The document outlines a webinar hosted by Steve Hess on mastering SolidWorks BOMs using OpenBOM, covering essential topics and integration features. It discusses the process of creating BOMs from SolidWorks assemblies, the significance of part classifications, and managing SolidWorks properties effectively. Additionally, the document emphasizes best practices for part numbering and settings to optimize BOM creation and management.

1. In OpenBOM
Steve Hess
Director of User Experience, OpenBOM
stevehess@openbom.com
July 15, 2020
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)
Mastering SolidWorks BOMs

2. Webinar basics
You are all muted
Please type questions in the chat window or send to support@openbom.com
We will publish a recording following the event
I will share this deck with the playback.
This is meant to be a casual event….. And maximise use of time
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

3. About Mastering Solidworks BOMs in OpenBOM
Breaking into several “Episodes” as follows:
Webinar #24: New BOMs, Settings, Properties, Update OpenBOM, Save Item
Webinar #25: Part Classifications, Templates, Bi-Directional properties
Webinar #26: SolidWorks Configurations, Purchased Assemblies
Webinar #27: SWX BOM Maintenance
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

4. Webinar #24 (today) in particular
Creating new BOMs - literally 3 minutes to a create first real functional BOM
Sending SolidWorks properties to OpenBOM (Part Number, etc)
Updating CAD changes to OpenBOM
Tour the OpenBOM “Settings”
Part Classifications by Catalog
Do’s and Don’ts
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

5. Definitions:
Integration/Addin/Plugin: An app which runs inside of a CAD platform like Solidworks.
OpenBOM is a SolidWorks “App”
Multi Level BOM: A BIll of Materials organized into levels to show structure. Most often
product structure.
Single Level BOM: By definition, a Bill of Materials with no structure or levels
Catalog: A list of Items used by your company to make your products. Often called an
Inventory or an Item Master, this is a list of parts and sub-assemblies and associated
information needed to put your final product together.
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

6. OpenBOM for SolidWorks Basics
● OpenBOM requires the installation of an addin to create BOMs from Solidworks
○ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz8YQy9trtU
● BOMs are created from SWX Assemblies only
● Individual SWX Parts may be saved to OpenBOM using Save Item Command
● OpenBOM for Solidworks integration requires a license
○ Free Trial or Professional User or above. www.openbom.com
○ Or, You may be a member of your Team or Company
● SolidWorks 2016 or later although some functionality works with earlier swx versions
● Solidworks PDM and Windows File Explorer addins are supported but not covered here
● Upload from Folders, Excel, other CAD also supported in other webinars
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

7. Lessons
Lesson #1 - Create a BOM from Solidworks assembly really quick
Lesson #2 - What Just Happened, where does Part Number come from?
Lesson #3 - Dealing with Solidworks properties (add Finish)
Lesson #4 - OpenBOM Settings Dialog, Solidworks Settings to watch out for
Lesson #5 - Save Item to a new classification or Catalog
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

8. Live session….1. Lesson #1 Create a New BOM of Router
○ Open -W24 Router
○ Settings
■ Sign in
■ Save
○ Click BOM
○ Review
○ Router Base missing Description so add it
○ Save Item, close Router Base
○ Refresh BOM, see Description is there
2. What Happened
○ Structure created - Switch to Multi Level
○ Properties with values were brought to the BOM
○ Classifications/Catalogs automatically set & Properties saved there (Solidworks Items)
○ PC-Board and Ariel are purchased assemblies because config set to “Hide lower”
○ Part Number was set (more later)
■ Basically, if no other setting we user File Name as Part Number
■ Or, Configuration setting if it exists
■ Or, Part Number custom property if it exists
■ Or, Configuration Specific Part Number if it exists
Open 90310-08011.sldprt
Filename is 90310-08011.sldprt
Configuration setting is “Use SW-047191”
Custom property “Part Number = 90310-08011-Z”
Configuration Specific Custom property “Part Number = 90310-08011-ZZ”
→ PART NUMBER IS SET TO 90310-08011-ZZ
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

9. Lesson #3 More About Properties
● All non-Empty Properties will be sent to OpenBOM
● Open the screw and add Finish = Zinc
● Save
● Save Item to Solidworks Items
● Refresh BOM
Lesson #4 OpenBOM Settings
● Tour the OpenBOM dialog
● Solidworks Settings
○ Suppressed and Lightweight parts/assy are excluded from OpenBOM
○ Envelope and Exclude from BOM
○ Configuration Properties (Open PCB Assembly)
○ Make some test assemblies and experiment with this behavior
Lesson #5 Updating a specific Item to specific Catalog with Save Item
● Open the 90310-08011 Screw
● Add a Material property
● Save Item to Fastener Classification/Catalog
● Delete it from Solidworks Items
● Goto the BOM
● See screw is no longer defined
● Assign Fastener Catalog
● All is good
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

10. Do’s and Don’ts
● Do always use unique part numbers. If you have Door.sldasm containing Door.sldprt OpenBOM
will give each PN=”Door”. So use one of the methods described in prior slide to set a unique part
number. Don’t rely on File Name. Consider non-intelligent part numbers.
● Do be mindful of your “Default Catalog” when Creating BOM
● Do read the messages, they say what is going to happen
● Do Use “BOM” and “Save Item” commands
● Don’t use the “Catalog” command. It is being deprecated.
● Don’t create multiple configurations with the same Part Numbers (more in coming webinar on that).
You will get wrong quantity for that PN.
● --> Use Configuration Specific Part Number instead

11. References
Solidworks first 3 minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz8YQy9trtU
More about Multi Level BOMs https://www.openbom.com/blog/how-to-create-multi-level-hierarchical-bom
OpenBOM Webinars https://help.openbom.com/webinars/ (see #21,22)
OpenBOM Basics https://help.openbom.com/get-started/understand-openbom/
OpenBOM Help https://help.openbom.com/ - a great place to start
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

12. Questions / comments ?
Please send to support@openbom.com or use the Support feature in OpenBOM
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)