Creating a BOM Template in SolidWorks
In SolidWorks, a Bill of Materials (BOM) template is a great tool to organize and document the components of your design. A BOM template helps you keep track of all the parts, quantities, and other important information related to your assembly.
To create a BOM template in SolidWorks, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Creating a New BOM Template
To start, open your SolidWorks assembly and go to the “File” menu. From the drop-down menu, select “Make Drawing from Assembly.” This will create a new drawing file for your assembly.
Once the drawing file is created, click on the “Bill of Materials” button from the “Annotations” tab on the left-hand side of the window. This will open up the “Bill of Materials PropertyManager.”
Step 2: Customizing Your BOM Template
In the Bill of Materials PropertyManager, you can customize your BOM template according to your specific requirements. Here are some key options you can consider:
– BOM Type: Choose between “Indented” or “Indented with numbering” depending on how you want your BOM to be structured.
– Column Options: Customize which columns you want to include in your BOM. You can add columns for part number, description, quantity, material, etc.
– Sorting Options: Specify how you want your components to be sorted in the BOM. You can sort them by part number, description, quantity, or any other relevant parameter.
- Adding Columns: To add a new column to your BOM template, click on the “Add Column” button in the PropertyManager. A list of available properties will appear. Select the desired property and click “OK.”
- Removing Columns: To remove a column from your BOM template, select the column in the PropertyManager and click on the “Remove Column” button.
– Formatting Options: SolidWorks allows you to format your BOM template by changing fonts, colors, and other visual attributes to make it more visually appealing and easy to read.
Step 3: Saving Your BOM Template
Once you have customized your BOM template, click on the “Save As” button in the PropertyManager. Give your template a name and choose a location to save it.
Using Your BOM Template
Now that you have created and saved your BOM template, you can easily use it in future drawings. Here’s how:
– Open a new drawing file for your assembly.
– Click on the “Bill of Materials” button from the “Annotations” tab to open the Bill of Materials PropertyManager.
– In the PropertyManager, click on the “Browse” button next to “BOM Template.” This will open up a file browser window.
– Navigate to the location where you saved your BOM template, select it, and click “Open.”
– The selected BOM template will be applied to your drawing. You can further customize it if needed by following the steps mentioned earlier.
With a well-designed BOM template in SolidWorks, you can save time and ensure accurate documentation of your assembly’s components. Remember to regularly update your BOM as changes occur in your design to maintain accuracy throughout the product development process.
In conclusion, creating a BOM template in SolidWorks is an essential step towards efficient assembly management. By customizing columns, sorting options, and formatting attributes, you can create visually appealing and organized bills of materials that enhance productivity and streamline collaboration.