How does a vault with different folders not allow duplicate parts?
i.e.
A screw that is used on many parts will be located where?
If each "folder" holds a full assembly with all its parts, what if the parts need to be in other "folders"? How do I avoid duplicate parts?
I recently started working for a company that has had solidworks for about 10 years but have never used PDM, only folders... I'm researching ways we can start using PDM but we already have a crazy amount of duplicate parts. For example:
How should I go about cleaning this up?
That setting is done through the admin program.
I would set up a "Library" folder and then sub folders for the types (screws, nuts, washers...) You might wan't to look at limiting the ability to copy tree on these parts as well.
As far as cleaning it up. Maybe move the offenders into a temporary folder. Then delete the parts with a suffix. You'd have to replace them in the assemblies, but you wouldn't have to do them all at once. Just as you run across them.