• 3 months ago
Understanding parts lists is essential for organizing and managing the components required for a project. In the context of engineering, construction, and manufacturing, a parts list (also known as a Bill of Materials or BOM) is a comprehensive list of raw materials, components, and assemblies needed to construct, manufacture, or repair a product or project.

### Components of a Parts List

1. **Item Number**:
- Unique identifier for each part.
- Helps in tracking and referencing parts easily.

2. **Part Name/Description**:
- Detailed description of the part.
- Includes specifications such as dimensions, material, and any other relevant characteristics.

3. **Quantity**:
- Number of each part required.
- Essential for ordering and inventory management.

4. **Part Number/Code**:
- Manufacturer's or supplier's unique code for the part.
- Useful for ordering and ensuring the correct part is used.

5. **Supplier Information**:
- Details of the supplier or manufacturer.
- Includes contact information and possibly pricing.

6. **Unit of Measure**:
- How the part is measured (e.g., pieces, meters, kilograms).
- Important for ordering the correct amount.

7. **Cost**:
- Unit cost of each part.
- Used for budgeting and cost management.

8. **Notes/Comments**:
- Any additional information relevant to the part.
- Could include assembly instructions, special handling requirements, or substitution options.

### Creating a Parts List in AutoCAD

AutoCAD offers features to create and manage parts lists, particularly useful in CAD drawings for engineering projects.

#### Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Parts List in AutoCAD

1. **Draft the Drawing**:
- Complete the drawing with all the necessary components and parts.
- Use commands like `LINE`, `CIRCLE`, `POLYLINE` to draw the components.

2. **Insert Blocks for Components**:
- Use the `BLOCK` command to create reusable components.
- Each block should represent a different part.

3. **Annotate the Drawing**:
- Use the `TEXT` or `MTEXT` commands to label parts.
- Include details such as part names, numbers, and descriptions.

4. **Create an Attribute Block**:
- Use the `ATTDEF` command to define attributes for blocks.
- Attributes can include part number, description, quantity, and any other relevant information.

Example:
```
ATTDEF
Enter the Tag: PART_NO
Enter the Prompt: Enter Part Number:
Enter the Default: 1234
Specify insertion point: (click or type coordinates)
```

5. **Insert Attribute Blocks**:
- Insert the blocks with attributes into the drawing.
- Use the `INSERT` command and fill in the attribute values as prompted.

6. **Extract Attributes to Create the Parts List**:
- Use the `DATAEXTRACTION` command to extract block attributes to a table.
- Follow the Data Extraction wizard to select the blocks and attributes you want to include in your parts list.

Example:
```
DATAEXTRACTION
S
Transcript
00:00Now that we've created a parts list in the drawing, let's add some part families to it.
00:05I'll begin on the Settings tab of the Tool Space, where I can see the parts list laid out for me under Pressure Network and then Parts Lists.
00:13You should see one here called Water Residential.
00:16And to add part families to it, I'll need to modify that parts list.
00:21So I'll right-click on it and pick Edit.
00:24From here I see the different tabs. I've got the Information tab,
00:28the Pressure Pipe, Fittings and Appurtenances tabs, and then finally the Summary tab.
00:34I'm just going to work left to right on each type of object.
00:38So under Pressure Pipes, we see the single line called Water Residential.
00:42We don't see any parts at all under the Pressure Pipes tab.
00:46What we have to do first is add a material.
00:49So I'll right-click, and interestingly for Pressure Pipes, it's not referred to as a family, it's referred to as a material.
00:56So I'll right-click that and pick Add Material.
00:59Check the box that I'd like to add.
01:02Now in this case it's easy because there's only one to choose from, PVC.
01:06I'll click OK. When I expand that, I see the line item for PVC, but still no parts yet.
01:12We're actually going to add parts to this in the upcoming video.
01:16Let's look at the Fittings tab.
01:18Things are going to get a little bit more complicated as we work our way down the line here.
01:23Again, we have a single line with nothing beneath it.
01:26I'll right-click and pick this time Add Type.
01:30Notice it says Type this time and not Material.
01:33Here I've got quite a few more choices to pick from,
01:36and I want to choose the ones that I want to use in the systems that I'm about to build.
01:41Notice there are PVC and ductile iron fittings available for this particular network.
01:47So I probably want to use the PVC Elbows and Tees.
01:52But when it comes to caps, plugs, reducers, if I need to use any of those, I'll probably need to add those as well.
01:59So I can check one of these or both of them.
02:02I can add multiple families at a time if I like.
02:05But one thing that's nice to do is just to select the object.
02:09If you're not sure what it is, you can see the image of the part family over here on the right.
02:14So if you're not quite sure what a cross is, for example, you can click on it and take a look at the image.
02:20So I'm going to choose Elbows and Tees under PVC for now and go ahead and click OK.
02:26Now if I expand Water at Residential, we see that we have two part families, Elbow, PVC Elbow, and PVC Tee.
02:35And now for Appurtenances, same thing.
02:37I'll right-click and pick Add Type.
02:40Notice we've got quite a long list of valves, and then we've got a hydrant as well.
02:47So in this case, you've got to know your valves pretty well because we've got different types of valves, butterfly and gate valves.
02:54And then we've got different variations beyond that as well.
02:59So for our examples here, I'm going to choose this first gate valve.
03:05And then I'd also like to include a hydrant.
03:08So I'll select the first gate valve and then the hydrant.
03:12Click OK.
03:15And now again, I've got two part families beneath the name of the parts list.
03:20I still haven't added any parts yet.
03:22I've just added the families.
03:25OK, so now you know how to add part families to your parts lists.
03:29As we move along in the next video, you'll learn how to add parts now to these part families.

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