BOM Structure Reference Component

[kjackson_36]

I have an assembly where one of its sub-assemblies is set to reference in the BOM. This is so it doesn't show up in the assembly drawing BOM and is displayed as 'see-through' phantom line type. However, in other drawings in which it appears, which don't require it to be phantom, it of course shows up as phantom. What is the best (correct) or easiest way to resolve this?

[Mark.Lancaster]

@kjackson_36

"However, in other drawings in which it appears, which don't require it to be phantom, it of course shows up as phantom"

Do you mean it shows up as a PHANTOM BOM structure or as phantom linestyle?

[kjackson_36]

Hi Mark,

Phantom linestyle (and see through).

Kenny

[Mark.Lancaster · Accepted solution]

@kjackson_36

So it sounds like you set the BOM REFERENCE setting at the sub-assembly model itself (Tools/Document Settings), is that correct?

At the sub-assembly model you want to leave it as needed and change it (the Bom structure) at the actual assembly where you want it to be reference..

See the last section in this article: https://synergiscadblog.com/2015/02/06/inventor-bill-of-materials-structures/ and it will walk you through the steps in how to do that at the assembly level.

[kjackson_36]

Hi Mark,

To get the component in question to show up as normal instead of phantom linetype in a higher level assembly drawing, I've had to create a copy of the subassembly and make the component in question (normal) in the BOM structure override and then replace the original subassembly in the higher level assembly. Is this the only or correct way to do this?

Or am I still missing a piece of the puzzle?

K

[Mark.Lancaster]

@kjackson_36

If you open the sub-assembly and go to Tools/Document Settings/BOM tab, what is the BOM Structure set to?

[kjackson_36]

Normal

[Mark.Lancaster]

@kjackson_36

So in one assembly you want it to be a REFERENCE BOM Structure, correct?

And in a separate assembly you want it normal?

Or am I missing something?

[kjackson_36]

Exactly

[Mark.Lancaster]

@kjackson_36

So in the one assembly, locate your sub-assembly in the browser, right mouse click and select BOM Structure and change to REFERENCE.

In the other assembly you leave the BOM Structure as is.

Update:  But for clarification..  These two main assemblies have nothing to do with each other, correct?

[kjackson_36]

So I do need two identical assemblies, just one with the component set to reference and one with the component set to normal? The assemblies appear on different drawings, one where a particular sub-assembly (a casing) is required to be reference so that it doesn't appear in the BOM, and so that I can see the internals. The other drawing is the main assembly where I don't need to see the internals and so the subassembly needs to be normal.

Thanks for your help! I've got to head off, but I'll get to the bottom of it eventually. I think I just need to read some more so I better understand how to use BOM structures.

K

[Anonymous]

I don't think you are quite getting what Mark is trying to explain. Think of it like this: there are two ways of changing a component to 'reference'; you can right-click, as Mark says, in the browser of an assembly in which the component appears, and select Reference under BOM Structure. This will have the effect of showing the component, in drawings of that assembly only, as a phantom line, and not including its mass in the assembly weight. This is the correct work-flow. The other thing that can be done is to change the components properties directly 'at its own level', by going to Document Settings in that component, and changing its BOM structure there. But any changes you make there will apply to that component wherever it is used. I think it is fair to say that 95% of cases, there is no need to tamper with the default BOM structure under Document Settings, probably 'Normal' for an assembly. You only have one 'version' of the component, but in some assemblies in which it appears, a different 'flag' can be set it, making it act as reference geometry in that assembly, think of it that way.

It is also important to understand that in Inventor, 'reference' and 'phantom', when describing BOM status, are two different and separate concepts, unlike other areas of CAD where the terms may appear interchangeable.

[kjackson_36]

Hi,

Thanks for the further clarification.

I got the bit about there being two places in which you can toggle between reference and default, and have my sub-assembly set to reference in the override, not in the BOM structure under Document Settings. However I only seem to be able to do this at the sub-assembly's own level (for drawing purposes, this is the level in which I need it set to reference). In any higher level assembly in which the sub-assembly appears the override option is greyed out, and only the top level can be toggled. This is why I thought I might need a duplicate sub-assembly, as there seems to be no way to reset it to default at a higher level. Having a duplicate sub-assembly just doesn't seem right though, so I'm pretty sure there's something I'm just not getting.

Note: I've started calling 'the component' a sub-assembly' as it's actually a weldment assembly of parts rather than a component. I'm not sure if this makes any difference. 

[kjackson_36]

Mark / Chris,

I found this old thread discussing exactly the issue I have.

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/bom-structure-reference/td-p/2838917

No one managed to offer a solution. It would seem there's no other option but to have duplicate assemblies, in which one is set to reference and the other to default.

K

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Kenneth,

Indeed, you cannot change BOM Structure attribute of a component inside a subassembly.

Many thanks!