Bill of Materials (BOM) generation in Solidworks - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Creating a Bill of Materials (BOM) helps you list all parts and components in your assembly. It solves the problem of tracking every item needed to build your product clearly and efficiently.

When you want to see all parts used in an assembly in one organized list.

When you need to share a detailed parts list with manufacturing or purchasing teams.

When you want to check quantities of each component in your design.

When you want to add custom columns like part numbers or descriptions to your parts list.

When you want to export the parts list to Excel or PDF for documentation.

Steps

Step 1: Open your assembly file

- SolidWorks main window

Your assembly model is displayed on screen

Step 2: Click

- Insert menu > Tables > Bill of Materials

The Bill of Materials PropertyManager opens on the left side

Step 3: Select

- Table type options in the PropertyManager

You choose the BOM style such as 'Top-level only' or 'Indented'

💡 Use 'Indented' to see sub-assemblies and their parts nested

Step 4: Pick

- Anchor point on your drawing or assembly view

The BOM table appears attached to the selected location

Step 5: Customize

- BOM table header cells

You can add or remove columns like Part Number, Description, Quantity

💡 Right-click the BOM header to add custom properties

Step 6: Save or export

- Right-click BOM table > Save As or Export

You can save the BOM as Excel, CSV, or PDF file for sharing

Before vs After

Before

Assembly drawing shows parts visually but no list of components

After

A table appears listing all parts with quantities and descriptions

Settings Reference

Table Type

📍 Bill of Materials PropertyManager

Defines how parts and sub-assemblies are listed in the BOM

Default: Top-level only

Include Hidden Components

📍 Bill of Materials PropertyManager

Decides if hidden parts appear in the BOM

Default: No

Custom Properties Columns

📍 BOM table header right-click menu

Allows adding extra information columns to the BOM

Default: Part Number, Description, Quantity

Export Format

📍 Right-click BOM table > Save As

Choose the file format for saving or sharing the BOM

Default: Excel (.xlsx)

Common Mistakes

Selecting 'Top-level only' BOM when you need detailed sub-assembly parts

This option hides parts inside sub-assemblies, missing details

Choose 'Indented' BOM type to show all parts including sub-assemblies

Not adding custom properties columns to BOM

Important info like part numbers or materials may be missing

Right-click BOM header and add needed columns before exporting

Trying to export BOM without selecting the table first

Export options only appear when BOM table is selected

Click on BOM table to activate it, then right-click to export

Summary

Bill of Materials (BOM) lists all parts and quantities in your assembly clearly.

You can choose BOM styles to show top-level or detailed sub-assembly parts.

Customize columns and export BOM for sharing with teams or documentation.

Practice

1.

What is the primary purpose of a Bill of Materials (BOM) in SolidWorks?

easy

A. To list all parts and quantities needed for a product

B. To create 3D models of parts

C. To simulate product movement

D. To generate technical drawings automatically

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand BOM definition

   A BOM is a list that details all parts and quantities required to build a product.

2. Step 2: Compare options with BOM purpose

   Only To list all parts and quantities needed for a product correctly describes the BOM's role in listing parts and quantities.

3. Final Answer:

   To list all parts and quantities needed for a product -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   BOM = List of parts and quantities [OK]

Hint: BOM always lists parts and quantities, not models or simulations [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing BOM with 3D modeling or simulation
• Thinking BOM creates drawings automatically
• Assuming BOM is only for assembly instructions

2.

Which menu path in SolidWorks is used to insert a Bill of Materials table?

Choose the correct sequence.

easy

A. Tools > BOM > Insert Table

B. Insert > Tables > Bill of Materials

C. File > New > Bill of Materials

D. View > Tables > BOM

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall SolidWorks menu for BOM

   The correct menu path to insert a BOM is under Insert > Tables > Bill of Materials.

2. Step 2: Verify other options

   Options A, B, and D do not match the correct menu sequence for BOM insertion.

3. Final Answer:

   Insert > Tables > Bill of Materials -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Insert > Tables > BOM = Correct menu path [OK]

Hint: BOM is under Insert > Tables, not File or Tools [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Looking under File or Tools menus
• Confusing BOM insertion with drawing creation
• Selecting View menu instead of Insert

3.

Given an assembly with 3 parts: Part A (2 units), Part B (4 units), and Part C (1 unit), what will the quantity column show in the BOM?

Choose the correct quantities for each part.

medium

A. Part A: 2, Part B: 4, Part C: 1

B. Part A: 1, Part B: 1, Part C: 1

C. Part A: 3, Part B: 4, Part C: 2

D. Part A: 2, Part B: 2, Part C: 1

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify quantities from assembly

   The assembly specifies Part A has 2 units, Part B has 4 units, and Part C has 1 unit.

2. Step 2: Match quantities to BOM output

   The BOM quantity column reflects the exact counts of each part in the assembly.

3. Final Answer:

   Part A: 2, Part B: 4, Part C: 1 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Quantities match assembly counts [OK]

Hint: BOM quantity matches assembly part counts exactly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming all quantities default to 1
• Adding quantities incorrectly
• Mixing up part counts

4.

When generating a BOM, a user notices the quantity column shows all 1s, even though some parts have multiple units. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The BOM is set to 'Parts Only' instead of 'Top-level only'

B. The assembly is missing part references

C. The BOM is set to 'Top-level only' instead of 'Parts Only'

D. The drawing sheet is not active

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand BOM quantity settings

   'Top-level only' BOM counts each part once regardless of quantity, showing 1 for all.

2. Step 2: Identify correct setting for quantities

   Setting BOM to 'Parts Only' aggregates quantities correctly, showing actual counts.

3. Final Answer:

   The BOM is set to 'Top-level only' instead of 'Parts Only' -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   BOM setting affects quantity display [OK]

Hint: Use 'Parts Only' BOM to show correct quantities [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing 'Top-level only' with 'Parts Only'
• Assuming missing references cause quantity errors
• Not checking BOM property settings

5.

You want to create a BOM that updates automatically when parts are added or removed from your assembly. Which approach should you take?

Choose the best practice for dynamic BOM updates.

hard

A. Manually create a BOM in Excel and update it after changes

B. Create BOM only after finalizing the assembly to avoid updates

C. Export BOM once and reuse the static file for all assemblies

D. Insert a linked BOM table in the assembly drawing that updates with changes

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand dynamic BOM update methods

   Linked BOM tables in SolidWorks drawings update automatically when assembly changes.

2. Step 2: Evaluate options for best practice

   Manual Excel or static exports do not update automatically; waiting until final assembly delays updates.

3. Final Answer:

   Insert a linked BOM table in the assembly drawing that updates with changes -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Linked BOM = automatic updates [OK]

Hint: Use linked BOM tables for automatic update in drawings [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Relying on manual Excel BOMs
• Using static exports that don't update
• Delaying BOM creation until assembly is final