Creating a custom parts list in Autodesk Inventor involves generating a Bill of Materials (BOM) on your drawing sheet and then extensively configuring its columns, rows, and data presentation to meet your specific documentation needs. This allows you to display precise information about your assembly components in a clear, organized format.
Understanding Inventor Parts Lists (Bill of Materials)
In Inventor, a "parts list" is essentially a Bill of Materials (BOM) table placed on a drawing sheet, linked to an assembly view. It automatically populates with data from the assembly's components, including quantities, part numbers, and descriptions. Customization allows you to control exactly what information is displayed and how it's presented.
Step-by-Step: Creating a Basic Parts List
Before customizing, you need to place a standard parts list on your drawing:
- Open Your Drawing: Ensure you have an Inventor drawing (
.idwor.dwg) open with a placed assembly view. - Activate the Parts List Command: Navigate to the Annotate tab on the Inventor ribbon. In the Table panel, click on Parts List.
- Select the View: Click on the assembly view on your drawing that you want the parts list to reference.
- Place the Table: A preview of the parts list will appear. Click on the drawing sheet to place the table.
Customizing Your Parts List: Making it "Custom"
Once the parts list is placed, you can begin customizing it extensively. This is where you transform a standard list into one that perfectly suits your requirements.
1. Accessing the Parts List Editor
To customize, double-click on the parts list table on your drawing, or right-click on it and select Edit Parts List. This will open the Parts List Editor dialog box, which provides various tabs and options for configuration.
2. Column Customization
The Columns tab in the Parts List Editor is where you define which data fields (columns) are displayed and their order.
- Adding/Removing Columns:
- The left pane lists all available properties (e.g., Part Number, Description, Material, Mass, Custom iProperties).
- The right pane shows columns currently included in your parts list.
- Select properties from the left pane and click Add to include them.
- Select columns from the right pane and click Remove to exclude them.
- Reordering Columns: Use the Move Up and Move Down arrows on the right pane to arrange the sequence of your columns.
- Adjusting Column Properties:
- Select a column in the right pane and click the Format Column button (pencil icon) or double-click the column name.
- This opens the Format Column dialog where you can:
- Change the Column Title (the header text).
- Set Justification (left, center, right).
- Adjust Width (fixed or automatic).
- Control Units and Precision for numerical values.
- Toggle Visibility for specific situations.
Table: Common Column Properties in Parts List Editor
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Property Chooser | Select standard or custom iProperties for display. |
| Column Title | Customize the header text shown on the drawing. |
| Justification | Align text within the column (Left, Center, Right). |
| Width | Define the column width or allow Inventor to auto-fit. |
| Units | Specify display units (e.g., mm, in, kg, lb). |
| Precision | Set the number of decimal places for numerical values. |
3. Row Customization
The Grouping, Filter, and Sort tabs allow you to control how rows are displayed and organized.
- Grouping Items:
- On the Grouping tab, select a property (e.g., "Material") to group items that share the same value.
- You can choose to include or exclude the group header row and subtotal rows.
- Filtering Items:
- On the Filter tab, you can set rules to include or exclude specific rows based on property values.
- For example, you might filter out "Fasteners" or "Standard Parts" if you only want to list custom-manufactured components.
- Sorting Items:
- On the Sort tab, define up to three levels of sorting criteria.
- Choose a property (e.g., "Item," "Part Number") and select Ascending or Descending order.
4. Overriding Item Properties and Saving Overrides
Sometimes, you need to manually adjust specific values in your parts list, such as a quantity or a description, independent of the assembly's BOM. These are called overrides.
- Performing Overrides:
- In the Parts List Editor, locate the cell you want to modify.
- Click the cell once to select it, then click again to activate editing mode.
- Type in your desired custom value. The cell will often turn blue, indicating an override.
- Preserving Custom Overrides: A critical aspect of customizing your parts list, especially when you manually adjust item properties or quantities, is ensuring these changes are saved. The provided reference highlights this, stating that "by right clicking and selecting save items overrides through bill of materials. You can update the bill materials as well." This action is essential for retaining any specific, manual alterations you've made directly within the parts list editor, making your custom parts list permanent and reliable for the current BOM.
Saving and Reusing Custom Parts List Styles
Once you've configured your parts list to your liking, you can save its style for future use, promoting consistency across your drawings.
- In the Parts List Editor, go to the Style drop-down menu at the top.
- Select Save Style As...
- Give your custom style a descriptive name (e.g., "Company Standard BOM," "Fabrication Parts List").
- This style will now be available in the Parts List Style drop-down when you create new parts lists, allowing you to apply your customizations instantly.
Advanced Tips for Robust Parts Lists
- Utilizing iProperties Effectively: The foundation of a good parts list is well-maintained iProperties (Part Number, Description, Material, Stock Number, etc.) in your part and assembly files. Ensure these are accurately filled out, as they are the primary source of data for your parts list.
- Understanding BOM Structure: When generating a parts list from an assembly, consider the BOM Structure in the assembly's Bill of Materials dialog:
- Structured: Shows sub-assemblies and their components in a hierarchical view.
- Parts Only: Flattens the BOM to show only individual parts, regardless of their sub-assembly nesting. Choose the structure that best suits your documentation needs.
- Working with Balloons: Connect your custom parts list to balloons on your drawing views to visually identify components and their corresponding item numbers in the list. This is done via the Balloons command in the Annotate tab.
By following these steps, you can create, customize, and save professional-grade parts lists in Inventor that streamline your design documentation process.
