You decide here whether you want to incorporate existing related sub-BOMs (single-level BOMs) into the (main) BOM. This allows you to create an overall BOM, or to group together assemblies (e.g. welded parts that comprise several parts). If you have activated the "Expand sub-BOMs" option, the BOM data of the individual parts will be included in the BOM. If you have not activated this option, the assembly data is included.

The "BOM name" attribute field of an item number must contain the name of the sub-BOM file (no extension required). The "BOM path" attribute field should contain the directory in which this file is located if the file is not located in the current directory.

If you select the "Stop if file is missing" checkbox, a warning will be issued if the entries made in the "BOM name" and "BOM path" fields are incorrect.

The drawing Shaft1 comprises a shaft, springs, washers, a safety valve, and ball bearings. Describe all parts using item numbers. The item numbers are 1 through 6. You create an itemized BOM (file name "SHAFT1.TXT") for the drawing called Shaft1.

• Shaft1 is a component of the main drawing "Drive". You do not have to enter all the parts of Shaft1 in the main drawing again. Instead, you assign one info point or one item number for the parts in the drawing Shaft1.

• In the "BOM name" field, enter "Shaft1" (i.e. the name of the *.TXT BOM file – this can be different from the name of the drawing). In the "BOM path" field, enter the file path (only if "SHAFT1.TXT" was not stored in the current directory).
  In our example, the file was saved to the directory "K:\Proj". In our example, the item number for Shaft1 is 1. You can now generate the BOM.

• You would follow the same procedure for other components that already have "sub-BOMs".

• In order to create the main BOM, you must select the "Expand sub-BOM" option in the BOM dialog box. The item numbers in the main drawing are evaluated, and, instead of item number 1, item numbers 1 through 6 (for Shaft1) are inserted.
• The remaining item numbers in the main drawing are listed after this.