Carey,
Assembly level component parameters have been around for a long time (15+ years), and have been used for exactly what you're showing in your attachment. I actaully wrote up a requirements documentback in 2008for a toolkit program that would automate the process of assigning an assembly level component parameter "Find Number" to each component in an assembly. The "Find Number" parameter would then be used to populate the tables and balloons, and hopefully be usedto feedour PDM system. Unfortunately, we had other priorities for our $, so the program was never purchased.
Creo Parametric can now designate "component" parameters for Windchill to read/write, so it's now feasible to integrate your index/find numbers with Windchill byeither pushing the index from the model or pulling it from Windchill. I believe this is being investigated by PTC.
One other advantage to using the component parameter for the index number is the ability to assign different models the same index number. This is very handy for components that need a separate model created but have the same part number and index number. It's great for things like potting material filling different volumes in the same assembly, flexible items like lanyards, etc., and stock materials like bar/sheet stock used in weldments.
Regards,
Daniel Nordin
BAE Systems, Intelligence & Security
Engineering Tools MCAE Support Group
Nashua, NH 03061
