Part & Assembly Numbering - 'Good Practice' advice request...

[Totec_MW]

Another query about numbering to go with the many others already on this forum, a lot of which I have already read...

A good chunk of the work we do is pipe support trestles for long pipe runs around a site such as a steelworks or refinery.

In my ongoing process of learning to use AS whilst trying to remain productive I have taken to producing a separate model for each trestle, which can then be XREF'd into the Plant 3D for the overall site model. Consequently when it comes to numbering I have to consider that I have several separate models on each project, so numbering needs to be controlled and managed/manipulated accordingly.

Lets look at a simple example. I have a small job with 4 separate independent trestles, each with physical differences. I have produced an AS model for each and they (imaginatively!) are called T1, T2, T3 and T4. When I number the models, can I somehow add a label or static value to the MP and SP so that the numbering reflects the overall trestle number? For example I would like beam assemblies on T1 to be B1-1, B1-2, B1-3 and so on, with the parts on each being b1-100, b1-101, b1-102, pl1-100, pl1-101 or whatever. Then for T2 it would be B2-1, pl2-100 and so on. This is how we have been manually producing steel fab drawings in the past.

Is there some way to achieve this type of numbering structure?

Failing that what would be the 'best practice' approach for jobs like this using Advance Steel?

As ever the guidance and advice from seasoned AS users is greatly appreciated.

[Totec_MW]

Another query about numbering to go with the many others already on this forum, a lot of which I have already read...

A good chunk of the work we do is pipe support trestles for long pipe runs around a site such as a steelworks or refinery.

In my ongoing process of learning to use AS whilst trying to remain productive I have taken to producing a separate model for each trestle, which can then be XREF'd into the Plant 3D for the overall site model. Consequently when it comes to numbering I have to consider that I have several separate models on each project, so numbering needs to be controlled and managed/manipulated accordingly.

Lets look at a simple example. I have a small job with 4 separate independent trestles, each with physical differences. I have produced an AS model for each and they (imaginatively!) are called T1, T2, T3 and T4. When I number the models, can I somehow add a label or static value to the MP and SP so that the numbering reflects the overall trestle number? For example I would like beam assemblies on T1 to be B1-1, B1-2, B1-3 and so on, with the parts on each being b1-100, b1-101, b1-102, pl1-100, pl1-101 or whatever. Then for T2 it would be B2-1, pl2-100 and so on. This is how we have been manually producing steel fab drawings in the past.

Is there some way to achieve this type of numbering structure?

Failing that what would be the 'best practice' approach for jobs like this using Advance Steel?

As ever the guidance and advice from seasoned AS users is greatly appreciated.

[Totec_MW · Accepted solution]

Don't worry, I have worked out how to do it!

I have simply added the relevant text in the 'format' box in the numbering dialogue. I hadn't appreciated that I can add other elements in there such as model name, lot/phase and various other options. I can also simply type the constant value I need.

So the string %Prefix3-%MethodNumber now gives me the desired result of B3-100 for example. Happy days!

[Totec_MW · Accepted solution]

Don't worry, I have worked out how to do it!

I have simply added the relevant text in the 'format' box in the numbering dialogue. I hadn't appreciated that I can add other elements in there such as model name, lot/phase and various other options. I can also simply type the constant value I need.

So the string %Prefix3-%MethodNumber now gives me the desired result of B3-100 for example. Happy days!

[AleckGiles · Accepted solution]

Hi,

If you have the same trestle in several places you want AS to know that and call up the right quantity of parts. Also if you have common parts between different trestles. Therefore I would recommend you keep all trestles in the one model correctly located so AS can compare all parts.

Then you could put the Numbering string back to "%Prefix%MethodNumber" and try Post Numbering Method set to "Assembly group" which will do very similar to what you want automatically. It puts the part bit first so you get B1, Fa-B1, Fb-B1, B2, Fa-B2, Fb--B2 etc.

[AleckGiles · Accepted solution]

Hi,

If you have the same trestle in several places you want AS to know that and call up the right quantity of parts. Also if you have common parts between different trestles. Therefore I would recommend you keep all trestles in the one model correctly located so AS can compare all parts.

Then you could put the Numbering string back to "%Prefix%MethodNumber" and try Post Numbering Method set to "Assembly group" which will do very similar to what you want automatically. It puts the part bit first so you get B1, Fa-B1, Fb-B1, B2, Fa-B2, Fb--B2 etc.

[Totec_MW]

Thanks Aleck,

That is exactly the sort of advice I am after. Much appreciated.

[Totec_MW]

Thanks Aleck,

That is exactly the sort of advice I am after. Much appreciated.