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Toolbox Configurations, Part Numbers, BOM, and User Specified Name

Question asked by Nicholas Skoolicas on Apr 5, 2016
Latest reply on Dec 9, 2016 by Faur Arama

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Toolbox parts. Updated the manager and told them all to have part numbers matching our database, and descriptions. Having trouble with getting the correct part number to show up on BOMs.

In the configuration properties of a toolbox part, I see that you can change between "Document Name", "Configuration Name", and "User Specified Name".

Document is out as that's not helpful.

I might be able to use Configuration, but then the configurations themselves, instead of verbose descriptions in the design tree. They'll also be inane DP0072 like on the database.

Last is the User Specified name which is great... but then I have to manually go through every configuration and set that to what it is in the Database. Which I could do. But when done, I'll have gone quite insane.

So, Solutions, Haxors, Wisdom?

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Jim Steinmeyer Apr 5, 2016 5:50 PM
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Don't use Toolbox parts? I can't remember the last place I worked that used Toolbox parts for this reason. Create individual parts from the toolbox and save them in your vault. Time consuming the first time but things work correctly there after.
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- Dan Pihlaja @ Jim Steinmeyer on Apr 7, 2016 9:18 AM
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  I created our own fastener and used a design table to control part numbers and such.
  
  This way, I was able to add the part number field to any property I wanted.
  
  The only issue that I have not is that I can't get the silly little drop down box to sort itself, no matter how the design table is sorted.
  
  But it was worth the time to make it in my opinion.
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  - Nicholas Skoolicas @ Dan Pihlaja on Apr 7, 2016 12:51 PM
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    Dan that is exactly what I'm trying to do. My issue is that I still have to manually adjust the part numbers on the BOM, as for whatever reason, they default to the base part number of the toolbox component.
    
    IE, if doing a BOM for a drawing that includes a toolbox part, the BOM will show "socket head cap screw_ai" (as I haven't renamed the base screw part yet) or "DP0000" (which I already changed for the dowel pins to update on our server)
    As opposed to "SHCS0015" or "DP0072". Which are both part numbers stored in the toolbox.
    
    Oddly, if I actively have the toolbox part opened (the DP0000, or whatever) and try to create the BOM. It will show the correct part number of DP0072.
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    - Dan Pihlaja @ Nicholas Skoolicas on Apr 7, 2016 12:57 PM
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      OK, try this:
      
      When you open the toolbox part, and then open the file properties, do you have properties in the "Custom" tab that are the same name as in the "Configuration Specific" tab?
      
      They can be the same name, but there is an order to how they are used.
      
      If course, this doesn't seem to make sense that the BOM would update correctly only if the part is open, but I think its worth a try.
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      - Nicholas Skoolicas @ Dan Pihlaja on Apr 7, 2016 2:00 PM
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        Both the custom and Configuration Specific tabs are empty as we haven't filled them in yet.
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- Nicholas Skoolicas @ Jim Steinmeyer on Apr 7, 2016 12:49 PM
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  Sorry to be rude, but how exactly does that help me with the problem I asked? With what you're saying. Instead of editing the toolbox part itself to include our part numbers (which it's already done) and making those PNs expressed in drawings. (Which is the problem)
  Instead I should make individual parts for every single bolt, screw, dowel pin, and god only knows what else we use. Then search through every single assembly we have that includes "dowel pin_ai", "socket head cap screw_ai" , "hex bolt_ai". And manually update all of them to the new part numbers. A task that could easily take several months, or even years, due to the vast amount of assemblies I'd have to update. (and yes, that is an I. I am the only 1 tasked with this project).
  
  But you know what. Disregard this whole post. As when I fired up my machine to go to work on updating these things today... they're showing in the BOM properly, without me doing... anything.
  
  Edit. Ok nvm they only show up when the base toolbox component is actively open...
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  - Dan Pihlaja @ Nicholas Skoolicas on Apr 7, 2016 12:47 PM
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    Mainly because I was trying to do the same thing you are doing and I couldn't get it to work. Mostly because we already had some set custom parameters that we used for part number and such (they were here before I was). And the problem was that I couldn't get those custom parameters into the regular toolbox components in a reliable way. I just couldn't get it to work all the time.
    
    So my solution was to create one custom part (for each type of fastener) and control it using a design table. Then I could get my custom properties to work. I added that to the toolbox and now I can use them just like a toolbox component.
    
    In our world here, for legacy items, we only update them as we work on them, so it is only a hassle once.
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  - Jim Steinmeyer @ Nicholas Skoolicas on Apr 7, 2016 2:56 PM
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    Nicholas,
    What I am saying is that instead of just pulling the part from the toolbox and using it every place I have worked had pulled the part and saved it as a new part giving it a new number. We have done that in part because of the challenges you are currently facing. This isn't just where I am now but at 4 different companies with from 3 to 30 engineers. The way that helps is avoiding continuing to beat your head and waste time.
    I like what Dennis has suggested and would be inclined to try it.
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Dennis Dohogne Apr 7, 2016 10:21 AM
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Nicholas,
Once we learned how to use ToolBox we wouldn't be without it. Compared to SWX in general the original ToolBox instruction was non-obvious such as the import/export setting (far right red circled area). This allowed us to export the database into a spreadsheet. We generated a list of our system fasteners from our ERP system and exported that to Excel. We then matched the ERP part numbers and descriptions to the fields of the ToolBox spreadsheet and then imported that back into TB. Easy-breezy! I think this is exactly what you are looking for. The result is shown below with our part numbers and descriptions:
We never had a problem with the correct part number and description showing up in our BOMs. I checked and for what it's worth the BOM option was set by default to User Specified Name:
The beauty of ToolBox fasteners is:
1. They are already generated so you don't have to create any of your own models. They even have several options for display already built in.
2. They are easy to load with your own part numbers and descriptions (as described above)
3. They already have the Smart Mates assigned
4. They are easy to change and even easier in SWX2016
5. They can be excluded from BOMs, or weight, or other items since they have a property of fastener already assigned to them. (You cannot do this easily if the fasteners were created like any other configured part.)
6. It provides a standardized list of your own company's fasteners to choose from, yet it is still very easy to add a new one.

We found the alternative of making and using our own fastener part files to end up being a whole lot less convenient and functional compared to ToolBox. Once we figured out the trick of loading our part numbers and descriptions the rest was easy and so very beneficial. We wouldn't do it any other way.
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- Claudio Stammitti @ Dennis Dohogne on Nov 1, 2016 3:33 PM
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  Hello Dennis,
  
  How did you do the export and import of the database from the TB and back into it?. I want to achieve the same thing, a custom parameter, and description for every configuration, but not going through it manually. We also do use the TB plenty and for us is very reliable and comprehensive so far.
  
  Please let me know your comments, thanks
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  - Faur Arama @ Claudio Stammitti on Dec 9, 2016 11:57 AM
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    On Toolbox Settings app select one of the fastener. In upper right corner you have an arrow button. Here select option "Export data" and you can save specific data to an excel file. Now using specific excel function you can complete part number and description. After that using the same button you van import data from excel file
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Toolbox Configurations, Part Numbers, BOM, and User Specified Name

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