SOLIDWORKS PDM Major and Minor Revision Numbering System

In this article, we are going to look at how to implement a SOLIDWORKS PDM Revision Numbering System, that incorporates both minor and major revisions.

Review our previous article for a complete guide to increment a revision number via a workflow

How to create a SOLIDWORKS PDM Revision Numbering System for major and minor revisions

For this example, we’re going to create a system that uses uppercase alphabetical for major revisions, and numerical for a minor revision.  For example = A-01, B-01, C-01, C-02, C-03 etc.

First, we have to create our revision numbering components…

• Administration Tool > Revisions > Revision Number Components
  • Right-Click >  New Component…

Revision Number Components

Next, we have to create the Revision Number System…

• Administration Tool > Revisions > Revision numbers
  • Right-Click >  New revision number…
    • Add the revision number components we created in the previous step

Revision Number System

Now we have to implement this into the workflow.  In the appropriate workflow and state;

• Administration Tool > Workflows > [Workflow Name]

Incorporate into a workflow

On the state where the revision is first applied:

For this example the ‘Approved’ state

• Properties > Revision Numbers
  • Add the new revision number system
    • Leave the ‘Increment by’ and the ‘Reset to’ values blank
      • Save the workflow

Clear increment by on revision state

In the transition preceding the state where the revision is first applied;

For this example the ‘Passed Approval’ transition

• Properties > Revision Numbers
  • Add the new revision number system
    • For both revision number components; set the ‘Reset to’ vault to 1

When files first enter this state, the revision will be set to A-01

In the transition preceding the state where the revision is first applied reset the revision components to 1

Now, we need to increment the appropriate revision in the corresponding state;

For the ‘Major Rev Change’ transition

• Properties > Revision Numbers
  • For the Major Rev Component set the value to increment by 1

Major Rev Change transition

For the ‘Minor Rev Change’ transition

• Properties > Revision Numbers
  • For the Minor Rev Component set the value to increment by 1

Minor Rev Component

• Save and close the workflow.

As with any change in the vault; it’s imperative to test any changes thoroughly before implementing.  This is a great example of a change that should be implemented in a sandbox vault, ahead of the production vault.

Test thoroughly