We have set up the majority of our componets with the misc items (screws, washers, ect..) set up as multiple catalog parts in the footprint drawing (MFG01, CAT01, MFG02, CAT02, ect...). We have encounted two issues when using this method.
Issue 1: When we have a schamatic and panel layout already complete and then we go back and and update a CATALOG number on the schematic symbol, the footprint view will properly update to the new view but the multiple catalog parts (MFG01, CAT01, MFG02, CAT02, ect...) do not update to what was built into the new footprint, they stay at the old values from the old footprint. If we delete the footprint and re-insert using the schematic list it updates properly but we don't want to have to go through the extra steps of deleting and re-inserting and worse yet if someone forgets to do this the BOM is wrong and then eveyone wants to know why we spent all the money on this program when the BOM is not correct. Can we have the program bring over everything from the new footprint and not just the physcal view?
Issue 2: When inserting a footprint from the schematic list, the multiple catalog check box always defaults to not selected. If if someone forgets to change the selection from unchecked to checked then the BOM is wrong and then eveyone wants to know why we spent all the money on this program when the BOM is not correct. Can we somehow set the default value for this selection in the EVN file or by some other method?
We have also run into a few issues with the from/to wiring charts.
Issue 3: On the from/to charts, the the "reverse order" check box always defaults to not selected. If if someone forgets to change the selection from unchecked to checked then the from/to wiring charts may be wrong (missing wires that were drawn in the reverse order) and then eveyone wants to know why we spent all the money on this program when the automated wiring charts are not correct. Can we somehow set the default value for this selection in the EVN file or by some other method?
Issue 4: We will perform the wire sequence command on the schematics to get the routing the way that we want it, but then in the from/to charts the correct sequence is not always reflected and we have to manually move the wires up or down using the from/to chart edit mode. Can this be investigated?
The last item is most likely a lack of understanding on my part
Issue 5: When I do a catalog lookup most of the time it does not show all of the parts that are in that particular table. What is determining what is shown versus what is not shown when you first do a catalog lookup?
Issue 1: You are correct about the footprints that carry MFG01, CAT01, etc. attributes. The values are recorded in the database from the original footprint. When the automation replaces the footprint, based upon a part number change in the schematic, it will replace the MFG01, CAT01, etc. attribute values with those previously recorded in the database. If you enter these subassembly parts into the Multiple Catalog list of the related schematic symbols and later update the schematic main and multiple catalog part numbers, the new multiple catalog part numbers will transfer to the new footprint. An automated way to get this data into the Multiple Catalog list is to add attributes MFG01, CAT01, MFG02, CAT02 etc....MFG99, CAT99 to the schematic symbol. Just add as many as you think you will need for the type of component the symbol represents. Next edit the catalog database record for the main part and in the TEXTVALUE field for that record enter MFG01=<manufacturer name 1>;CAT01=<part no. 1>;MFG02=<manufacturer name 2>;CAT02=<part no. 2>; etc. When you assign the main part number and click OK to exit the Insert/Edit dialog, the Multiple Catalog attributes will fill in. You can edit the component again and you will see multiple catalog entries. Hint: If there are no attributes preloaded in the block you must click Multiple Catalog and individually Lookup the multiple catalog parts. The will be pushed into the symbol as xdata after you click OK. But by preloading the MFG01, CAT01 etc. attributes, the Lookup of the main part can trigger code to fill in the MFG01, etc. attributes, thereby creating your Multiple Catalog list.
Issue 2: The multiple catalog checkbox is not usually a problem. That is just for you to see what components might have a multiple catalog entry coming over from the schematic. Multiple Catalog parts would be parts that don't have to be inserted as a separate footprint. The whole point in multiple catalog entries is that they are subassembly parts that must be included when purchasing the master or main part. They will show up in the BOM whether you check that box or not.
Issue 3: There is no setting in the wd.env environment file for this.
Issue 4: I've not seen an issue with this. I know that if you set a wire sequence using the Edit Wire Sequence command, it will over-rule any angled wire tees you might have inserted into the node to replace dots.
Issue 5: The initial filtering for a catalog lookup is set in the _LISTBOX_DEF table of the default_cat.mdb. You can edit this table with MS Access and type in your favorite manufacturer for each family of components. You can fill in the TYPE and COIL/VOLTAGE/STYLE fields if you want to narrow down even more within that manufacturer. Note: Be sure that any entries you make in the TYPE and COIL/VOLTAGE/STYLE actually match entries in the database.