How Do I Export a BOM From a SolidWorks Assembly?

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How Do I Export a BOM From a SolidWorks Assembly?

If you are working with SolidWorks, you might need to export a Bill of Materials (BOM) from your assembly at some point. A BOM is a comprehensive list of all the components and parts that make up your assembly, and it can be extremely useful for various purposes such as documentation, manufacturing, and procurement.

Exporting a BOM from SolidWorks

To export a BOM from your SolidWorks assembly, follow these steps:

  1. Open your assembly: Start by opening the assembly in SolidWorks.
  2. Navigate to the ‘File’ menu: Click on the ‘File’ menu located at the top left corner of the screen.
  3. Select ‘Save As’: In the dropdown menu that appears when you click on ‘File’, select ‘Save As’.
  4. Choose ‘Excel Files (*.xls; *.xlsx; *.xlsm)’: In the dialog box that appears, choose ‘Excel Files (*.xlsm)’ as the file type.
  5. Specify a file name and location: Enter a desired file name for your BOM and choose a suitable location to save it on your computer.
  6. Click ‘Save’: Once you have specified the file name and location, click on the ‘Save’ button to export the BOM as an Excel file.

Tips for Exporting BOMs in SolidWorks

To ensure accurate and well-organized BOM exports from SolidWorks, consider these tips:

  • Review your assembly structure: Before exporting the BOM, double-check your assembly structure to ensure that it accurately represents the desired hierarchy of components.
  • Include relevant properties: Customize the BOM template to include properties such as part numbers, descriptions, quantities, and other pertinent information.
  • Apply sorting and filtering: SolidWorks provides options to sort and filter the BOM data based on specific criteria. Utilize these features to enhance usability.
  • Verify units and formatting: Confirm that the exported BOM reflects the correct units and formatting requirements for your specific needs.

Conclusion

Exporting a BOM from a SolidWorks assembly can be done easily by following a few simple steps. By exporting a comprehensive list of your assembly’s components, you can streamline documentation processes, facilitate manufacturing operations, and simplify procurement tasks. Remember to review your assembly structure, customize properties, apply sorting and filtering options, and verify units and formatting for optimal results.

So go ahead and export your BOM with confidence!