Skip to main content
V
VS_128621684-Participant
4-Participant
September 10, 2025
Solved

Different Reference Designators for Same Child Part Reused Under Different Parents

  • September 10, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 520 views

I am working on a Windchill product structure and need help with Reference Designators in a reuse scenario.

Here’s my structure:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Product Structure 1 (Top Level)
    |--Parent 1
         |--Sub Assembly 1
               |--Child 1 with Reference Designator (e.g., R1)
    |--Parent 2
         |--Sub Assembly 1
               |--Child 1 with different Reference Designator (e.g., R2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub Assembly 1 is reused under both Parent 1 and Parent 2.
Child 1 is part of Sub Assembly 1.
Sub Assembly 1, Parent 1 and Parent 2 are Configurable Modules whereas Child 1 is a WT Part.


I want to assign different Reference Designators to Child 1 depending on which parent it is under (R1 for Parent 1 path, R2 for Parent 2 path).


However, when I try to edit the Reference Designator in the Occurrences tab, the value remains the same across both instances of Child 1.

 

Question:
Is it possible to assign different Reference Designators to the same child part reused under different parent paths in Windchill using OOTB solution?

Best answer by avillanueva

You could make the case for a Windchill idea but I do not see this as succeeding since it might violate standards on reference designators. More research here:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reference_designator While mainly used in schematic designs, if its truly the same sub-assembly, I am not sure how the reference designator can be different? Perhaps your team is mis-using the functionality.

1 reply

A
23-Emerald I
avillanueva23-Emerald I
23-Emerald I
September 10, 2025

I do not think this is possible since Occurrences are tied to the usage link which is tied to Sub Assembly 1. Is it possible of restructuring the BOM where child 1 is directly part of the parent?  Asking field, I do not think a gathering part has any impact here right?

V
VS_128621684-ParticipantAuthor
4-Participant
September 11, 2025

That's right. Gathering part has no impact here.

In our case, the ideal solution would be if I am able to assign different values to the Reference Designator field.

Restructuring is also an option which we plan to implement as a workaround if it doesn't work out.

However, it will complicate things for our end users, and we will have to put additional efforts into Product Structure maintenance.

A
23-Emerald I
avillanueva23-Emerald IAnswer
23-Emerald I
September 11, 2025

You could make the case for a Windchill idea but I do not see this as succeeding since it might violate standards on reference designators. More research here:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reference_designator While mainly used in schematic designs, if its truly the same sub-assembly, I am not sure how the reference designator can be different? Perhaps your team is mis-using the functionality.

Terms & ConditionsCookie settingsAccessibility statement