move to a system that allows them to, in most cases, automate the way the identify ‘parts’ within the Vault. Part Numbering is something that a lot of customers approach differently and this is often based on ‘how it’s always been done’ without necessarily considering what is the purpose of a Part Number within their organisations and wider within their supply chains. If we consider the humble part number. What is it’s purpose?

If we consider the humble part number. What is it’s purpose?

In essence, a part number is simply a unique identifier for an item approved for a specific application. It’s formatting should be consistent, and remain unambiguous throughout that items lifecycle. This is essential for correct product assembly, testing and maintenance.
A good part number therefore simply allows us to clearly distinguishing one part from other.
There are other good practices we should consider though.

• Numbers should have a consistent number of characters, noting that based on research a string of more than 7 characters increases the risk of data entry errors and are a lot less memorable
• Numbers should have a consistent format that is easily identifiable and not prone to being truncated if reproduced in another system where (for example) leading zeros are not permitted in a field.

To address the above customers will typical employ perhaps one of three approaches.

• Simple Sequential Document and Part Numbers. These can be assigned by PDM out of the box and can also be configured to include a fixed component (a pre or post-fix) that when added to a PDM file Template or file specific DataCard can create a semi-significant scheme that, for example, distinguishes between Parts and Assemblies through a basic mnemonic (P for Parts, A for Assemblies etc). Semi-Significant or Significant / Intelligent Part Numbers, which require human interpretation and assignment, can take a number of forms
• Semi-significant numbers can be assigned where simple classification requirements vary a prefix based on a high level classification. This could be to differentiate between a designed component and a bought in part. This could also be to tag a component as being Project or Product Specific, by (for example) including an inherited Project or Product number within the prefix that the sequential counter is assigned to. It could also be used to differentiate between types of Assemblies, where (for example) a top level arrangement is numbered differently to the subassemblies that make it up.
• Significant / Intelligent numbers are often built up of a number of discreet components that can describe the part or assembly using codes to illustrate things such as a component category and sub-category / type, specific options, colour, finish and even Revision. These tend to be hangovers from a Pre-CAD era and often have accompanying ‘guides’ that a new employee must learn. This learning curve is not straight forward however, as there are often outliers – new variants and exceptions that do not fit within the original design of the Intelligent part numbering system.