Showing Assembly as single part in structured BoM

[Timothy.kane]

I am trying to set up a sub-assembly so that when it is included in a higher level assembly, only the sub-assembly comes through on to a structured BoM (as if it were a single part) and not all the individual components within that sub-assembly. However I also want to be able to create a separate drawing for that sub-assembly which references all the individual parts in a parts list on the drawing. As an example I have an e-chain. It is made up of several links and internal separators. I will create a separate drawing of the e-chain with all the details of the links and separator, but I want the e-chain to show up as a single part on the top level structed BoM (all levels) and not all the individual parts. I have tried using several different combinations of BoM structures (phantom, reference, inseparable etc.) but I can't get it to work the way I want. If I set each part in the sub-assembly to phantom then it doesn't show on the top level BoM but it also doesn't show up on the parts list for the sub-assembly. If I set the sub-assembly to purchased or inseparable then all the individual parts still come through on the top level structured BoM. Is it possible to achieve what I want? I am using inventor 2021.

Thanks in advance.

[b_ruijter]

Not intirely sure what you want to achieve. But on a long shot, maybe you can somewhat achieve what you want by placing a Text Leader that you can link do modelproperties of the part you are ataching to. In the screenshot the J004252 is a sheet metal part in a sub in a sub. 

[NigelHay]

I do this regularly & it should work with the chain assembly & it's parts all set to 'Normal' in the BoM. That should show all of the chain parts in your chain assembly drawing but only the chain assembly as 1 part in any higher level BoMs.

[raith-mb]

You have to set the e-chain assembly to unseparable.

You can achieve this by opening the e-chain assembly. Set the BOM-structure to inseparable.

All parts of the e-chain assembly have to be set to normal. Then you still can create a drawing of the e-chain with its partslist

[nedeljko.sovljanski]

Hi,

It is possible to be done by right click in "Structured" tab in BOM and choose view properties. Then you can choose between first level or all levels.

[Timothy.kane]

@NigelHay thanks for the comments. I have tried this but it unfortunately still doesn't do what I am wanting to do.

[Timothy.kane]

@raith-mb, thanks for you comments. This is what I thought was the right approach but it doesn't seem to work. Setting the assembly to inseparable shows it as a single part in the parts only BoM, but in the structured BoM it still shows all the individual parts.

[Timothy.kane]

@nedeljko.sovljanski thanks for your comments but this doesn't achieve what I am trying to do. Choosing first level or all levels affects all sub-assemblies in the top level assembly rather than specific ones. I am trying to get this to work for specific sub-assemblies with in the top level rather than a global change.

[nedeljko.sovljanski]

Hi,

Do you want to show some sub assembly like first level and others like all levels?

Can you make picture how do you want BOM look like?

Best regards,

[A.Acheson]

@Timothy.kane 

This is an old chestnut 🌰 Trying to simplify the BOM either for Inventory use or to not have to work with sub assemblies multiple parts in the assembly  making the main assembly more light weight in file size. 

Changing a sub assembly BOM on the fly per assembly doesn’t work unfortunately. You will need to derive sub assembly to a part file to create single part number. You can still locate the original file after this to do your drawing by using the open command to get back to source file.

Perhaps a drawing reference iproperty would do also for a visual linkage. 

But I don’t think it’s possible to display the information like your suggesting. 

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Tim,

The only workaround I am aware is to create a custom Balloon. Balloons do honor BOM structure. So, you can annotate the sub as a whole.

Many thanks!

[nick_panzarino]

Please vote on the idea below for a solution to this issue. 

new BOM type: Purchased Assembly to show up as single line in Structured BOMs - Autodesk Community

[mferreiraZXXKX]

Hi Timothy, create your BOM even if it shows all the parts. R-click on the BOM table/select Edit Parts List/R-click in the far left side block as per image/select "Visible". Here you can switch the parts visibility on/off. See image 2. All parts will show only the greyed out ones will be invisible on the main assembly sheet BOM.