Summing Values in Inventor BOMs

Have you ever wanted to sum a property (such as length) in an Inventor Parts List, but simply been left with the quantities of individual units? This handy guide will show you how to do it!

In this example, we will explore how to sum the length of a cornice in a picture frame assembly. The cornice is made up of four segments, pairs of different lengths. They are iParts, and all share the same part number in this case.

Inventor Sum of Lengths

Step 1: Define a Custom Property within your Inventor Parts

Start by defining the property you would like to aggregate in the parts list. In this case, we need to know the sum total of the lengths of the cornice members. In the cornice parts, we have a parameter ‘LENGTH’ which is used to define its length. Important: ensure that the ‘Export Parameter’ tickbox is checked.

Selecting Parameters to Export

Step 2: Configure the BOM to list the Custom Property

In the assembly BOM, add the custom parameter you wish to aggregate later in the parts list.

Assembly BOM Custom Parameters
Assembly BOM Custom Parameters

Next, edit Part Number Row Merge Settings. To the exception list, add the part number of the parts whose value you wish to aggregate (in this case, ‘Cornice iPart’).

Editing Row Merge Settings
Editing Row Merge Settings

Step 3: Configure the Parts List to Sum the Custom Property

In the drawing, create a parts list, and add the custom iProperty you wish to aggregate (in this case ‘LENGTH’).

Aggregate Custom Property

Next, in ‘Group Settings’, set the Parts List to group by ‘Parts Number’. Be sure to untick ‘Display Group Participants’. This will place all the cornice lengths together in one row.

Group Settings Screen

Lastly, right-click the custom parameter column, and select ‘Format Column’. Under the ‘Substitution’ tab, select ‘Enable Value Substitution’, input your custom parameter (in this case, ‘LENGTH’), and for the value used, select ‘Sum of Values’.

Custom Parameter Formatting
Custom Parameter Formatting
Summing Values in Inventor BOMs

A tremendous success! Now your parts list sums the value of your custom parameter. If you’re interested in learning more tips and tricks, or would like to hone your Inventor skills, don’t hesitate to contact Man and Machine. Our professional trainers will have you a master of all things Inventor in no time.

For more information on this blog post or if you have any other questions/requirements, please complete the below form:

Related Links

Autodesk Inventor – Autodesk Platinum Partner | Man and Machine

Autodesk Inventor Training Courses | Man and Machine

Previous

How to Use a Field to Create an Automated Scale Annotation on a Viewport in AutoCAD

Error 1603 During your Autodesk Installation

Next

Click here to view all of our blog posts