CAD is one of the main sources of data when it comes to Bill of Materials. This is a starting point where the design starts and it is a foundation of product data. However, an attempt to put all information in a CAD system can lead to confusion and problems.

1. Glue, Tape, Velcro, etc
CAD Parts or BOM Items?
Steve Hess
Director of User Experience, OpenBOM
stevehess@openbom.com
Wednesday October 23, 2019
© OpenBOM, 2018 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

2. This webinar is NOT a deep dive into ERP or BOM
theory. I will suggest a path forward at the end as an
option for you to further investigate.
This is a “Marketing Free” event!
This webinar is 30 minute or less thoughtful discussion about
all those little extras that are needed to build your product but
don’t really have a home in CAD or the BOM. Glue, tape,
paint, velcro, etc…..
© OpenBOM, 2018 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

3. Definitions: (typical)
A Part Number is an unambiguous identifier of a particular part design. Its purpose is to
simplify reference to that part.
A Part is generally defined as a thing in CAD.
A Non-Modeled Part is something that appears on a BOM but does not (generally) have a
CAD model. Sometimes called an Item.
An Item, is generally meant to be a line in your BOM. A Part or Assembly can be an Item.
So can labor, glue, grease, tape, assembly instructions, ship-away-kits, etc
A bill of materials is a list of the raw materials, sub-assemblies, intermediate assemblies,
sub-components, parts, and the quantities of each needed to manufacture an end product.
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In our example we want to include the thread lock (Loctite ®) which anchors the motor
bolts to the frame. How and where do we manage that information?
What are our options:
1) Export as excel BOM and add Loctite.
2) Add a part as Loctite to our CAD assembly. Then export to Excel and change the
quantity to get the item in the BOM list.
3) Add n number of Loctite parts to our assembly get proper units. Not a bad option
but leaves some weird parts in our assembly.
4) Use some method to create persistent entries in the BOM. Most CAD has some
version of this. But again, what about multiple unrelated assemblies?
5) Use a BOM/Item Master approach to add non-CAD items to your BOM. A bit
more work but promotes reuse. Easier once you have it all set up.
6) Master your BOM in an expensive sophisticated ERP/PLM system. - Not
considered here, were looking for simple solutions.

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Option #1 - CAD Export
then Edit Excel
Pro: Fast and easy
Con: will need to do it
every time you (re)
create the BOM and
Excel is overwritten.
Must also do for
EVERY BOM where
Loctite is used.
→ If you are using this
method, I'll show you a
way to improve it with
option 2 & 3

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Option #2

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Option #2 - One CAD
Part named Loctite
Pro: Will get the Loctite
in the Excel
Part number and other
data will come from
CAD so likely to have
less errors retyping.
Con: Need to add to
CAD.
Need to keep quantity
up to date in Excel.
Adds “mystery” part to
CAD.

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Option #3

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Option #3 - All Parts in
CAD
Pro: Do-able. Will give
the proper quantity
without follow up edit to
Excel
Doesn’t get washed
away when I regenerate
the BOM
Con: Lots of copy/paste
or multiple insert.
Really doesn’t scale to
large quantities.
Adds lots of “mystery”
parts to CAD.
→ May be good enough.

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Option #4 - some method to persist
changes to the BOM.
Pro: Most CAD does this and will
survive a change or rebuild/export
of the BOM
Con: May have to make a drawing
Need an advanced CAD license
Cannot be shared with other team
members
All-in-all this is a better than
options #1,2 & 3, but still does not
encourage reuse.
A simple change to the item may
require an ECO and/or Rev
change (see webinar #7) for more
details.

13. Option #5 - an application designed to master BOMs
and Parts
Part
Number
Quantity Description Cost Extended
Cost
PN10 4 Part1 $10 $40
PN20 5 Part2 $20 $100
Part Number Description Cost Quantity On
Hand
PN10 Part1 $10 10
PN20 Part2 $20 20
PN30 Part3 $30 30
L15 Labor $15 ---
Part
Number
Quantity Description Cost Extended
Cost
PN10 4 Part1 $10 $40
PN30 5 Part3 $30 $150
L15 .25 Labor $15 $3.75
BOM2
BOM1
Item Master/Catalog/Inventory
The Catalog provides reliability and reuse as well
as a single vault of truth for Cost and other
properties. A change here shows in both BOMs.
© OpenBOM, 2018 (Newman Cloud Inc.)
Seperate from CAD but with a rich CAD connector.
A number of options available in the market today.

14. © OpenBOM, 2019 (Newman Cloud Inc.)
Option #5 - BOM/Item Master
approach.
Pro: Full control over items
properties and data
Item can be used in many BOMs
without retyping any info
No need to add items/data to CAD
Single source of truth!
Several app options available.
Con: Some set up required
May require more thoughtful use of
part numbers
May have some cost although this
example done with Free app

15. Live demo...
Open Elmers Engine Assembly
Open the Catalog Tab
Add Loctite to the Catalog
Switch to the BOM
Add Loctite to the BOM with quantity = 5ml
Go to assembly and copy/paste crank
Update BOM
See now two cranks and Loctite persisted
Return to Catalog change from 242 to 272
Return to BOM - see change
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Closing thoughts about non-modeled items
● If you are using Excel exports consider option #3. Some CAD systems allow you to
override the “Quantity” property so simply insert one dummy part for Loctite and change
Quantity to 5.
● While Option #4 seems attractive be careful. If you are putting the BOM on the drawing
(better watch Webinar #7 - BOMs on drawings) you will find yourself re-typing a lot of data/
mistakes may happen. Consider something from Option #5 then put the finished BOM back
on the drawing. OpenBOM and others can write to many CAD drawing formats.
● Option #5 is the preferred method. There is the added bonus that you can add Cost and
Vendor other properties (hopefully) not contained in the CAD data. This option defines a
single master definition for Loctite (or anything else) which is reused in other BOMs. This
option also allows you to supplement the CAD items with Cost, Vendor, and much more.
Slide #13 is a good place to start. See references for more info.
● Option #6 is very expensive

17. References
Webinar - Blending Design and Business Data:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnqvulIPxMQ&list=PL6nXtFuNki7nSNXmw_fWGTFeKo8Y3EPJ3&index=4
Webinar - BOMs on Drawings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fug00WawL78&list=PL6nXtFuNki7nSNXmw_fWGTFeKo8Y3EPJ3&index=7
Forum discussion of BOMs and item numbers on drawings: https://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=352768
OpenBOM Youtube Webinar Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6nXtFuNki7nSNXmw_fWGTFeKo8Y3EPJ3
Bulk items in BOMs: https://forum.solidworks.com/thread/217135
© OpenBOM, 2019 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

18. Questions?
Please type into the webinar panel or send to support@openbom.com
More information at www.openbom.com
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Backup slides

20. Glue, Tape, Velcro, etc
CAD Parts or BOM Items?
Steve Hess
Director of User Experience, OpenBOM
stevehess@openbom.com
Wednesday October 23, 2019
© OpenBOM, 2018 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

21. © OpenBOM, 2019 (Newman Cloud Inc.)
This webinar can be viewed here:
https://youtu.be/1uaeaJN_fn0