To change the BOM structure in Autodesk Inventor, you need to double-click the BOM Structure row directly within the Bill of Materials. This action allows you to modify how individual components are represented and behave in your assembly's Bill of Materials.
The BOM Structure property in Autodesk Inventor is a critical setting that defines the status and inclusion of a component within the Bill of Materials. It dictates whether a part or subassembly appears in the final BOM, how its quantity is calculated, and its overall visibility in different BOM views.
Default BOM Structure Settings
Before adjusting individual components, it's helpful to understand that Autodesk Inventor allows you to define default BOM structure values. These defaults are typically configured on the Bill of Materials tab within Document Settings. Setting appropriate default values can streamline your design process, ensuring new components are automatically assigned the most common or desired BOM structure for your projects.
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing BOM Structure
To modify the BOM structure for specific components in your assembly:
- Open Your Assembly: Launch Autodesk Inventor and open the assembly file containing the components you wish to modify.
- Access the Bill of Materials:
- Navigate to the Assemble or Manage tab in the Inventor ribbon.
- In the Bill of Materials panel, click on the Bill of Materials icon. This will open the Bill of Materials dialog box.
- Locate the Component: Within the Bill of Materials dialog, find the specific part or subassembly whose BOM structure you need to change.
- Edit the BOM Structure:
- Look for the BOM Structure column in the table.
- Double-click on the cell in the BOM Structure row corresponding to your chosen component.
- A drop-down list will appear, presenting various BOM structure options.
- Select New Structure: Choose the desired BOM structure from the list (e.g., Normal, Phantom, Reference).
- Apply Changes: Click Done or OK in the Bill of Materials dialog box to save your modifications and close the window.
Understanding Different BOM Structure Types
Understanding the various BOM structure types is crucial for accurate Bill of Materials generation and effective component management. Each type serves a specific purpose in your design and manufacturing workflow:
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Normal:
- Description: This is the most common BOM structure. Components with this setting are listed individually in the BOM with their specific quantities.
- Use Case: Ideal for standard parts, hardware, and finished subassemblies that are distinct items in the final product.
- BOM Inclusion: Yes, listed as a separate item.
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Phantom:
- Description: A phantom assembly itself does not appear as an item in the BOM. Instead, its children components are "promoted" and listed directly under the parent assembly in the BOM.
- Use Case: Useful for grouping components during the design phase for organization, without them being a distinct purchasable or manufacturable item in the final BOM. For example, a "fastener kit" subassembly might be phantom, and its individual screws and nuts are listed under the main assembly.
- BOM Inclusion: No (parent assembly), Yes (children components).
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Reference:
- Description: Components marked as "Reference" are displayed in the model for contextual purposes but are entirely excluded from the BOM. They do not contribute to quantity counts.
- Use Case: Typically used for tooling, fixtures, design aids, or existing equipment that is part of the assembly context but not part of the product being manufactured.
- BOM Inclusion: No.
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Inseparable:
- Description: While less commonly manually set by users for individual components, "Inseparable" is often used for weldments or components that are permanently joined and treated as a single item in the BOM. Its sub-components might not be broken down.
- Use Case: Weldment assemblies where individual members are designed but the final welded structure is considered one unit.
- BOM Inclusion: Yes, as a single unit.
By effectively utilizing and adjusting the BOM structure in Autodesk Inventor, you can ensure your Bill of Materials accurately reflects your product's design, manufacturing, and procurement needs.
