Want to copy a WTPart structure and only inlcude specific WTParts in the new structure

[MichaelSchumach]

We want to create an overloaded master BOM for our top-level machines and then have the user make a copy of the master BOM and only include the specific WTParts needed to create the new machine structure.

Overloaded BOM WTPart example for windchill

lvl0 5-BAR820-MASTER-BOM

lvl1 5-G13071 (group of different steel frames to select from)

lvl2  5-27926

lvl2  5-26113

lvl2  5-21341

lvl2  5-10893

lvl1 5-G13076 (group of different control panels to select)

lvl2  5-27808

lvl2  5-27807

In the example above, I want my user to copy the 5-BAR820-MASTER-BOM and give it a new name (for example, 5-BAR820-SN1000) and then either include or exclude the LVL1 and LVL2 WTParts as needed to create the new machine.   I rename the top-level to 5-BAR820-SN1000 and then  select the existing WTParts to include and I have a new WTPart structure as shown below.

lvl0 5-BAR820-SN1000

lvl1 5-G13071 (group of different steel frames to select from)

lvl2  5-26113

lvl1 5-G13076 (group of different control panels to select)

lvl2  5-27807

I have tried the 'save as' but when I show the dependents in the 'save as' window, I am asked for new names for each WTPart in the structure.   The only name that is changing is the top-level WTPart. 

Anyone with recommendations how this can be done?   Best practices?  The steps that I should be taking to make this work?

Thanks for any insights.

Mike Schumacher

[GregOlson]

Use OOTB Options and Variant module to create your variant BOMs.  Once setup (takes some work) you'll have a robust  system for creating variants of a machine....as a PLUS the user that is creating the variant will only have to answer some simple questions to get a complicated BOM. 

[JeffZemsky]

Mike - there are two possibilities

1 - Re-identify the intermediate assemblies as the definition is varying.  You can not reuse the same part number but say it is different in this case.  eg lvl1 5-G13071 & lvl1 5-G13076 become lvl1 5-G13071_sn1000 & lvl1 5-G13076_sn1000

2 - Use a configurable methodology (options and variants).  In this case the top and intermediate nodes would be configurable and you would be creating lvl0 5-BAR820-SN1000 as a variant based upon selecting the appropriate selected modules under lvl1 5-G13071 & lvl1 5-G13076 .  You can find more information on this here:  https://support.ptc.com/cs/help/windchill_hc/wc110_hc/index.jspx?id=OptionsManagProdConfigOview&action=show‌.  The powersystem demo dataset is an example you could kick the tires on.